Carib Scope

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  • REOI: Consultancy Services for Environmental Health and Safety Officer (EHSO)

    REOI: Consultancy Services for Environmental Health and Safety Officer (EHSO)

    The Government of Grenada has secured multilateral financing to advance its ambitious Grenada Geothermal Drilling Project, an initiative designed to expand the Caribbean nation’s renewable energy capacity and boost its climate resilience goals. Implemented by the country’s Ministry of Climate Resilience, the Environment and Renewable Energy and overseen by the dedicated Geothermal Project Management Unit (GPMU), the project will carry out exploration drilling at two pre-selected sites. Both locations are situated on private agricultural land in the northern region of Grenada’s main island: Site C in Tricolar, St Patrick Parish, and Site F at Plaisance Estate in St John Parish.

    As a project supported by multiple lending institutions, the initiative is bound by a rigorous set of international environmental and social safeguard frameworks. These include the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) official review protocols, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) safeguard policies, and the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) widely recognized Performance Standards. The project scope covers civil engineering works and core exploration drilling, both of which will be procured via international competitive bidding, alongside a suite of contracted consultancy and individual specialist roles. All procurement activities follow the CDB’s established procurement guidelines for funded projects, aligned with Grenada’s domestic national procurement legislation. In cases where the two regulatory frameworks conflict, the terms of the relevant financing agreement take precedence.

    To ensure full adherence to all environmental, health and safety requirements during the project’s active phases, the executing ministry has launched a search for a qualified consultant to fill the role of dedicated Environmental Health and Safety Officer (EHSO). The core objective of this consultancy is to act as the GPMU’s central point of responsibility for all EHSO matters, with a mandate to guarantee the project complies with all approved regulatory documents throughout the civil works and exploration drilling stages. These requirements include the original Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), the updated ESIA, finalized Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), all relevant Grenadian national laws, and the mandatory standards set by the project’s lending partners.

    The contracted EHSO will be employed on a full-time basis for an initial term of two years, with adjustments possible to align with evolving project needs. The ministry is now calling for expressions of interest from eligible individual consultants who meet the required qualification and experience benchmarks to deliver the services outlined.

    When evaluating submitted expressions of interest, the selection panel will prioritize candidates with a proven track record of successful delivery on comparable assignments. The mandatory qualifications for the role are as follows: candidates must hold either a bachelor’s degree paired with 10 years of relevant professional experience, or a postgraduate degree paired with at least 5 years of relevant experience, in a field such as environmental science, environmental engineering, occupational health and safety, or another closely related discipline. Candidates must also demonstrate hands-on experience carrying out EHS monitoring and implementing ESMPs in active project environments, with preference given to applicants with experience in the extractive, energy, or construction sectors. Additional requirements include a demonstrated working knowledge of occupational health and safety management systems and practices tailored to construction and drilling operations. Strong preference will be given to candidates already familiar with IFC Performance Standards or equivalent multilateral development bank safeguard frameworks, and prior experience working on geothermal or extractive industry project operations will be considered a distinct advantage.

    All application materials must be submitted in English. Interested candidates can access full project details, including the complete Terms of Reference for the role, via the In-Tend public procurement portal. General queries will be answered between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, with responses issued within three working days of receipt.

    Completed expressions of interest must be submitted exclusively through the In-Tend portal, and must be received no later than Friday, 7 August 2026. All submissions must include the applicant’s full name and contact address, and be clearly marked with the text: “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services for Environmental Health and Safety Officer (EHSO)” to avoid misclassification.

    After the evaluation process is completed, the candidate assessed as having the strongest technical capabilities and most relevant experience will be invited to enter into contract negotiations with the ministry. The Government of Grenada retains full legal rights to accept or reject any late submissions, to cancel the current call for expressions of interest either partially or in full, and is not obligated to provide any justification for its decision to select or reject any applicant. The government will also not cover any costs incurred by applicants during the preparation and submission of their expressions of interest.

    Submissions are addressed to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Resilience and Renewable Energy, located at the Ministerial Complex, Sir Eric Matthew Gairy Botanical Gardens, Tanteen, St George’s. The portal can be accessed at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/gnd, and candidates requiring assistance with portal registration can direct queries to [email protected].

  • 100 Days to Go -Antigua and Barbuda Begins Countdown to CHOGM 2026

    100 Days to Go -Antigua and Barbuda Begins Countdown to CHOGM 2026

    As the clock ticks toward one of the Commonwealth’s most high-profile global gatherings, Antigua and Barbuda has officially hit the 100-day milestone ahead of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), scheduled to run from November 1 to 4 this year. This landmark marker represents a critical turning point in the twin-island nation’s years-long planning process, bringing Antigua and Barbuda one step closer to welcoming senior leaders, official delegations, stakeholder representatives, institutional partners, and international press from all 56 Commonwealth member states for a historic four-day summit.

    For the small Caribbean nation, hosting CHOGM 2026 is far more than an administrative undertaking: it is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shine a global spotlight on its dynamic leadership, rich cultural heritage, world-renowned hospitality, and unwavering dedication to fostering constructive, solution-oriented dialogue on the pressing challenges facing Commonwealth nations. The summit will convene a diverse cross-section of participants, including heads of government, senior state officials, business leaders, youth advocates, civil society organization representatives, and global partnership stakeholders, all coming together to deepen collaborative ties and advance collective action on shared global priorities.

    Honourable E.P. Chet Greene, Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigration, who also serves as Chair of the 2026 CHOGM National Taskforce, emphasized that the 100-day marker is a testament to the nation’s consistent commitment to delivering a successful, inclusive summit. “This 100-day milestone opens a critical new chapter in Antigua and Barbuda’s journey to welcoming the Commonwealth family,” Greene stated. “It reflects the dedication, cross-sector collaboration, and whole-of-nation effort that has shaped our preparations from day one. This summit gives us an extraordinary platform to showcase our nation’s leadership, resilience, vibrant culture, and untapped economic and social potential, as we open our shores to the Commonwealth. I encourage every citizen and resident to embrace this historic moment, and recognize the unique role each of us plays in making CHOGM 2026 a resounding success.”

    Karen-Mae Hill, Antigua and Barbuda’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and a sitting member of the Commonwealth Board of Governors, underscored the summit’s central role in reinforcing collaborative ties across the 56-nation bloc. “As a proud, longstanding member of the Commonwealth family, Antigua and Barbuda is deeply honoured to serve as host for CHOGM 2026, and to provide a neutral, inclusive platform for open dialogue, cross-border collaboration, and partnership building among our member states,” Hill explained. “This gathering will bring leaders from every corner of the Commonwealth together to address our shared priorities and reaffirm the shared values that unite our diverse bloc. Now that we have reached this critical milestone, we are ready to welcome the Commonwealth with the warmth, commitment to excellence, and spirit of partnership that have always defined Antigua and Barbuda.”

    Sharifa George, Co-Lead of the Media and Public Affairs Committee for the CHOGM National Taskforce, highlighted the taskforce’s ongoing focus on inclusive public engagement as the final countdown gets underway. “Hitting the 100-day mark officially kicks off the final stretch of preparations for CHOGM 2026,” George noted. “Our core priority right now is ensuring that every citizen and resident understands why this historic event matters for our nation, and that every member of our community feels invested in Antigua and Barbuda’s journey as we prepare to welcome global leaders.”

    This focus on public engagement will remain front and center throughout the remaining countdown period, with the taskforce working to bring up-to-date information, raise awareness, and build excitement for the summit directly into local communities across both islands. To tie into the nation’s beloved cultural calendar, the taskforce will integrate CHOGM 2026 outreach into Antigua’s 2026 Carnival, marketed as the Caribbean’s “Greatest Summer Festival.” During the carnival’s opening parade, interactive public activations will allow organizers to engage both residents and visiting tourists, share key details about the summit, and celebrate Antigua and Barbuda’s historic role as host nation.

    As preparations enter their final phase, the 2026 CHOGM National Taskforce is calling on all citizens and residents to join the countdown, stay updated on summit developments, and take pride in showcasing the very best of Antigua and Barbuda to the global community. Members of the public can access the latest updates, planning announcements, and engagement opportunities via the official CHOGM 2026 website at https://chogm26.gov.ag, and by following official social media channels using the hashtag #ABCHOGM2026 ahead of the November 1–4 summit.

