Sir Molwyn Joseph, Antigua and Barbuda’s Health Minister, has emphasized the urgent need for robust regulatory reforms and increased investment in the nation’s midwifery workforce. Addressing attendees at the opening of a two-day Competency-Based Education Capacity-Building Workshop for Midwifery Educators, Joseph highlighted that while educational initiatives are crucial, they must be complemented by comprehensive policy measures and institutional support. He stressed that achieving safer motherhood and improved newborn care extends beyond training programs, requiring substantial investment in human resources, reinforced regulatory frameworks, and an enabling environment for midwives to fully utilize their expertise. The minister underscored the workshop’s significance in empowering educators to shape the future of midwifery, aligning with international standards such as the International Confederation of Midwives’ Essential Competencies (2019). Joseph reiterated that maternal and newborn health remains a national priority, essential for social equity, human dignity, and national development. He emphasized the importance of ensuring every woman has access to safe, high-quality care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, while midwives are empowered, supported, and respected in their roles. The minister also acknowledged the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Caribbean Regional Midwives Association for their technical and resource contributions, which have bolstered systems, curricula, and capacity in Antigua and Barbuda. The workshop, a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and UNFPA, focuses on competency-based education (CBE), a practical training model designed to equip midwives with the skills, confidence, and compassion needed to address real-world challenges. Joseph concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to collaborating with partners to provide midwives with the necessary policy, resources, and institutional support to practice effectively and contribute to national development.
分类： health
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Govt unveils $390M Queen Elizabeth Hospital expansion project
The Barbadian government has secured a $195 million loan to fund a significant expansion of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), a move expected to increase the facility’s capacity by approximately 40%. Health Minister Senator Jerome Walcott announced the groundbreaking initiative on Monday, highlighting that construction is slated to commence before the end of the year. The project, financed through a deferred payment agreement with a Chinese consortium, carries an interest rate of 3.5% over an 11-year term. The loan agreement was formalized during a ceremony at Government Headquarters. The expansion will add 19,320 square metres to the existing 50,000-square-metre hospital, featuring two new towers connected to the current structure via a bridge over Martindale’s Road. One tower will house a state-of-the-art laboratory, four new wards with 96 additional beds, a burn unit, and expanded outpatient facilities, while the second will include a cutting-edge cancer treatment center and administrative offices. The oncology unit will be equipped with advanced technologies, such as a linear accelerator, brachytherapy, a PET scanner, and a cyclotron, elevating cancer care in Barbados to unprecedented levels. Additionally, the project will address long-standing staff requests by incorporating amenities like a gym and a crèche for nurses’ children. The new laboratory is designed to tackle emerging diseases and antimicrobial resistance, addressing challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction is estimated to take 42 months, with 60% of the labor provided by Chinese contractors and 40% by local workers. Finance Minister Ryan Straughn emphasized the project’s significance as a major social investment, underscoring its role in improving healthcare accessibility, reducing waiting times, and enhancing working conditions for medical professionals. The expansion is part of a broader health system transformation, including polyclinic refurbishments and equipment upgrades, funded by the Saudi Fund for Development and Barbadian credit unions. Straughn assured citizens that the project reflects prudent fiscal management and will yield long-term benefits for the nation’s healthcare ecosystem.
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Half of Dominicans could suffer from varicose veins, warns specialist
Varicose veins, a prevalent vascular condition affecting nearly half of the Dominican population, particularly women, have seen transformative advancements in treatment. Historically addressed through invasive surgeries, modern medical techniques now offer minimally invasive outpatient procedures that ensure quicker recovery and superior cosmetic outcomes. Dr. Víctor Canata, former president of the International Union of Phlebology, emphasized the groundbreaking impact of treatments such as foam therapy, laser microsurgery, and the Flebogrif system, which eliminate the need for incisions or general anesthesia. These innovations were a focal point at the 5th Dominican Congress of the Dominican Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SDACV) and the 1st International Symposium on Endovascular Interventions. Dr. Canata urged early medical intervention for initial symptoms like spider veins to curb disease progression. Dr. Amarilis Batista, SDACV president, stressed the importance of compiling national statistics to shape prevention and treatment strategies, highlighting lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and weight management as key to reducing venous insufficiency. The event also celebrated the contributions of Dr. Luis Ardavín Meléndez, a veteran vascular surgeon, for his pioneering work and dedication to advancing the specialty in the Dominican Republic. Dr. Ardavín reflected on the remarkable evolution of vascular surgery in the country, from limited early resources to today’s advanced diagnostic and patient care capabilities.
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Health experts call for border surveillance amid Cholera outbreak in Haiti
The Dominican Society of Infectious Diseases has issued an urgent call to the Ministry of Public Health, emphasizing the need for immediate action following the detection of a cholera outbreak in neighboring Haiti. The organization has highlighted the critical importance of bolstering epidemiological and environmental surveillance, particularly at border crossings and other high-risk zones, to curb the potential spread of the disease into Dominican territory.
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UK athletes visit Special Care Baby Unit ahead of historic island challenge
The World Health Organization highlights that the first 28 days of a newborn’s life are the most critical, with the highest risk of mortality. Lifesaving equipment to address complications from infections or preterm birth is essential for survival and recovery. This reality was brought home for 30 UK residents who visited the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) at the Millenium Heights Medical Complex on October 16. Organized by the Sandals Foundation, the group, alongside six local athletes, will undertake a demanding series of physical challenges, including a half marathon, a 12km rainforest trek, a 10km sea kayak, and a hike up Gros Piton, to raise £100,000 for vital neonatal equipment. The 2025 Sandals Foundation Island Challenge, running from October 17 to 20, demonstrates the power of tourism networks to bring hope and tangible change. The fundraiser aims to acquire essential equipment such as a neonatal ventilator, nesting system, infant warmer, incubator, infusion pump, jaundice meter, and infant blankets, all backed by a one-year warranty. This equipment will significantly enhance the capabilities of the island’s largest public health facility to save lives. Valerie Baptiste, a mother whose premature baby received life-saving care at the SCBU, shared her gratitude. Dr. Lashorn Christian, head of the pediatric department, emphasized the importance of the ventilator and infusion pump in neonatal care, noting their critical role in survival and recovery. UK donor Tiger Whiteley, deeply moved by his visit, expressed his commitment to the cause, inspired by personal loss. Now in its third year, the Island Challenge has become a beacon of hope, supporting pediatric health across the Caribbean. Tessa Inglis, acting CEO of the Millenium Heights Medical Complex, and Karen Zacca, director of operations at the Sandals Foundation, both highlighted the global and local partnerships that make this initiative possible, underscoring the collective effort to strengthen neonatal care in Saint Lucia.
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Guyana free of African Swine Fever, Suriname conducting survey
Guyana has been officially declared free of African Swine Fever (ASF) following comprehensive testing conducted in 2025, while neighboring Suriname has initiated a nationwide survey to assess the disease’s potential threat. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha confirmed the results, stating that data from national tests conducted in the first half of the year were submitted to international organizations for validation. ASF, a highly contagious viral disease affecting both domestic and wild pigs, poses significant risks to the agricultural sector due to its rapid spread and high mortality rate. To bolster its defenses, Guyana has equipped its Livestock Development Association’s laboratory with advanced test kits and established partnerships with reference centers in the United States and Brazil. Additionally, the country has created a serum bank for future reference and enhanced surveillance at all ports of entry. The Ministry of Agriculture has also prioritized staff training and capacity-building initiatives in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the International Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture. Meanwhile, Suriname has launched a pilot survey to map ASF risks, collecting 100 blood samples from pigs across several districts for overseas analysis. This effort is part of a broader USDA-funded project aimed at strengthening ASF surveillance and response capabilities in the Caribbean, Central America, and the Andean region. The reintroduction of ASF to the Americas since 2021, coupled with its resurgence in Europe, Asia, and Africa, highlights the urgent need for improved preparedness and management strategies.
