标签: Antigua and Barbuda

安提瓜和巴布达

  • Weak primary health care threatens lives and economies  –PAHO Lancet Regional Health Commission report

    Weak primary health care threatens lives and economies –PAHO Lancet Regional Health Commission report

    A groundbreaking report by the World Bank and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), titled *No Time to Wait: Resilience as the Cornerstone of Primary Health Care in Latin America and the Caribbean*, has issued a stark warning about the region’s fragile primary health care (PHC) systems. Released during PAHO’s 62nd Directing Council in Washington, D.C., the report highlights the dire consequences of failing to bolster PHC resilience, projecting up to 165,000 preventable deaths and economic losses ranging from $7 to $37 billion in the event of a health crisis. These losses could include 11,300 maternal deaths, 10,000 child deaths, and over 149,000 fatalities from noncommunicable diseases, alongside 14 million unintended pregnancies. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the region’s vulnerabilities, with Latin America and the Caribbean accounting for 30% of global COVID-19 deaths despite representing only 8.5% of the world’s population. Essential health services, such as maternal care, childhood immunization, and chronic disease treatment, plummeted by up to 50%, with some countries experiencing prolonged disruptions. The region’s susceptibility to natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and vector-borne outbreaks, further exacerbates the crisis. The report emphasizes that resilience—defined as the ability to maintain essential services equitably before, during, and after shocks—is not a luxury but a necessity for health security, social stability, and economic growth. To address these challenges, the Commission proposes a five-point action plan: expanding equitable care models, embedding public health functions within PHC, centering communities in decision-making, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and securing sustainable financing. The report serves as a clarion call for governments to prioritize PHC resilience, invest urgently, and ensure universal coverage to safeguard lives and economies.

  • The AT&LU is considering the creation of a credit union for its members

    The AT&LU is considering the creation of a credit union for its members

    The Antigua and Barbuda Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU) is exploring the establishment of a credit union to provide its members with greater financial stability amid rising inflation and economic uncertainty. President Bernard de Nully unveiled the initiative during the union’s 86th Annual Conference, emphasizing its potential to address wage violations, inadequate pension payments, and the escalating cost of living. De Nully described the proposal as a dual-purpose strategy: a practical solution to current economic challenges and a means to strengthen solidarity within the labor movement. He stressed the urgency of the plan, stating, ‘The time is now,’ and highlighted how a member-owned financial institution could offer affordable services and support retirement planning. The president also cautioned that Social Security contributions alone would be insufficient to ensure timely pensions in the coming decade, urging delegates to back measures that enhance worker protections and financial security. The credit union proposal was announced alongside recent wage negotiations, including a 14% increase for non-established workers, reflecting the union’s commitment to delivering tangible benefits and exploring innovative support mechanisms for its members.

  • Dr. Mareba Scott Appointed Executive Director of Antigua and Barbuda’s Environmental Awareness Group

    Dr. Mareba Scott Appointed Executive Director of Antigua and Barbuda’s Environmental Awareness Group

    The Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), Antigua and Barbuda’s premier environmental non-governmental organization, has announced the appointment of Dr. Mareba M. Scott as its new Executive Director. Founded in 1989, the EAG has earned international acclaim for its groundbreaking conservation initiatives, most notably the restoration of Redonda Island, which transformed a desolate, eroded terrain into a flourishing wildlife sanctuary. This project is celebrated as one of the most successful island restoration efforts globally. Dr. Scott, a seasoned sustainability leader with extensive expertise in Caribbean environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and program management, steps into her role with a clear vision to expand the EAG’s global partnerships, enhance fundraising capabilities, and scale transformative projects that benefit both people and wildlife. ‘The EAG has an unparalleled reputation for conservation excellence,’ Dr. Scott remarked. ‘I am deeply honored to lead this incredible organization as we build on its legacy of impact.’ The EAG Board of Directors expressed unanimous enthusiasm for Dr. Scott’s appointment, with President Jermaine Jarvis highlighting her proven ability to engage partners and mobilize resources. Dr. Scott’s prior roles include serving as a Director on the Board of the CARICOM Climate Change Centre, Governing Council Member of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, and Co-Chair of the Caribbean Blue Flag Programme. Over the past two decades, she has successfully managed multi-million-dollar project portfolios, fostering high-level donor relationships to support tourism, disaster risk management, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods across the Caribbean. As Executive Director, Dr. Scott will oversee the EAG’s six core program areas: strategic management, human resources, fundraising, partnership and donor management, operations and financial management, and technical program oversight. Central to her role will be continuing the EAG’s tradition of collaboration with donors, government agencies, NGOs, communities, educators, and the public while expanding its international influence. The EAG remains committed to its mission of protecting and preserving Antigua and Barbuda’s natural heritage. With Dr. Scott at the helm, the organization is poised to deepen its impact, championing conservation, empowering communities, and safeguarding the well-being of both people and wildlife. The future holds immense promise for growth, collaboration, and lasting change, ensuring a thriving legacy for generations to come.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Signs Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2031 with PAHO/WHO

    Antigua and Barbuda Signs Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2031 with PAHO/WHO

    Antigua and Barbuda has reaffirmed its dedication to regional health and unity by signing the Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy (MCCS) 2026–2031 for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries. The signing ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., coincided with the 62nd Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Representing the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, Senator Michael Joseph, Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, formalized the agreement alongside Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kamaria DeCastro. Senator Joseph emphasized the region’s critical juncture, highlighting the dual challenges of non-communicable diseases and infectious threats, exacerbated by climate-related disasters. Despite high life expectancy, health equity gaps persist due to income inequality, vulnerabilities among marginalized groups, and systemic issues like workforce shortages and financing constraints. To address these, governments have bolstered primary health care, advanced national health insurance, and invested in climate-resilient infrastructure. The MCCS outlines five strategic priorities and sixteen deliverables, focusing on equitable resource distribution, sustainable financing, and health data strengthening. The Strategy also symbolizes a renewed commitment to inclusive, people-centered health systems, aligning with PAHO and WHO goals. The signing holds added significance as September marks the anniversaries of several Caribbean nations joining PAHO in the 1980s, reflecting a legacy of regional solidarity. The Ministry of Health extended gratitude to PAHO/WHO and regional partners for their contributions to this forward-looking initiative.

  • The UWI Five Islands Campus Receives Continuing Registration Status from ABNAB

    The UWI Five Islands Campus Receives Continuing Registration Status from ABNAB

    The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus has achieved a significant milestone by receiving continuing registration status from the Antigua and Barbuda National Accreditation Board (ABNAB). This accreditation, granted in September 2025, validates the campus’s adherence to the highest educational standards and allows it to operate until 2027. Established in 2019, the Five Islands Campus is the fifth in the UWI system and has quickly become a cornerstone of higher education in Antigua and Barbuda and the wider OECS region. Principal Professor C. Justin Robinson emphasized the campus’s dedication to maintaining UWI’s legacy of academic excellence, particularly as a modern institution tailored for the digital age. Campus Registrar Dr. Camille Samuel highlighted the rigorous post-pandemic efforts to meet elevated standards, ensuring a seamless transition back to full face-to-face learning. ABNAB praised the campus for its commitment to quality education, marking this achievement as a pivotal step in advancing higher education in the region. The campus offers over 40 degree programs across four schools and houses the Centre of Excellence for Oceanography and the Blue Economy (COBE), underscoring its focus on marine science and sustainable development. This recognition reaffirms UWI Five Islands’ role as a beacon of educational excellence in the Caribbean.

  • Israel Publishes list of all the countries Absent during Netanyahu’s speech, we made the list

    Israel Publishes list of all the countries Absent during Netanyahu’s speech, we made the list

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address at the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday became a global spectacle, not for its content but for the unprecedented walkout that preceded it. According to Israeli officials, 77 delegations either left the hall or were absent during Netanyahu’s 41-minute speech. This mass protest included all of Israel’s immediate neighbors—Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria—as well as key regional players like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran. The walkout was widely covered in international and Arab media, overshadowing Netanyahu’s pledges to “finish the job” against Hamas. Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei even shared images of the protest online, labeling Israel as “the most despised and isolated regime.” While some absences were attributed to scheduling conflicts rather than deliberate boycotts, the event underscored Israel’s growing diplomatic challenges amid the ongoing Gaza war. Notably, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, signatories to the 2020 Abraham Accords, remained seated despite strained relations. The incident highlights the deepening international rift over Israel’s policies and actions in the region.

  • Woman robbed at knifepoint in Hatton

    Woman robbed at knifepoint in Hatton

    Authorities in Hatton have launched an investigation following a harrowing robbery that occurred in the early hours of Monday morning. The incident took place on Union Road at approximately 03:00, where a woman was confronted by two men. One of the assailants brandished a silver knife, demanding the victim’s handbag. The perpetrators made off with $340 in cash and a Samsung mobile phone before fleeing the scene. Despite an immediate search of the area by law enforcement officers, no arrests have been made thus far. The police have assured the public that enquiries are ongoing and are urging anyone with information to come forward. This alarming event has heightened concerns about safety in the area, prompting calls for increased vigilance and security measures.

  • Police Probe Burglary at Medical Surgical Associates in Woods Centre

    Police Probe Burglary at Medical Surgical Associates in Woods Centre

    Authorities are currently investigating a burglary that occurred at the Medical Surgical Associates office located in the Woods Centre, Gambles. The facility, owned by Dr. Joey John, was reportedly broken into between the evening of September 26 and the early hours of September 28. According to preliminary investigations, the perpetrators gained access by prying open a rear door on the eastern side of the building. Once inside, they forcibly entered the accounts office, broke into a locked filing cabinet, and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash and cheques. The suspects are believed to have exited through the same door they used to enter. Forensic teams have already processed the crime scene, and detectives are reviewing CCTV footage as part of their ongoing investigation. The incident has raised concerns about security measures in the area, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

  • Police probe abandoned car in Pares Village

    Police probe abandoned car in Pares Village

    Authorities in Pares Village have launched an investigation after a silver Honda Fit was discovered abandoned in a remote bushland area near Lindsey’s Estate. The vehicle, found without its keys, was reported by a concerned passerby who alerted local law enforcement. Upon arrival, officers cordoned off the scene and called in forensic teams to process the car for potential evidence. After a thorough examination, the vehicle was towed to Police Headquarters for further analysis. The circumstances surrounding how the car ended up in such an isolated location remain unclear, and police are continuing their inquiries to determine the cause. This incident has raised questions among residents about safety and the potential implications of abandoned vehicles in the area. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward.

  • Police probe break-in at All Saints school

    Police probe break-in at All Saints school

    Authorities in All Saints are currently investigating a burglary that occurred at a local primary school during the early hours of Friday night. Intruders reportedly forced their way into the principal’s office, leaving the premises in disarray. The storeroom was also breached, resulting in the theft of a Stihl weed wacker and a set of keys. The total value of the stolen items is yet to be determined. Police conducted a thorough search of the area but were unable to locate any suspects or recover the stolen property. Crime scene investigators have been notified and are actively pursuing leads. The incident has raised concerns among the community, prompting calls for increased security measures at educational institutions. The school administration has yet to release an official statement regarding the break-in. Meanwhile, local law enforcement has urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.