  • Successful GPPA men’s health clinic signals new era for men’s healthcare

    Successful GPPA men’s health clinic signals new era for men’s healthcare

    On July 2, 2026, a major step forward for men’s healthcare in Grenada took place, as the Grenada Planned Parenthood Association (GPPA) formally unveiled its long-awaited dedicated Men’s Health Initiative. The launch was anchored by a well-received one-day specialist Men’s Health Clinic, developed through a collaborative partnership between GPPA, Dr. Jonathan Noël — a leading robotic urological surgeon based at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom and Medical Director of Global Robotic Prostate — and the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, a local funding partner that made the project possible.

    The clinic saw far higher turnout than organizers initially anticipated, drawing widespread interest from men across all regions of the Caribbean island nation. Over the course of the day, participating men received one-on-one specialized consultations covering a full spectrum of common male health concerns, from prostate health monitoring and urinary symptom assessments to sexual health support and treatment for other urological conditions. Public health experts emphasize that early detection and intervention for these conditions drastically improves long-term health outcomes and patients’ quality of life, filling a critical gap in access to specialized care for Grenadian men.

    For more than six decades, GPPA has anchored sexual and reproductive health services across Grenada, focusing its efforts on advancing the well-being of women, young people, and families. The launch of the Men’s Health Initiative marks a meaningful expansion of the organization’s core mandate, a shift that reflects both the central role men play in family and community health and GPPA’s commitment to delivering confidential, compassionate care to all members of the public, regardless of gender. GPPA leadership notes that dedicated men’s health services have been needed for years, making the new initiative a landmark milestone for the organization.

    “The turnout and engagement we saw at our first ever Men’s Health Clinic makes one thing clear: Grenadian men are ready to prioritize their health when they have access to specialist services that are accessible and welcoming,” explained Dr. N’Kosha Fletcher, a family practitioner with GPPA. “This clinic is just the first step. Through our ongoing partnership with Dr. Noël, we are dedicated to sustaining consistent access to expert urological care, and building a culture where men make regular screening and early intervention a core part of their health routine.”

    In response to the overwhelming demand for services at the inaugural clinic, the partnership has already mapped out plans for ongoing care beyond one-off in-person events. When Dr. Noël is not visiting Grenada for on-site clinics, patients will be able to access his specialized expertise through a telehealth consultation program, linked directly through GPPA’s existing patient referral system. “I was incredibly encouraged by the tremendous response we saw and how willing men were to reach out for care,” Dr. Noël shared. “The reality is that most urological conditions can be managed very successfully when they are caught early. I’m looking forward to continuing this important work with GPPA, and returning to the island later this year to treat even more men across Grenada.”

    GPPA has publicly extended its gratitude to the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, whose generous financial and programmatic support made the launch of the initiative possible. The organization also recognized the work of its full-time staff, volunteer team, and other community partners, whose collective commitment ensured the inaugural clinic ran smoothly and successfully.

    GPPA is currently encouraging all men across Grenada to take proactive control of their health by booking an appointment, either to see one of the association’s in-house family practitioners or to access the new telehealth urology service. The initiative is rooted in a simple, powerful public health motto: Healthy Men. Healthy Families. Healthy Communities.

    Men seeking more information or interested in scheduling an appointment can contact the Grenada Planned Parenthood Association via telephone at (473) 440-3341 or (473) 403-3341, or reach out by email at [email protected].

  • Saint Lucia to host Windwards School Games over 8 days

    Saint Lucia to host Windwards School Games over 8 days

    On Wednesday, local organizers officially introduced the complete roster of athletes that will represent host nation Saint Lucia at the upcoming Windward Islands Secondary School Games (WISG), during a public ceremony held at the Euralis Bouty Pavilion within the Vigie Multipurpose Sports Complex. Kicking off this Saturday, July 25, the eight-day multi-sport competition will bring together 62 participating athletes from four Windward Islands nations: host Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, and St Vincent & the Grenadines. Competitors will vie for top honors across five core sports – athletics, basketball, boys’ football, girls’ netball, and volleyball – with matches spread across four purpose-built competition venues across the island. The 2026 iteration of the games receives primary backing from two major sponsors: Canadian Bank Note and Windward Islands Lotteries.

    Saint Lucia’s national roster features a lineup of standout young athletes headed by CARIFTA high jump champion Destinee Cenac. The girls’ netball contingent is led by Under-16 team captain Naija Ferdinand, with additional key players including Lizzy Dorvius and Hayla Samuel. For the volleyball competition, Saint Lucia will field talented young athletes Abigail Evans and Cumaury Toato, while the men’s football squad boasts a deep roster of promising youth talent including Josh Hunte, Thierry Morille, Dervaj Edward, Rickelme Lionel, and A’Dee Germe, several of whom hold youth international caps.

    Clivus Jules, director of sports for Saint Lucia’s Ministry of Education, Youth Development and Sports, shared his assessment of the host team’s months-long preparation process. “There’s always room for refinement when it comes to getting ready for a major competition like this, but we have prioritized shoring up the weak points that held us back at last year’s tournament,” Jules explained. He highlighted the deliberate preparation steps taken across different disciplines: the host nation’s men’s basketball team traveled to Martinique for a targeted warm-up tournament months in advance, and has been training consistently in the lead-up to the games. For track and field athletes, the local program keeps competitors integrated with their home club training routines through the National Championships, after which the full national squad gathers for centralized team training. While he noted incremental improvements can still be made, Jules expressed overall satisfaction with the team’s preparation status.

    For football, Jules added that all of Saint Lucia’s young footballers are currently active in the island’s semi-pro league, meaning they already maintain consistent match fitness heading into the WISG. “The only remaining step is to bring all the players together to build on-field chemistry and coordinate their team play, to set us up for a strong performance. But I am genuinely pleased with how preparation has gone,” he said.

    First established in 1912, the Windward Islands Secondary School Games ranks among the longest-running continuous school sports competitions in the global calendar. This marks the first time Saint Lucia has hosted the tournament since 2018; the nation last claimed the overall WISG title in 2019, and finished third out of the four competing participating nations in both the 2023 and 2025 editions.

    Jules noted that visiting delegations consistently prioritize competing in Saint Lucia due to the island’s reputation for high-quality event hosting and top-tier sports infrastructure. “When we held the directors’ coordination meeting several months back, all participating delegations expressed full satisfaction with how our planning was progressing, and that same enthusiasm has carried through to their arrival this week,” he said. “All athlete registrations are finalized, travel itineraries are confirmed, and every logistical detail – from accommodation to catering to on-ground operations – is fully in place. We are ready to welcome everyone and deliver a successful games.”

    Competition gets underway early Saturday morning with athletics field events hosted at Mindoo Phillip Park, with track events kicking off later the same day at Soufrière Stadium. Entry to all athletics sessions is open to the public free of charge. Court-based sports including basketball, netball, and volleyball will begin Sunday at the Beausejour Gymnasium, while all football matches will take place at the Francis Baba Lastic grounds in Gros Islet.

  • Former top GUYSUCO official and literary figure, Ian McDonald dies

    Former top GUYSUCO official and literary figure, Ian McDonald dies

    On Friday, 24 July 2026, the Caribbean region mourned the passing of Ian McDonald, a towering figure whose decades-long career left an indelible mark across the sugar industry, media, literature and sports across the bloc. He was 93 years old at the time of his death.

    Born in Trinidad, McDonald built his professional legacy over decades in Guyana’s sugar sector, starting his tenure with the private Bookers enterprise before transitioning to the nationalized Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO), where he rose to the rank of top senior executive. Later in his career, he took on the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC), leading industry collaboration across the region.

    Beyond his work in agriculture, McDonald also held prominent positions in Guyana’s independent media landscape. He served as former Chairman of Guyana Publications Inc, the company that published the now-defunct independent private newspaper Stabroek News, working alongside outlet founder David DeCaires and the late prominent lawyer Miles Fitzpatrick to uphold independent journalism in the country.

    Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali released a statement expressing profound sorrow at McDonald’s passing, describing him as a respected literary voice and one of the Caribbean’s most distinguished public figures. Ali noted the particularly poignant timing of McDonald’s death, coming as Guyana grapples with the aftermath of the MV Barima ferry tragedy, an incident that has so far been unofficially linked to more than 100 fatalities. “It is sad that he should leave us now, when the hour is so dark and our nation longs for the wisdom that flowed from his pen,” Ali said. “At this time when grief drapes our nation, we need more than ever his words to steady us, to console us, to remind us that even in loss, there is the promise of renewal.”

    McDonald’s contributions extended far beyond industry and media, earning him widespread regional recognition. In 1997, the University of the West Indies awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Letters to honor his service to the Caribbean sugar sector, sports, and literary communities. A lifelong sports enthusiast, McDonald held a unique distinction as the only person from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago to have competed in tennis at the iconic Wimbledon Championships, cementing his legacy as a trailblazer across multiple fields.

  • Guyana says new US ‘forced labour tariff’ will not burden Guyanese exporters

    Guyana says new US ‘forced labour tariff’ will not burden Guyanese exporters

    As of Friday, July 24, 2026, the United States has implemented a new 12.5% tariff targeting imports from 60 global trading partners, a policy framed as a penalty for nations that continue to allow trade in goods produced through forced labor. In response to the policy, Guyanese officials have moved quickly to clarify that local exporters will not face new disproportionate costs, while confirming the country will actively push for a full exemption from the measure.

    In an official statement released Friday, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud emphasized that the new 12.5% duty does not add an unplanned financial burden to local producers. The tariff replaces a 10% global tariff that expired July 24 under Section 122 of the U.S. Trade Act, and marks a continued downward trajectory from higher rates announced in previous months: a 38% rate unveiled in April 2025 was revised down to 15% before settling at the current 12.5% level.

    Crucially, the tariff does not extend to Guyana’s top export commodities, oil and gold, multiple sources familiar with the policy confirmed to Demerara Waves Online News. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer first announced the tariff’s scope Thursday, noting that all affected nations, including Guyana, would be required to pay the 12.5% duty for targeted goods to gain entry to the U.S. market.

    Persaud stressed that Guyana was not singled out for punitive action in the policy, which includes major global economies and regional neighbors across every continent: affected partners include Canada, the European Union, India, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, among 55 other nations. Sixteen other countries are facing ongoing linked investigations, Persaud added, and Guyana is not included in that group.

    Beyond that, top Guyanese officials have forcefully rejected any suggestion that forced labor-produced goods are traded through Guyana’s borders. “Guyana was not aware of evidence demonstrating that goods produced through forced labour are being manufactured in, imported into, or exported from Guyana,” Persaud said, a position reaffirmed during public hearings held by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) earlier this month.

    Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, Permanent Secretary of Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told the USTR’s July 7-9 public hearing that any forced labor allegations must be resolved through lawful, evidence-based investigations, according to official hearing transcripts. Roopchand-Edwards backed the government’s position with official labor data: as of June 2026, more than 2,000 inspections across all major economic sectors have failed to turn up any substantiated cases of forced labor. The Guyana Revenue Authority has also confirmed no record of forced labor-produced goods entering the country through official ports of entry, she added.

    Under Guyana’s existing Customs Act, Roopchand-Edwards noted, the government already has full authority to block imports of goods confirmed to be produced through forced labor. “When it is conclusively determined that imported goods were produced using forced labour, the responsible minister has powers to prohibit importation,” she said.

    Persaud also framed the new U.S. tariff as a product of domestic U.S. political and legal shifts, rather than a judgment on Guyana’s trade practices. He explained that the policy was crafted by the current Trump administration to work around a U.S. Supreme Court ruling issued earlier this year that limits the executive branch’s authority to impose unilateral tariffs. “It is not a judgment on Guyana, and Guyana was neither singled out nor treated differently from dozens of other economies navigating the same recalibration,” Persaud said.

    While the new tariff does not create new immediate costs for Guyanese exporters, Persaud confirmed the government will continue lobbying for a full exemption from the duty. Parallel to that effort, the administration is also finalizing work on a new reciprocal trade agreement with the U.S. that reflects the deepening, mature bilateral relationship between the two nations. “We are confident this process will continue on the basis of facts, mutual respect, and shared interest,” Persaud said, adding that Guyana remains fully committed to its ongoing trade and diplomatic partnership with the United States. Government officials have already engaged directly with USTR and other relevant U.S. agencies to reinforce Guyana’s position, most recently during the July public hearings, which Guyana participated in voluntarily.

  • BARP moves to formalise elder abuse reporting as cases rise

    BARP moves to formalise elder abuse reporting as cases rise

    Against a backdrop of surging reports of mistreatment against older people and growing numbers of seniors visiting its headquarters seeking direct support, the Barbados Association of Retired Persons (BARP) is moving to establish a standardized, formal framework for handling elder abuse cases across the island nation. The announcement came Thursday as BARP held its annual general meeting at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, where association president Marilyn Rice-Bowen shared that the organization is in the final phases of developing a structured reporting system designed to deliver more consistent, coordinated responses to elder abuse complaints brought forward by members.

    Rice-Bowen told meeting attendees that incidents of elder abuse have grown increasingly frequent in recent months, marking a notable shift from past patterns of engagement. Where seniors previously reached out to BARP primarily via phone or email to raise concerns, growing numbers of vulnerable older adults are now traveling to the association’s offices in person to ask for direct intervention with their cases of mistreatment. “One of our most important initiatives will be the introduction of a formal reporting protocol for elder abuse,” Rice-Bowen said in her address to the gathering.

    Under the current ad-hoc process, BARP staff document reports shared by visiting seniors and pass along details to the Family Conflict Unit, a specialized division within the Barbados Police Service, for official follow-up. The new system will build on this existing relationship by adding structure and accountability to the process. Once fully implemented, BARP personnel will complete a standardized reporting form for every abuse case brought to the organization, which will then be sent directly to the police unit for official investigation. Unlike the previous process, BARP will also maintain active oversight of each open case, tracking progress and following up with both authorities and the affected seniors to ensure cases are resolved appropriately.

    “We’re in the process of having a reporting form designed. That form will be completed at BARP and forwarded to the Family Conflict Unit of the Barbados Police Service, and of course, then we will be able to follow up to see what’s happening,” Rice-Bowen explained. She framed the new protocol as a far more robust and proactive approach to combating the growing problem of elder abuse, noting that BARP stands ready to take a leading role in protecting older Barbadians if called upon.

    “From BARP’s perspective… it is a more serious approach to elder abuse,” she said. “Every senior deserves to live in safety, dignity and respect.” The new initiative follows public comments Rice-Bowen made one month prior, when she characterized elder abuse as a silent crisis unfolding across Barbados. At that time, she warned that the island was facing a expanding but underreported pattern of abuse, including deliberate targeting of socially isolated older adults for financial exploitation, and called on national stakeholders to implement stronger protective measures for the country’s aging population.

  • CARPHA opens regional laboratory in Jamaica to boost Caribbean’s fight against antimicrobial resistance

    CARPHA opens regional laboratory in Jamaica to boost Caribbean’s fight against antimicrobial resistance

    The Caribbean region has taken a transformative step to address one of the globe’s most pressing public health crises, with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) officially opening a new Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Regional Reference Laboratory on the island of Jamaica. This cutting-edge facility marks the final piece of a years-long effort to upgrade the region’s interconnected laboratory referral network, unlocking expanded access to life-saving specialized testing for all 26 of CARPHA’s member states across the Caribbean.

    Global public health authorities have long ranked antimicrobial resistance — the phenomenon through which bacteria, viruses and other pathogens evolve to resist existing drug treatments — as among the most severe threats to global wellbeing. Leading projections warn that AMR could be responsible for as many as 10 million deaths annually worldwide by the middle of the century. For the Caribbean, the challenge has been amplified by longstanding systemic gaps: limited regional AMR surveillance infrastructure, consistent delays in pathogen diagnosis, uneven access to high-quality antimicrobial medications, and widespread overuse and misuse of antibiotics across both human healthcare and agricultural animal production.

    Housed within CARPHA’s existing Medicines Quality Control and Surveillance Department, the new laboratory was formally inaugurated at a ceremony attended by key regional and international stakeholders. Officiating the opening were Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, and CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar. Delegations from the British High Commission in Jamaica, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the UK Department of Health and Social Care, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and multiple other partner organizations were also on hand to mark the milestone.

    The facility’s development and operations are backed by funding from the Fleming Fund, delivered through the Caribbean Antimicrobial Resistance Alliance (CARA) with technical and policy support from UKHSA and the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care. Andrew Bowden, a representative of the British High Commission, confirmed the UK’s total investment in the project reaches at least £480,000, equal to roughly 105 million Jamaican dollars, which covered equipment procurement, facility refurbishment, and the formal establishment of the laboratory. This investment drastically boosts CARPHA’s capacity to detect, track, and respond to AMR outbreaks, while expanding access to advanced microbiology and clinical diagnostic services across the region.

    The new Jamaican facility joins two existing regional AMR reference laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago and St. Lucia, forming a fully integrated, interconnected regional referral network. Officials project this unified system will cut down on testing turnaround times, dramatically improve the accuracy and scope of AMR surveillance, and enable far faster public health intervention when resistant pathogens are detected.

    In remarks at the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Indar framed the launch as a watershed moment for Caribbean public health infrastructure. “Today’s landmark launch represents the successful completion of a major investment in the Caribbean’s public health infrastructure. Together, our laboratories in Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia and Jamaica now form a fully integrated regional referral laboratory network, enabling us to provide faster, more equitable access to specialised diagnostic services for all 26 CARPHA Member States,” she said. “This is not simply an investment in laboratories—it is an investment in stronger surveillance, more effective outbreak response and a more resilient Regional Health System.”

    Dr. Tufton highlighted that Jamaica has already advanced its own domestic AMR response through targeted action across four core pillars: expanded surveillance, improved infection prevention protocols, stronger antimicrobial stewardship programs, and widespread public education campaigns. He added that the new regional laboratory will strengthen Jamaica’s domestic efforts while supporting neighboring countries across the Caribbean.

    CARPHA officials noted the opening of the facility builds on the agency’s broader Integrated AMR Programme, launched in 2025 to coordinate regional action against resistant pathogens. The milestone reinforces CARPHA’s core commitment to ensuring equitable access to high-quality diagnostic and laboratory services for all member states, while boosting overall regional health security through ongoing cross-border and international collaboration.

  • 20 young ambassadors chosen to give children a stronger voice in national policies

    20 young ambassadors chosen to give children a stronger voice in national policies

    In a landmark step toward centering youth perspectives in governance, the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia has sworn in 20 young people from across the island as its first-ever Child Rights Ambassadors. The groundbreaking initiative was designed to guarantee that children and adolescents have a direct seat at the table when national policies and decisions shaping their lives are being made.

    Over the coming months, these appointed ambassadors will work directly with peers in their local schools and communities, carrying out three core missions: spreading critical awareness of fundamental child rights, documenting the pressing concerns of young Saint Lucians, and bringing those on-the-ground perspectives to national discussions spanning child protection, public education, healthcare access, juvenile justice, and social service delivery.

    The programme was officially launched earlier this month during Saint Lucia’s first National Child Rights Symposium, and is a joint effort between the country’s Department of Equity, Social Justice, Gender and Older Persons and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It aligns directly with Saint Lucia’s binding commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, a global treaty that explicitly enshrines children’s right to express their views and have those views included in decisions that impact their well-being.

    Permanent Secretary Dr. Charmaine Hippolyte-Emmanuel emphasized that the initiative is far more than a symbolic gesture—it is designed to give children a meaningful, actionable role in conversations that touch every part of their lives. “If we do not protect our children that we call the future, do you think, or do you foresee us having a future? Not at all,” she told attendees. “Therefore, we are committed to that kind of protection for you. As we convene, I encourage every child and young person to be a part of this conversation. It makes absolutely no sense to speak about you and you are not a part of the conversation.”

    The 20 ambassadors were selected from a pool of student nominees after an open call for applications was distributed to every school across the island. Organizers noted that geographic distance limited participation from schools in southern Saint Lucia during the initial selection round, so a second phase of the programme will be rolled out in the coming months to expand representation from that region.

    Before assuming their posts, all ambassadors completed an intensive five-day training programme covering core topics including child rights frameworks, leadership development, advocacy strategy, and communication skills. The training also included instruction in photography and visual storytelling, tools organizers say will help young ambassadors highlight the issues affecting their communities more effectively.

