Dr. Griffin Benjamin, the head of Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, continues to be on administrative leave weeks after his suspension, with no updates from the Ministry of Health regarding his potential return. The Dominican psychiatrist was relieved of his duties in early September due to what the ministry described as ‘serious concerns’ about his conduct and management of the facility. As part of the suspension, Dr. Benjamin was instructed to surrender all hospital property, prohibited from entering government institutions, and restricted from leaving Antigua and Barbuda without written authorization. The investigation reportedly focuses on two key issues: the confinement of an American University of Antigua student and the administration of an antipsychotic drug not included in the government’s formulary, despite its presence on the broader Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) list. The ministry emphasized that the suspension was a precautionary measure, but the lack of updates has left the hospital without a permanent medical director since his removal. The prolonged absence of leadership raises concerns about the hospital’s operations and the welfare of its patients.
分类： health
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Canada-funded UNFPA workshop enhances frontline healthcare providers in Dominica’s efforts to prevent and control STIs
Over twenty frontline healthcare professionals from Dominica’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Social Services have significantly enhanced their expertise in preventing and treating Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) following an intensive two-day training session. The workshop, funded by Canada’s Global Affairs Department under the Build Back Equal Initiative, was facilitated by UNFPA, the United Nations agency dedicated to sexual and reproductive health. The training, which commenced on October 20, 2025, aimed to bolster Dominica’s healthcare infrastructure and promote gender equality. Honourable Kent Edwards, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Social Services, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the critical role of international partnerships in strengthening disease prevention, early detection, and effective STI management. He highlighted that addressing STIs extends beyond clinical concerns, intersecting with broader issues such as healthcare access, social stigma, and adolescent health. Thu Trang Nguyen, Second Secretary for Development at Global Affairs Canada, praised Dominica’s leadership in health priorities and underscored the importance of knowledge transfer in building a resilient health system. Jenny Karlsen, Deputy Director of UNFPA’s Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, stressed the need for increased investments in women’s health issues, particularly in addressing menopause-related stigma and misinformation. The event concluded with the presentation of sexual and reproductive health commodities to the Parliamentary Secretary, symbolizing the tangible outcomes of the Build Back Equal Project.
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Minister of State and Permanent Secretary Attend OECS Meetings in Grenada
Senator Michael Joseph, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment, and Civil Service Affairs, alongside Permanent Secretary Mr. Colin O’Keiffe, is actively participating in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Pooled Procurement Services (PPS) Meeting and the Ministers of Health Meeting in Grenada. This pivotal five-day event, scheduled from October 20 to 24, 2025, convenes senior officials and technical experts from OECS member states to deliberate on strategies for enhancing regional pharmaceutical procurement and supply chain management. The OECS Pooled Procurement Services initiative is a cornerstone in ensuring the accessibility, affordability, and quality of essential medicines and medical supplies across the Eastern Caribbean. Key topics on the agenda include cost containment, equitable access to healthcare resources, and the fortification of procurement systems to bolster resilient healthcare delivery. The presence of Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation highlights the government’s dedication to fostering regional cooperation and advancing efficient, transparent, and sustainable health systems for the benefit of its citizens. The Ministry anticipates the outcomes of this critical engagement and is committed to implementing recommendations that will refine national procurement processes and enhance health security for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.
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Winners step out to promote healthier living
In a vibrant celebration of health and wellness, Barbados’ Ministry of Health and Wellness, alongside the National Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Commission, honored the winners of the National Sneaker Day campaign on September 26. The initiative, designed to encourage Barbadians to embrace more active lifestyles, was hailed as a resounding success, blending playful participation with a serious call for healthier living. The campaign garnered 117 social media entries, with 111 meeting the official criteria, showcasing the growing enthusiasm for wellness across the nation. At a prize-giving ceremony held at the Frank Walcott Building, individuals and organizations were recognized for their creative and impactful contributions. Suleiman Bulbulia, Chair of the NCD Commission, praised the campaign’s success, emphasizing the urgent need to address the NCD crisis in Barbados. “Eighty percent or more of our deaths are attributed to NCDs—diabetes, hypertension, cancer—and now mental health has been added to that list,” he stated. Bulbulia stressed that most NCDs are preventable through better lifestyle choices, particularly increased physical activity. Among the winners were Jamal Maynard of the City of Bridgetown Co-operative Credit Union for Most Creative Post, Sagicor Life Inc. for Most Liked Post, Salena Small as Individual Winner, and Ignatius Byer Primary School as Group Winner. Bulbulia highlighted the importance of instilling healthy habits early, noting the inclusion of a school among the awardees. Dr. Kimberly Phillips, Senior Medical Officer of Health, commended participants and underscored the necessity of collective action to combat sedentary lifestyles. “We want to make movement fun again,” she said, urging Barbadians to see physical activity as an enjoyable part of daily life. Prizes included gym memberships, tickets to the Atlantis Submarine experience, and a group trip for 40 Ignatius Byer Primary pupils to the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary. Dr. Phillips concluded with a call for unity: “If we are going to reverse the current situation, we have to do it together. Barbados, let us continue to participate and support each other.”
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Joseph Calls for Stronger Regulation and Investment in Midwifery Workforce
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.
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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.