Trinidad and Tobago’s hospitals are transforming patient care through new telemedicine services and health service robots that expand access, reduce frontline risks, and strengthen support for vulnerable communities. Elderly patients, persons with disabilities, and Spanish-speaking populations are among the many now benefiting from more inclusive and responsive health services.
These advances stem from the ‘Bringing High and Low Technology (HALT) Project’, supported by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), and implemented by the Ministry of Health in partnership with PAHO/WHO, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, and regional health authorities.
The HALT Project emerged during the height of COVID-19, when health facilities faced unprecedented strain from limited resources, overcrowding, and the need to protect medical personnel.
Responding to these challenges, the project introduced a package of digital and operational innovations that strengthened the health system during the pandemic and laid the foundation for long-term resilience.
A central achievement was the rollout of telemedicine services, allowing medical professionals to conduct remote consultations, maintain continuity of care, and reach underserved and high-risk groups.
Ten pilot sites across all five Regional Health Authorities were equipped with ICT systems, training programmes, and standardized protocols. This created a unified model for the integration of digital health into national service delivery frameworks, particularly valuable during periods when in-person visits were restricted.
The deployment of eight state-of-the-art Health Service Robots (HSRs) marked another milestone. Two disinfecting robots and six humanoid service robots now support hospitals by conducting preliminary patient registration, communication, and evaluation, reducing direct exposure for healthcare workers.
Representing the first fleet of its kind in the Caribbean, these robots place Trinidad and Tobago at the forefront of digital health transformation in the region.
Capacity development was a key driver of success.
Fifty-eight health professionals were trained in robot operation, maintenance, and programming, supported by a comprehensive ‘Change Management and Communication Strategy’ to ensure smooth integration into hospital workflows.
Training modules on telehealth practices, data security, and patient-use guidelines further strengthened institutional readiness. Complementary low-technology interventions – such as the distribution of 44,000 washable masks and installation of 50 accessible hand hygiene stations – enhanced protection for communities during the pandemic.
South-South cooperation played a decisive role in shaping the initiative.
Drawing on Rwanda’s pioneering use of health service robots, Trinidad and Tobago engaged in peer exchanges on procurement, commissioning, and daily operations. Lessons shared by Rwanda informed local planning and adaptation, underscoring how collaboration among developing countries accelerates innovation and reduces learning curves.
With more than 200,000 people benefiting from improved services and protective measures, the HALT Project has made a lasting contribution to national healthcare resilience.
A Technical Working Group – bringing together the Ministry of Health, universities, and regional health authorities – has been established to guide continued integration and expansion. Plans are also underway to extend the digital health model to additional facilities and explore opportunities to scale innovations across the wider Caribbean.
By combining technology, training, and South-South learning, the HALT Project advances progress on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Above all, it demonstrates how innovation supported by solidarity can protect lives, empower health workers, and set new standards for resilient health systems in the Global South.
