In a significant development for healthcare in St. Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew has praised the construction of a state-of-the-art MRI facility at the Joseph N. France General Hospital, calling it “one of the most advanced in the region.” The announcement was made during a parliamentary address on October 31, 2025. Dr. Drew highlighted the facility’s cutting-edge technology and robust design, emphasizing its ability to withstand Category Five hurricanes. This marks a pivotal upgrade from the current containerized MRI system, offering enhanced diagnostic capabilities for a range of diseases. The Prime Minister also commended Huggins Construction for their meticulous work in meeting manufacturer specifications, ensuring the facility’s excellence. The MRI machine is slated for delivery in the first quarter of 2026, promising to revolutionize healthcare accessibility and quality in the Federation.
分类： health
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iciHaiti – Post-Melissa : Health sector review
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which brought devastating winds and torrential rains to Haiti, Dr. Bertrand Sinal, the Minister of Public Health, convened a critical meeting with key health sector partners. The session focused on evaluating the hurricane’s impact and strategizing a response to ensure the continuity of essential health services across the nation. The assessment highlighted minimal damage to health facilities in most departments, with only minor incidents reported at Saint-Antoine Hospital in Jérémie and Immaculée Conception Hospital in Port-de-Paix. Additionally, a flash flood affected the courtyard of the South Departmental Hospital in Les Cayes. Dr. Sinal praised the dedication of health workers and the support from international organizations like PAHO/WHO and UNICEF. He emphasized the need for enhanced epidemiological surveillance and vigilance against potential health risks, particularly waterborne diseases, in the hurricane’s aftermath.
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Woman Ends Breast Cancer Month with Completion of Treatment
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month draws to a close, Belizeans have been proudly donning pink to show solidarity with those affected by the disease. The month ended on a triumphant note as Janine Cattouse, a 36-year-old literature and religion teacher, rang the bell at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital’s oncology unit, symbolizing the completion of her breast cancer treatment. Diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in August 2024, Cattouse endured a year of intensive chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and radiation. Her journey, marked by resilience and hope, culminated in a heartfelt ceremony attended by family, friends, and her medical team. Cattouse expressed profound gratitude for the unwavering support she received, particularly from the nurses who went above and beyond their duties. As a teacher at St. Catherine Academy, she used her experience to inspire her students, demonstrating courage and faith even on her most challenging days. Cattouse’s story highlights the importance of purpose and perseverance in overcoming life’s toughest battles. She hopes her journey will raise awareness about triple-positive breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease, and encourage others to keep fighting. Through her ordeal, Cattouse’s faith has deepened, reinforcing her belief that with prayer and support, anything is possible.
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PSU Speaks Out Following Tragic Death of Elderly Man
The tragic death of 92-year-old Eusebio Espinoza Senior at Northern Regional Hospital has sparked widespread outrage, prompting Public Service Union (PSU) President Dean Flowers to address the systemic issues plaguing Belize’s healthcare system. Flowers emphasized that while healthcare workers are often blamed for such incidents, the root causes lie in chronic underfunding, inadequate resources, and overwhelming workloads. He highlighted the dire conditions faced by medical staff, including doctors working seven consecutive night shifts and nurses forced into double shifts due to staffing shortages. Additionally, Flowers pointed to severe shortages of essential supplies, such as syringes, gauze, and effective medications, despite the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) operating with its largest budget in history. He criticized the involvement of unqualified pharmaceutical importers and called for government accountability, urging the public to recognize the immense challenges faced by healthcare workers rather than attributing blame to them. This incident has reignited debates over whether the tragedy resulted from individual negligence or systemic failures within Belize’s healthcare infrastructure.
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21st Chinese Medical Team arrives in Guyana
The 21st Chinese Medical Team has officially landed in Guyana, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between Guyana and the People’s Republic of China to enhance the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. Comprising 18 highly skilled professionals specializing in diverse fields such as internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, traditional Chinese medicine, and public health, the team is poised to make substantial contributions to Guyana’s medical landscape. Upon their arrival, the team met with Guyana’s Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, to discuss their mission, areas of focus, and planned activities. Dr. Anthony lauded the enduring partnership between the two nations, emphasizing the pivotal role Chinese medical teams have played in fortifying Guyana’s healthcare system. He reiterated his ministry’s unwavering support for the team’s efforts to expand access to high-quality healthcare services across the country. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Navindranauth Rambaran, Director of Medical and Professional Services, and Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlall, Acting Chief Medical Officer. This visit underscores the deepening ties between Guyana and China, with a shared commitment to advancing public health and medical excellence.
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CARPHA builds capacity in shipping of infectious substances training in Belize
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) recently concluded a pivotal Shipping of Infectious Substances Training (SIST) in Belize, held from October 20 to 24, 2025. Funded through CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund Grant, the workshop aimed to bolster national laboratory capabilities in the safe handling, packaging, and transportation of infectious substances and diagnostic specimens. The training brought together 13 participants from five laboratories, including private entities and the National Public Health Laboratory under Belize’s Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW).
This initiative is crucial for the Caribbean, where fragile economies face heightened risks from infectious diseases. By adhering to World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations, the training enhanced technical competencies in specimen management, ensuring safer and more efficient referral testing. This effort aligns with CARPHA’s broader Pandemic Fund Project, which seeks to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) capacities across its Member States.
Participants engaged in hands-on exercises, mastering the classification, packaging, labeling, and documentation of infectious substances. Dr. Lisa Indar, CARPHA’s Executive Director, emphasized the importance of partnerships in preparedness, stating, ‘Together with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and national stakeholders, we are establishing a sustainable, IATA-compliant shipping workforce that will protect specimen integrity and bolster Belize’s readiness for future public health emergencies.’
