In the wake of a recent earthquake that struck Colombia, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has activated a rapid monitoring protocol focused on its citizens currently in the South American nation for medical treatment. Oversight of the response is being led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, which moved quickly to establish contact with local stakeholders to gather on-the-ground information.
Immediately after news of the earthquake broke, ministry officials reached out directly to the Colombian hospitals treating Antiguan and Barbudan patients, as well as the residential facilities hosting patients and their family companions. The primary goal of these outreach efforts was to confirm the safety and status of all citizens, and guarantee that all required support would be mobilized if needed.
Preliminary reports from the ground paint a stable picture for Antigua and Barbuda’s patients. While hospitals are currently operating with reduced, skeleton staffing in the aftermath of the seismic event, medical operations have not halted, and life-sustaining and scheduled care for the Caribbean nation’s patients remains completely uninterrupted. Prearranged treatment plans are continuing as scheduled with no disruptions reported.
The accommodation facilities used by Antiguan and Barbudan patients and their travel companions have also fared well, with official assessments confirming only minimal structural damage in some locations and no damage in others. All facilities remain fully operational, and continue to house the citizens without major interruption to daily operations.
Recognizing that news of a natural disaster in a country where loved ones are receiving medical care is likely to trigger anxiety and concern among families back in Antigua and Barbuda, the ministry has committed to maintaining constant, open lines of communication with local Colombian partners. Officials will continue to track the evolving situation around the clock to identify any emerging risks.
Honourable Michael Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, emphasized that the safety and well-being of Antiguan and Barbudan citizens receiving care overseas is the government’s top immediate priority in the wake of the earthquake.
“I am reassured by the reports we have received that our patients are still accessing all the medical care they need, and that the housing facilities for our citizens have remained largely untouched by the earthquake,” Joseph stated. “We will maintain ongoing communication with our on-the-ground partners, and stand ready to take any appropriate action if the situation shifts in the coming hours or days.”
Moving forward, the ministry will continue to coordinate closely with Colombian healthcare providers and accommodation operators to receive real-time updates, and will evaluate any new developments that could impact the Antiguan and Barbudan patients in the country. The ministry also offered its solidarity and well wishes to the people and government of Colombia, who are now engaged in urgent emergency response and early recovery operations following the seismic event. The ministry has committed to releasing additional public updates if any significant developments occur that require notification of the Antiguan and Barbudan public.