Public Health
What Are Public Health Inspectors?
Public Health Inspectors, members of the Primary Health Care Team approach, function under the Environmental Health Division of the Ministry of Health. Their role in preventative medicine include being committed to monitor, regulate, improve, maintain and adequately safeguard the public health and environmental health of Trinidad and Tobago.
Pharmacy / Drug Inspection
Core Function of the Pharmacy / Drug Inspectorate:
Includes reviewing, approving and registering drugs (antibiotics and narcotics) for the use in the country, ongoing monitoring and surveillance of these drugs, maintenance of drug formulary, monitoring for adverse effects regarding drugs etc. It also provides an optimal level of pharmaceutical care by monitoring and ensuring the proper use of effective, affordable, quality drugs (antibiotics and narcotics), equitable availability and accessibility to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
Nutrition And Metabolism
The mission of the Nutrition and Metabolism Division of the Ministry of Health is to promote healthy lifestyles by providing high quality nutrition education, through sustainable and evidence-based public health nutrition programmes & dietetic services to the population of Trinidad and Tobago, guided by established policies and best-practice standards.
Vaccines and Immunization
Health Education
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 Control Programme
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.
External Patient Programme
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.
County Medical Officers of Health
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:
