In the wake of a newly reported earthquake in Colombia, the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has activated a monitoring protocol through its Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, focusing its efforts on a vulnerable group: Antiguan and Barbudan citizens currently traveling to Colombia for ongoing medical treatment.
Immediately after news of the seismic event broke, government officials moved to establish direct contact with two key stakeholder groups: the Colombian hospitals delivering care to Antiguan and Barbudan patients, and the residential facilities housing both the patients and their family companions. The priority of this initial outreach was to confirm the health and safety of the island nation’s citizens, and to verify that critical support systems remained functional in the disaster’s aftermath.
Preliminary assessments returned reassuring news for the Antigua and Barbuda government. While participating hospitals are operating with reduced skeleton workforces following the earthquake, they have maintained all core medical services, and the scheduled treatment regimens for Antiguan and Barbudan patients have not experienced any interruptions. Equally positive updates came from the accommodation sites: properties sustained little to no structural damage, remain fully operational, and have continued to house the citizens without major disruption to daily routines.
Recognizing that news of a natural disaster in a country where family members are receiving care will inevitably trigger anxiety among relatives back in Antigua and Barbuda, the Ministry has committed to sustained, transparent communication. Officials will maintain constant contact with on-ground healthcare and accommodation partners, and continue tracking any emerging developments closely.
Speaking on the government’s response, Honourable Michael Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, emphasized that the welfare of overseas patients remains the administration’s top immediate priority. “I am pleased that based on the information received, our patients continue to receive the care they require and that the facilities accommodating our citizens remain largely unaffected,” Joseph stated. “We will continue to stay in contact with our partners on the ground and will respond appropriately should circumstances change.”
The Ministry will continue to coordinate with Colombian providers as new updates emerge, and conduct ongoing risk assessments for any developments that could impact the Antiguan and Barbudan patients receiving treatment in the country. In a gesture of regional solidarity, the Ministry also extended its solidarity and well wishes to the Colombian people, who are now engaged in urgent emergency response and early recovery operations following the earthquake. Additional public updates will be released promptly if any significant developments occur that require notification of the Antigua and Barbuda public.