In Trinidad and Tobago, a developing nation in the
Caribbean, the prevalence of T2DM is very high,
with a rate that places it among the top six countries
in the Americas. Survey and audit data from the
primary healthcare services have identified that the
current approach to combating the T2DM epidemic
has not worked. These services, although extremely
successful in the ‘classical’ public health paradigm
where immunisation and maternal and child health
services are provided, fails in the case of chronic
disease and mental health (itself a chronic disease).
This article argues for a shift to a greater patientcentred
approach to better tackle diabetes and depression
in the public healthcare system in Trinidad
and Tobago.