Tracking Viruses Better: New National Reference Lab Opening Soon

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – In partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank, the Ministry of Health on Monday toured the new facility set to house the country’s National Reference Laboratory.

For many, the project represents lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, when The Bahamas did not have full in-country capacity for advanced testing such as genetic sequencing.

Now, that’s changing, with a new facility equipped to expand those capabilities.

Dr. Indira Martin – Director, National Reference Lab

“For the country, this is a moment because again we are the lab that, for example, did the COVID testing during the pandemic. If there’s another pandemic that involves a virus, it will be us again. And we are also branching out to other diagnostics of public health significance in the lab as we are able to grow in this facility. So it’s a really positive moment, I think, for the country, even beyond the walls of the lab, in that it allows us to direct our attention to diseases of public health significance in The Bahamas toward the greater health of our people in general.”

The facility, which will employ a team of twelve, is expected to expand the country’s ability to detect, track, and respond to viruses faster and more effectively.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, samples often had to be sent abroad for advanced analysis.

With those new capabilities now available in-country, health officials say The Bahamas will be better prepared for future outbreaks.

National Reference Lab Director is Dr. Indira Martin.

Dr. Indira Martin – Director, National Reference Lab

“We’re going to be able to bring those capacities to this lab space now. In addition, as I spoke to, we are currently sequencing for COVID-19 as well as influenza variants. We’re about to expand that to dengue, looking at the very strain of dengue in-country. And more importantly, we’re going to use this data to not only look at the strains, but actually compile a picture of how viruses are moving through the Bahamian archipelago. That will allow us, from a policy standpoint, to be able to intervene and hopefully more readily address any virus coming into the country.”

Officials said that kind of data will help them not just respond to illness, but also better anticipate how diseases move through the islands, allowing for faster and more targeted public health action.

The facility is nearly ready, but there are still some final steps before full operation begins.

Dr. Indira Martin – Director, National Reference Lab

“We’re hoping as soon as possible—ideally it would be tomorrow—but I know that right now we’re just waiting for our furniture to be moved in, and we are also waiting for movers to bring our equipment from our other location where we are currently. So we’re grateful, actually, that it’s moved as quickly as it has, still with the minister and his team.”

For Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville, the transition must be carefully managed, ensuring no interruption in critical lab services.

Dr. Michael Darville – Minister of Health

“We’re looking for Dr. Martin and the team to be in this facility by the end of May at the latest. All the licenses have been approved, the construction work is complete, and the process of moving from one location to the next is strategic because you don’t want to shut the lab down completely. So we’re moving in phases so that the lab remains open while they are making a transition into this new space.”

Costing just under two million dollars, the IDB-funded facility is part of a broader effort to strengthen local health systems. Country representative is Shirley Gayle.

Shirley Gayle – Country Rep, IDB

“We just took a tour—the place is looking very, very good. The furnishings are supposed to come in in a few weeks, and then the equipment, and it will be fully operational. This is part of a full program of support that the bank is providing to The Bahamas to strengthen health systems, to strengthen health management, so that the bank supports health policy as well as health infrastructure. And we look forward to continuing working with the government and the people of The Bahamas in this critical sector.”

With final equipment moves now underway, health officials said that the country’s National Reference Lab is expected to open its doors in the coming weeks.