Overview

There are several diseases that are transmitted by insects or other organisms in Trinidad and Tobago that are potentially hazardous to the health of citizens. Some of these diseases include dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and hairy-moth infestation (causes allergic skin reactions and respiratory ailments). Insects, animals or other organisms that are capable of spreading disease to humans are called vectors.

The Ministry of Health provides immunization services at no charge to residents of Trinidad and Tobago through its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). Click on the topics below to learn more about vaccines and vaccine safety.

The mission of the Audiology Services is to promote the hearing health of the population of Trinidad and Tobago through the promotion of:

The mission of the Health Education Division is to educate, through the provision of information and skills, to enable individuals and communities to take responsibility for their health and to mobilize communities for the creation of an environment which promotes wellness. The Health Education Division is responsible for the facilitation of the following activities:

Hansen's Disease

Hansen’s disease, commonly called leprosy, is a slightly infectious, chronic disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. This germ was discovered in Bergen, Norway in 1873 by Dr. Gerhard Armauer Hansen. The germ attacks mainly the skin, nerves and mucus membranes.

The External Patient Programme was established in 2014 and aims at ensuring quality and timely healthcare to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago in partnership with the Regional Health Authorities through a Public Private Initiative.

The County Medical Officer of Health plays an important role in public health at the Ministry of Health. There are nine (9) County Medical Officers of Health based at various offices across the country. Their main responsibilities are to:

The Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) provides citizens with free prescription drugs and other pharmaceutical items to combat the following health conditions:

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Cardiac Diseases
• Arthritis
• Glaucoma
• Mental Depression
• High Blood Pressure
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Enlarged Prostate)
• Epilepsy
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Thyroid diseases

There are over 250 pharmacies throughout the country that provide medications through CDAP.

Actions related to Chemistry, Food an Drugs is overseen by the Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division of the Ministry of Health

The mission of the Chemistry Food and Drugs Division is to: