Liberty Caribbean, the prominent telecommunications provider operating under the Flow and Liberty Business brands, recently wrapped up its North Caribbean Leadership Summit in St. Maarten. The event brought together senior executives and business leaders from key markets, including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, the Cayman Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis, the British Virgin Islands, Turks & Caicos, Montserrat, and St. Maarten. Held at the Sonesta Resort and Conference Centre, the multi-day summit focused on two primary objectives: enhancing customer service excellence and fostering adaptive leadership to ensure sustainable regional growth. Participants collaborated on actionable strategies to leverage connectivity for tangible community benefits, such as improved healthcare, education, and business opportunities. A central theme of the discussions was the importance of people and leadership, with an emphasis on talent development, retention, and a stakeholder-centric approach to meet evolving customer needs. Susanna O’Sullivan, Vice President for the North Caribbean at Liberty Caribbean, highlighted the company’s commitment to empowering communities and enabling economic opportunities. She stated, ‘This summit has produced a clear, actionable roadmap focused on partnerships, operational discipline, and innovation to deliver reliable, future-ready connectivity.’ Over the coming months, Liberty Caribbean will implement the summit’s outcomes across the region, prioritizing initiatives that drive measurable impact and reinforce its role as a trusted partner in digital transformation. With a legacy spanning over 150 years, Liberty Caribbean continues to provide robust networks and tailored solutions, supporting economic growth in an increasingly digital world.
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Weak primary health care threatens lives and economies –PAHO Lancet Regional Health Commission report
A groundbreaking report by the World Bank and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), titled *No Time to Wait: Resilience as the Cornerstone of Primary Health Care in Latin America and the Caribbean*, has issued a stark warning about the region’s fragile primary health care (PHC) systems. Released during PAHO’s 62nd Directing Council in Washington, D.C., the report highlights the dire consequences of failing to bolster PHC resilience, projecting up to 165,000 preventable deaths and economic losses ranging from $7 to $37 billion in the event of a health crisis. These losses could include 11,300 maternal deaths, 10,000 child deaths, and over 149,000 fatalities from noncommunicable diseases, alongside 14 million unintended pregnancies. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the region’s vulnerabilities, with Latin America and the Caribbean accounting for 30% of global COVID-19 deaths despite representing only 8.5% of the world’s population. Essential health services, such as maternal care, childhood immunization, and chronic disease treatment, plummeted by up to 50%, with some countries experiencing prolonged disruptions. The region’s susceptibility to natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and vector-borne outbreaks, further exacerbates the crisis. The report emphasizes that resilience—defined as the ability to maintain essential services equitably before, during, and after shocks—is not a luxury but a necessity for health security, social stability, and economic growth. To address these challenges, the Commission proposes a five-point action plan: expanding equitable care models, embedding public health functions within PHC, centering communities in decision-making, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and securing sustainable financing. The report serves as a clarion call for governments to prioritize PHC resilience, invest urgently, and ensure universal coverage to safeguard lives and economies.
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The AT&LU is considering the creation of a credit union for its members
The Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) is exploring the establishment of a credit union to provide its members with greater financial stability amid rising inflation and economic uncertainty. President Bernard de Nully unveiled the initiative during the union’s 86th Annual Conference, emphasizing its potential to address wage violations, inadequate pension payments, and the escalating cost of living. De Nully described the proposal as a dual-purpose strategy: a practical solution to current economic challenges and a means to strengthen solidarity within the labor movement. He stressed the urgency of the plan, stating, ‘The time is now,’ and highlighted how a member-owned financial institution could offer affordable services and support retirement planning. The president also cautioned that Social Security contributions alone would be insufficient to ensure timely pensions in the coming decade, urging delegates to back measures that enhance worker protections and financial security. The credit union proposal was announced alongside recent wage negotiations, including a 14% increase for non-established workers, reflecting the union’s commitment to delivering tangible benefits and exploring innovative support mechanisms for its members.
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Grenada leads regional charge with PAHO HEARTS initiative
Grenada has reached a significant milestone in its battle against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by achieving the national scaleup of the PAHO HEARTS initiative. NCDs, which accounted for over 80% of deaths in Grenada in 2019, remain a pressing public health challenge. Cardiovascular diseases dominate the leading causes of mortality, with hypertension and diabetes contributing significantly to chronic illness. Risk factors such as obesity and physical inactivity persist at alarming levels.
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Dr. Mareba Scott Appointed Executive Director of Antigua and Barbuda’s Environmental Awareness Group
The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), Antigua and Barbuda’s premier environmental non-governmental organization, has announced the appointment of Dr. Mareba M. Scott as its new Executive Director. Founded in 1989, the EAG has earned international acclaim for its groundbreaking conservation initiatives, most notably the restoration of Redonda Island, which transformed a desolate, eroded terrain into a flourishing wildlife sanctuary. This project is celebrated as one of the most successful island restoration efforts globally. Dr. Scott, a seasoned sustainability leader with extensive expertise in Caribbean environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and program management, steps into her role with a clear vision to expand the EAG’s global partnerships, enhance fundraising capabilities, and scale transformative projects that benefit both people and wildlife. ‘The EAG has an unparalleled reputation for conservation excellence,’ Dr. Scott remarked. ‘I am deeply honored to lead this incredible organization as we build on its legacy of impact.’ The EAG Board of Directors expressed unanimous enthusiasm for Dr. Scott’s appointment, with President Jermaine Jarvis highlighting her proven ability to engage partners and mobilize resources. Dr. Scott’s prior roles include serving as a Director on the Board of the CARICOM Climate Change Centre, Governing Council Member of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, and Co-Chair of the Caribbean Blue Flag Programme. Over the past two decades, she has successfully managed multi-million-dollar project portfolios, fostering high-level donor relationships to support tourism, disaster risk management, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods across the Caribbean. As Executive Director, Dr. Scott will oversee the EAG’s six core program areas: strategic management, human resources, fundraising, partnership and donor management, operations and financial management, and technical program oversight. Central to her role will be continuing the EAG’s tradition of collaboration with donors, government agencies, NGOs, communities, educators, and the public while expanding its international influence. The EAG remains committed to its mission of protecting and preserving Antigua and Barbuda’s natural heritage. With Dr. Scott at the helm, the organization is poised to deepen its impact, championing conservation, empowering communities, and safeguarding the well-being of both people and wildlife. The future holds immense promise for growth, collaboration, and lasting change, ensuring a thriving legacy for generations to come.