    Joan Tull, UNICEF’s Partnerships Officer for Advocacy, explained that visual storytelling gives young people a flexible, powerful new medium to share their lived experiences and push for systemic change. “Photography is a powerful way to stand up for your rights,” Tull said. “By capturing images of your school, your community, your friendships or issues that affect children and young people, you can help raise awareness and encourage positive change. Your photos can highlight things that are working well and draw attention to areas where improvements are needed, helping to ensure that your voices are heard and your experiences are valued.”

    The ambassadors will officially begin their outreach work with children and young people in communities across Saint Lucia in the next several months.

  • Mixed reactions to new Pic-O-De-Crop venue

    Mixed reactions to new Pic-O-De-Crop venue

    Barbados is grappling with a last-minute event scheduling shift that has split public opinion, after the iconic annual Courtesy Garage Pic-O-De-Crop calypso competition finals was relocated from its planned home at Kensington Oval to CARIFESTA House in Waterford. The change was made to clear the venue for the upcoming state funeral of national hero Sir Garfield Sobers, one of the most revered figures in the country’s history.

    The National Cultural Foundation (NCF), the body organizing the cultural event, announced the venue adjustment this Wednesday, confirming that the competition will still proceed as scheduled one week from Friday, kicking off at the original start time of 8 p.m. The organization explained that the tight timeline between Sobers’ funeral and the calypso finals left no room to prepare Kensington Oval to host both major events to the expected standard.

    Public reaction to the decision has been far from uniform, with Barbadians offering a range of perspectives on the trade-off between honoring the national hero and preserving the tradition of one of the island’s most anticipated cultural events. Priscilla Giles, a local resident who spoke with Barbados TODAY, framed the shift as a reasonable compromise given the circumstances, noting “It’s not a big deal to me. I’m on split opinions, but most of it just boils down to it’s not really a big deal.” Even so, Giles raised valid practical concerns for attendees and local vendors alike. She pointed out that ticketing arrangements remain unclear for fans who already purchased passes, and that CARIFESTA House’s smaller capacity could limit access for attendees. For vendors who had already prepared to set up operations at Kensington Oval, the sudden relocation creates new barriers, she argued, questioning whether all 100 vendors originally planned for the old venue can be properly accommodated at the new site.

    Giles also acknowledged the necessity of making space for Sobers’ funeral, noting that the national icon deserves a large venue to host the thousands of Barbadians expected to gather to grieve and celebrate his legacy. “One way or the other, things should work out if they have the aspect done right, but the general public just will enjoy one way or another,” she added.

    Omar, another local attendee, said the venue change itself does not personally impact him, but argued that postponing the competition by a week and a half to two weeks would have been a more practical solution, allowing the event to keep its original planned venue at Kensington Oval after the funeral concluded. “I think they could have postponed it to like two weeks, week and a half… by then Crop Over would be finishing up. Kadooment would have passed,” he explained.

    Not all reactions have been critical, however. Junior “Rambo” Hamilton expressed support for the shift to CARIFESTA House, arguing that the venue is actually better equipped to host the calypso finals than Kensington Oval, pointing to improved facilities including restrooms as a key advantage. Even so, he acknowledged that parking shortages could create headaches for attendees traveling to the new location.

    Other locals have suggested an entirely different alternative venue: the National Botanical Gardens. Benjie Alleyne noted that while Kensington Oval is a perfectly suitable location for the competition, the Botanical Gardens offer unbeatable comfort and layout for large-scale events. “It’s a ventilated area. You can’t be hot,” he explained, adding that the space can easily accommodate varied seating arrangements, including VIP sections, seated areas for attendees who cannot stand for long periods, and open party spaces. The Botanical Gardens actually hosted the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals for three consecutive years before this year’s planned return to Kensington Oval.

    Thus far, the impact of the venue change on ticketing has been minimal. Staff at one local ticket outlet confirmed to Barbados TODAY that only one attendee has returned a ticket since the relocation was announced. The NCF says its production teams are already hard at work adapting CARIFESTA House to meet the needs of the event, upgrading staging, sound systems, lighting, crowd flow planning, accessibility and other key logistics to ensure the competition meets the high standards attendees expect, while still allowing the nation to properly honor one of its most beloved icons.