Carlos Rampersad, CARPHA’s Biorisk Manager for the Pandemic Fund, highlighted the training’s role in disease surveillance and outbreak response. ‘By building the technical skills of health professionals in Belize, we are advancing regional biosafety and biosecurity standards,’ he noted. Rochelle Cabral, Director of Central Medical Laboratory and Vice Chair of CARPHA’s Biorisk Management Technical Advisory Group, added that national capacity building directly enhances the region’s collective resilience.
The SIST in Belize is part of a series of regional activities under the Pandemic Fund Project, focusing on workforce development and sustainable biosafety practices. Upcoming initiatives will continue to strengthen laboratory and surveillance systems across CARPHA Member States, ensuring a robust public health infrastructure.
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AIDS Secretariat Launches New Campaign with National Symposium and Teen Forum Ahead of World AIDS Day
The AIDS Secretariat is gearing up for a robust anti-STI campaign in anticipation of the 2025 World AIDS Day Week of Activities, with two significant events already in the pipeline. The first annual HIV/AIDS Symposium is scheduled for Wednesday, November 26th, starting at 5:30 PM, followed by the National Teens Talk Day on November 28th, which will run from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Both events will take place at the Multi-Purpose Cultural and Exhibition Center. Key topics to be addressed include the facts about HIV/AIDS and STIs, the personal impacts of choices and consequences, navigating social pressures, the intersection of violence, crime, and HIV risks, as well as media literacy and self-esteem. The National Teens Day event will see participation from ten schools, with invitations extended to eight government schools and two private institutions. World AIDS Day itself will be observed on December 1st, 2025.
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Ministry of Health strengthens defenses with new pandemic preparedness plan
Saint Lucia is taking proactive steps to fortify its defenses against future health crises through the development of a robust Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan. This initiative was launched during a pivotal three-day workshop from October 21 to 23, organized by the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). The event convened a diverse array of stakeholders, including health professionals, emergency management experts, and key national agencies such as the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), the Customs and Excise Department, and the Saint Lucia Fire Service, underscoring the collaborative nature of pandemic response. The plan aims to enhance the nation’s ability to detect, respond to, and recover from pandemics, with a particular focus on respiratory diseases. Joanne Persaud, PAHO’s Advisor for Health Emergencies, highlighted the urgency of the initiative, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for comprehensive preparedness. She emphasized that the plan leverages the Preparedness and Response for Emerging Threats (PREP) tool, tailored to Saint Lucia’s unique context. Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, Chief Medical Officer, stressed that health emergencies require a whole-of-society approach, building on lessons learned from COVID-19. Once finalized, the plan will serve as a critical roadmap for coordinated national action, ensuring Saint Lucia remains resilient and ready to tackle future public health emergencies effectively.
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Huisartsen ontvangen voor het eerst in jaren tijdig hun honorarium
For the first time in years, general practitioners (GPs) in the Netherlands have received their fees before the end of the month, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to improve the healthcare system. This development has been met with widespread satisfaction among GPs, who view it as a positive signal of progress. Dr. Joël Mahabier, a prominent GP, described the timely payment as a “light at the end of the tunnel” for his profession. “After years of waiting, pleading, and sometimes threatening action, we have finally been paid on time. This gives us hope that structural changes are on the horizon,” he stated. Dr. Mahabier emphasized that the prompt payment is not only a financial relief but also a recognition of the critical work GPs perform daily under often challenging conditions. “We are on the frontline of healthcare, and it is heartening to see attention being paid to our situation,” he added. He expressed gratitude to the new director of the State Health Fund (SZF), Rudra Oemraw, for the efficient handling of payments, and to President Jennifer Simons for her involvement in addressing the financial backlog. This step is expected to strengthen the trust between GPs and the government. “If this becomes a regular practice, we can finally focus entirely on our patients without the constant worry about payments,” Dr. Mahabier concluded optimistically.
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STATEMENT: CARPHA stands in solidarity with the people of Jamaica following the impact of Hurricane Melissa
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on Jamaica, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has pledged unwavering support to the nation’s recovery efforts. The hurricane has left a trail of devastation, claiming lives, destroying homes, and disrupting livelihoods, while also posing significant public health risks. CARPHA, the regional public health arm of CARICOM, has reaffirmed its commitment to unity, compassion, and collective action, emphasizing that Jamaica’s plight is a shared concern for the entire Caribbean region.
The aftermath of Hurricane Melissa has introduced a host of public health challenges, including the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, sanitation issues, mental health stressors, and disruptions to essential health services. Recognizing these threats, CARPHA is spearheading a coordinated response through the CARICOM-approved Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). The agency is collaborating closely with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOH), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and other regional and international partners to address these pressing needs.
CARPHA’s immediate actions include the provision of critical public health supplies such as rapid testing kits for infectious diseases, medical and personal protective equipment (PPE), and field hospital supplies to mitigate disease outbreaks like dengue, leptospirosis, and gastroenteritis. The agency is also working to ensure that public health remains a central focus in recovery and humanitarian efforts.
Beyond the immediate crisis, CARPHA is committed to supporting Jamaica in strengthening its health security systems, enhancing disaster preparedness, and fostering community resilience. The agency emphasizes the importance of listening to and amplifying the voices of local communities, health workers, and authorities to ensure that interventions are tailored to meet urgent needs.
CARPHA’s solidarity with Jamaica is not merely symbolic but rooted in sustained partnership and actionable support. The agency’s efforts underscore the Caribbean’s resilience and unity in the face of adversity. Together, CARPHA and its partners are dedicated to rebuilding stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities in Jamaica.