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Major sewer main breach in the south of the island
The National Water and Sewerage Authority (Nawasa) has issued a public advisory following a significant sewer main breach in the Grand Anse area, near Excel Plaza. The incident occurred during ongoing pipe-laying works under the UKCIF Southern St George’s Water Supply Expansion Project. The breached sewer line, which transports sewage from the Morne Rouge catchment to the Maurice Bishop Highway, has caused leakage from three of Nawasa’s four pump stations in the Grand Anse system. Emergency repairs are currently in progress to mitigate environmental and public health risks.
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Antigua and Barbuda Signs Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2031 with PAHO/WHO
Antigua and Barbuda has reaffirmed its dedication to regional health and unity by signing the Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy (MCCS) 2026–2031 for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries. The signing ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., coincided with the 62nd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Representing the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Senator Michael Joseph, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, formalized the agreement alongside Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kamaria DeCastro. Senator Joseph emphasized the region’s critical juncture, highlighting the dual challenges of non-communicable diseases and infectious threats, exacerbated by climate-related disasters. Despite high life expectancy, health equity gaps persist due to income inequality, vulnerabilities among marginalized groups, and systemic issues like workforce shortages and financing constraints. To address these, governments have bolstered primary health care, advanced national health insurance, and invested in climate-resilient infrastructure. The MCCS outlines five strategic priorities and sixteen deliverables, focusing on equitable resource distribution, sustainable financing, and health data strengthening. The Strategy also symbolizes a renewed commitment to inclusive, people-centered health systems, aligning with PAHO and WHO goals. The signing holds added significance as September marks the anniversaries of several Caribbean nations joining PAHO in the 1980s, reflecting a legacy of regional solidarity. The Ministry of Health extended gratitude to PAHO/WHO and regional partners for their contributions to this forward-looking initiative.
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Nawasa addresses major blockage at Green Bridge sewer outfall
The National Water and Sewerage Authority (Nawasa) has issued a public advisory regarding a significant disruption affecting the St. George’s Sewerage Network. The blockage, primarily caused by the improper disposal of foreign objects and excessive grease, has severely impacted the system’s efficiency and created operational challenges. Residents and commuters in the Green Bridge area may encounter unpleasant odours as a result of the ongoing issue.
Nawasa has swiftly mobilized its technical team to address the problem, deploying necessary resources to the site. Sewage disposal operations at the Green Bridge Disposal Facility have been temporarily halted to facilitate corrective measures. Over the coming days, the public can expect an increased presence of Nawasa personnel, including divers and specialized equipment, as efforts intensify to resolve the blockage.
The authority has urged the public to adhere to on-site precautionary measures and emphasized the importance of proper waste disposal practices. Indiscriminate disposal of grease, solid waste, and other materials into the sewer network not only disrupts the system but also adversely affects the broader community.
Nawasa has reassured the public that every effort is being made to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. The authority expressed gratitude for the community’s patience and cooperation during this challenging period.
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The UWI Five Islands Campus Receives Continuing Registration Status from ABNAB
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus has achieved a significant milestone by receiving continuing registration status from the Antigua and Barbuda National Accreditation Board (ABNAB). This accreditation, granted in September 2025, validates the campus’s adherence to the highest educational standards and allows it to operate until 2027. Established in 2019, the Five Islands Campus is the fifth in the UWI system and has quickly become a cornerstone of higher education in Antigua and Barbuda and the wider OECS region. Principal Professor C. Justin Robinson emphasized the campus’s dedication to maintaining UWI’s legacy of academic excellence, particularly as a modern institution tailored for the digital age. Campus Registrar Dr. Camille Samuel highlighted the rigorous post-pandemic efforts to meet elevated standards, ensuring a seamless transition back to full face-to-face learning. ABNAB praised the campus for its commitment to quality education, marking this achievement as a pivotal step in advancing higher education in the region. The campus offers over 40 degree programs across four schools and houses the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), underscoring its focus on marine science and sustainable development. This recognition reaffirms UWI Five Islands’ role as a beacon of educational excellence in the Caribbean.
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Peso Power: Building Local Capital Before Global Capital
The narrative of Dominican startups is frequently misrepresented. Typically, the story begins with a flashy investment from Miami or New York, followed by media attention and photo opportunities. Only then do people question whether the company can truly operate in pesos, withstand tax audits, or assemble a reliable operations team that won’t abandon ship for the next lucrative opportunity. The reality, however, is far more challenging: peso power is not a luxury—it’s the cornerstone of Dominican entrepreneurship. While dollar investments may bring prestige, it’s the peso that ensures survival.