On August 5, 2026, in St. John’s, Antigua, a long-standing public-private healthcare partnership delivered critical, life-saving support to a local resident facing a rare and urgent cardiac need. The Calvin Ayre Foundation (CAF), a prominent local philanthropic organization, joined forces with Antigua’s Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) to clear all financial and logistical barriers for Ulysis James, who required immediate specialized cardiac intervention unavailable on the island.
James’ medical crisis began when he suffered an acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction—more commonly known as a severe heart attack—and was quickly admitted to the island’s main public healthcare facility, Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. While the local clinical team delivered timely and appropriate emergency care that stabilized James’ condition, he later developed recurring chest pain. Follow-up clinical evaluations confirmed that he needed advanced, specialized cardiac procedures that Antigua’s domestic healthcare system is not currently equipped to provide. After a full review of his case, James’ care team formally referred him to the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Martinique, a leading Caribbean regional center for advanced cardiac care, to receive the urgent procedure he needed.
To ensure James could travel to Martinique without life-threatening delays, the two partner organizations split the costs of his care: MBS, Antigua’s public health insurance body, approved full funding to cover all expenses related to the surgical and clinical treatment itself, while the Calvin Ayre Foundation stepped in to cover all of James’ travel-related medical costs, a gap in public coverage that would have otherwise created unnecessary barriers to timely care. This combined support eliminated all financial burdens on James’ family, allowing them to focus entirely on his recovery rather than fundraising for urgent care.
Shereen James Galloway, James’ daughter, spoke publicly about the experience to share her family’s profound gratitude for the coordinated support they received. “The support we received went far beyond financial assistance. The kindness, compassion and professionalism shown by the Calvin Ayre Foundation, CalvinAir, EMT Jeremias Samuel, and everyone involved made an incredibly difficult journey so much easier for our family. They gave us hope when we needed it most, and we will always be grateful,” she said.
Patrice Jacobs, Media and Production Associate at the Calvin Ayre Foundation, emphasized that this case is part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to removing financial barriers to critical care for Antiguan and Barbudan residents. “Medical emergencies often require swift action, and we’re proud to work alongside the Medical Benefits Scheme to help patients receive specialised treatment when it is not available locally. Every successful transfer represents another opportunity for hope and recovery,” Jacobs explained.
As James prepares for his procedure in Martinique, the Calvin Ayre Foundation has issued a formal statement extending its best wishes to James and his entire family, expressing hope for a successful intervention and a complete, full recovery. This latest successful collaboration between CAF and MBS underscores the value of cross-sector healthcare partnerships in small island developing states, where local healthcare capacity is often limited for highly specialized interventions. By combining public funding for clinical care with philanthropic support for travel costs, the partnership ensures that no resident is denied life-saving care simply because it is not available domestically.