Health systems' resilience: COVID-19 response in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Trinidad and Tobago, a small island developing state, has been ranked as number one in a report published by the University of Oxford that assessed responses to COVID-19 based on four of the six WHO criteria for rolling back COVID-19 "lockdown"measures. The key mitigation and containment strategies implemented by the country were evidence-informed and demonstrated an "all-of-government"approach. The COVID-19 health system response of this country demonstrates that although developing countries face many health system challenges, political will, evidenceinformed decision-making, respect for science, and timely, coordinated, collaborative actions can strengthen the resilience and response of the health system during a health emergency.