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CBH Releases Weeklong Mosquito Fogging Schedule
The Central Board of Health (CBH) in Antigua has rolled out an extensive mosquito fogging initiative as part of its national vector control program. The campaign, targeting the Aedes aegypti mosquito—known for transmitting dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses—will run from October 20 to 24, 2025. Fogging operations are scheduled twice daily, at 4:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., across multiple communities. Morning sessions will cover areas such as Upper Gambles, Carnival Gardens, and Sutherlands on Monday, while Clarehall and Johnsons Village will be addressed on Tuesday. Cassada Gardens and Skerritts Pasture are slated for later in the week. Afternoon sessions will focus on Gunthorpes, Bendals, Cashew Hill, and Golden Grove, with no fogging planned for Friday afternoon. Residents are advised to take precautions, including staying indoors if they have respiratory conditions and driving cautiously in fogged areas. The CBH also emphasizes the importance of household efforts in mosquito prevention, such as eliminating stagnant water and maintaining clean surroundings. In case of adverse weather conditions like rain or strong winds, fogging will be postponed and rescheduled. For additional details, the public can contact the Vector Control Unit at (268) 764-4327.
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National Eye Clinic in Saint Lucia resumes surgeries
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs in Saint Lucia has announced the resumption of surgeries at the National Eye Clinic, marking a pivotal step in restoring comprehensive eye care services within the public health sector. This development follows a temporary halt in surgical procedures in March 2023 due to infrastructural challenges. The recommencement of surgeries began on October 8, 2025, with 17 successful pterygium cases already completed and cataract surgeries scheduled to follow shortly.
A thorough assessment of the previous facility led to a phased enhancement program, resulting in significant upgrades to the clinic. These improvements include infrastructural advancements such as the identification of an alternative space, redesigning and retrofitting the area, and installing additional lighting and air conditioning units. The upgraded facility now features an operating theatre, a preoperative room, a recovery room, three examination rooms, a small pharmacy, and a sterilisation room.
The clinic is now equipped with cutting-edge technology, including an ophthalmic surgical system for cataract and retina procedures, a phaco-emulsifier, an anesthesia machine, an eye surgical microscope, and laser machines. A highly skilled team, comprising three ophthalmologists, an optometrist, a medical internist, and five nurses, has been trained to operate the new equipment and ensure efficient patient flow and infection control.
Since its commissioning on December 2, 2024, the clinic has been serving approximately 60 to 70 patients daily. The Ministry of Health has expressed gratitude to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for their support in ensuring the safety of the operating theatre through environmental testing.
The National Eye Clinic offers a wide range of services, including diabetic retinopathy screening and treatment, general eye examinations, surgeries for pterygium and cataracts, internal medicine services, and community outreach programs. Eye care services are available Monday to Friday, with surgeries conducted Monday to Thursday and outpatient visits on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
The public is encouraged to contact the clinic for appointments, and those on the waiting list for surgeries will be notified about their preoperative procedures and surgery dates. The Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering high-quality services through the National Eye Clinic.
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Fight against breast cancer in the west
Breast cancer continues to be a leading cause of death among women in Jamaica, particularly in the western region where Westmoreland has the highest incidence. The Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA) is spearheading efforts to combat this crisis through prevention campaigns, enhanced awareness, and improved diagnostic resources. Health officials across the island emphasize that early detection is critical to saving lives, a message reinforced by Dr. Christopher Tufton, Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness. He has urged women to prioritize early screening to ensure the disease is caught at its most treatable stage. In Westmoreland, the situation is dire, with many patients presenting at advanced stages, limiting treatment options. Dr. Lincoln Cox, a general surgeon at Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, highlighted the challenges of inadequate diagnostic tools and the financial burden of accessing radiological investigations in Montego Bay. The Misty Blue Foundation, supported by the Sandals Foundation, has been pivotal in driving awareness and providing screenings. Their efforts have expanded to include health education in schools, aiming to empower the next generation with knowledge about prevention and early detection. The recent Faith Gifford Breast Cancer Symposium, endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, underscored the importance of aligning national policies with local action to address this public health crisis. As Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed in October, Jamaica remains committed to reducing mortality rates through education, accessible screening, and timely treatment.
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Occupational therapy association aims to expand services in local healthcare
As World Occupational Therapy Day approaches on October 27, the Trinidad and Tobago Occupational Therapy Association (TTOTA) is marking its 20th anniversary with a celebration of progress, inclusion, and advocacy. Under the theme “Occupational Therapy in Action,” the association is highlighting the transformative power of the profession in fostering independence and wellbeing for individuals of all ages.