AGP Executive Report

Health Leadership: Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley urged young diaspora professionals to bring their skills home, naming healthcare among the fields that could support national development. Mental Health: Hanley said the government is working to expand counselling, school-based support and access to specialists, including through virtual consultations. Medical Imaging: The National MRI Centre at Joseph N. France General Hospital is moving closer to completion, with its scanner expected to arrive in early November. Nevis Mental Health Care: The Nevis Island Administration is seeking a psychiatrist for its Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre. Prime Minister’s Recovery: Dr. Terrance Drew returned to St. Kitts and Nevis on October 24 after overseas treatment and rehabilitation following a stroke, and was cleared by doctors to resume his duties.

Mental Health: Acting Prime Minister and Health Minister Geoffrey Hanley says the government is expanding counselling, school-based support and access to specialist care. Guidance counsellors serve all primary and secondary schools, while a returning clinical psychologist and overseas specialists are also supporting services, including through telehealth. Diagnostic Care: The National MRI Centre at Joseph N. France General Hospital is moving closer to completion, with its main chiller installed and the MRI machine expected in early November. Nevis Services: The Nevis Island Administration is recruiting a psychiatrist for the Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre, which provides care at Alexandra Hospital. Older Adults: Seniors marched through Basseterre to mark Older Persons Month, celebrating their contributions and calling attention to the needs of an ageing population.

Diagnostic Care: The National MRI Centre at Joseph N. France General Hospital has reached another milestone with its main chiller installed. Electrical and network work is next, and the MRI machine is expected in early November. Mental Health: Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley says the government is working to expand counselling, school-based support and access to specialist care. Nevis is also recruiting a psychiatrist for its Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre. Travel Health: An Ebola-related advisory bars non-national travellers who have visited or transited through six listed African countries in the previous 21 days from entering St. Kitts and Nevis. Healthy Ageing: Seniors marched through Basseterre for Older Persons Month, celebrating older residents’ contributions and calling attention to support for longer lives. Food Security: St. Kitts and Nevis’ agriculture minister will chair the OECS agriculture council, with priorities including stronger regional food and nutrition security and safer food systems.

Diagnostic Care: The National MRI Centre at Joseph N. France General Hospital has installed its main chiller, with electrical and network work and construction of the imaging suite still ahead. The MRI machine is expected in early November, with installation planned to take about a week. Mental Health: Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley says the government is working to expand counselling, school-based support and access to specialised care. Guidance counsellors serve all primary and secondary schools, and a psychiatrist vacancy has been announced for Nevis’s Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre. Disease Prevention: Ebola-related travel restrictions remain in effect for non-nationals who visited or transited through six designated high-risk countries within 21 days before travel to the Federation. Healthy Ageing: Seniors marched through Basseterre to mark Older Persons Month, highlighting the value and contributions of older residents.

MRI Progress: The National MRI Centre at Joseph N. France General Hospital has its main chiller installed, with electrical and network work and construction of the scanner’s protective room still to come. The MRI machine is expected in early November. Mental Health Care: Nevis is recruiting a psychiatrist for its Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre, including care for patients at Alexandra Hospital. Regional Health Funding: A US$61.5 million Caribbean healthcare initiative was announced as part of a wider US regional funding package; the health funding is subject to congressional approval. Travel Health: St. Kitts and Nevis is restricting entry by non-nationals who have visited six Ebola-risk countries within the previous 21 days. Patient Safety: The Ministry of Health says it is investigating a patient’s death in the hospital’s Accident & Emergency Department on October 12; a post-mortem is planned to establish the cause.

Medical Imaging: Installation of the National MRI Centre’s main chiller is complete, with electrical and network work next. The MRI machine is expected in early November, bringing specialised scans at Joseph N. France General Hospital closer. Mental Health: Nevis is recruiting a psychiatrist for its Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre, including care for patients at Alexandra Hospital. Health Systems: St. Kitts and Nevis took part in a Taiwan forum on digital health, where officials discussed using technology while protecting patient privacy and data. Patient Safety: The Health Ministry is investigating a patient’s death at JNF Hospital’s Accident & Emergency Department on October 12; a post-mortem is planned. Travel Health: Ebola-related entry restrictions remain in effect for non-nationals who have visited or transited through six listed African countries within 21 days of travel.

MRI Centre: Installation of the main chiller is complete at the National MRI Centre at Joseph N. France General Hospital. Electrical, network and air-conditioning work is next, with the MRI machine expected to arrive in early November. Mental Health: Nevis is recruiting a psychiatrist for its Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre, including care for patients at Alexandra Hospital. Patient Safety: The Health Ministry is investigating a patient’s death at JNF Hospital on October 12; a post-mortem is planned, and no findings have been announced. Infectious Disease: Travel restrictions remain in effect for non-nationals who visited or transited through six Ebola-risk countries within 21 days of travel to St. Kitts and Nevis. Health Leadership: Prime Minister Terrance Drew is expected home October 24 after stroke treatment and rehabilitation overseas; Acting PM Geoffrey Hanley says doctors have cleared him to resume full duties.

MRI Centre: The National MRI Centre at Joseph N. France General Hospital has a new main chiller installed. Electrical, network and air-conditioning work is next; the MRI machine is expected in early November. Digital Health: St. Kitts and Nevis took part in Taiwan’s Global Health and Welfare Forum, focused on digital care, AI and data privacy. PM’s Recovery: Acting PM Geoffrey Hanley says Dr. Terrance Drew has completed rehabilitation and is cleared to resume full duties; he is expected home October 24. Patient Safety: The Ministry of Health is investigating a patient’s death at JNF Hospital on October 12. A post-mortem is planned, and officials have met with the family. Nevis Mental Health: The Nevis Island Administration is recruiting a psychiatrist for its Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre, including care for patients at Alexandra Hospital. Ebola Precautions: Travel restrictions took effect October 15 for non-nationals who visited or transited through six designated high-risk countries within the previous 21 days.

PM’s Recovery: Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley says Terrance Drew will return home on October 24 after overseas treatment and rehabilitation for a stroke; doctors have cleared him to resume full duties. Digital Health: St. Kitts and Nevis joined the annual health and welfare forum in Taiwan, where officials discussed using AI and digital tools in health care while protecting privacy and data. Mental Health Care: Nevis is recruiting a psychiatrist for its Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre, which also serves patients at Alexandra Hospital. Patient Safety: The Health Ministry is investigating a patient’s death at Joseph N. France General Hospital on October 12; a post-mortem is planned. Public Health: Ebola-related entry restrictions took effect October 15 for non-nationals who visited or transited through six designated high-risk countries within the previous 21 days. Healthy Living: Nevis’s Pink Power Card challenge encourages breast cancer awareness, early detection, exercise and healthy eating during Pinktober.

PM’s Recovery: Acting Prime Minister Geoffrey Hanley says Dr. Terrance Drew will return home October 24 after overseas treatment and rehabilitation. Drew has been cleared to resume his duties. Mental Health Care: Nevis is seeking a psychiatrist for its Behavioural Health & Wellness Centre, including to assess and treat patients at Alexandra Hospital. Patient Safety: The Health Ministry is investigating a patient’s death at Joseph N. France General Hospital on October 12; a post-mortem will help determine the cause. Ebola Precautions: Travel restrictions took effect October 15 for non-nationals who have visited or transited through six countries identified as high risk within the previous 21 days. Food Safety: A new food handlers’ permit system requires a medical certificate, a EC$50 fee and food safety training; permits are valid for one year. Breast Health: Nevis’s Pink Power Card challenge encourages screening awareness and healthier habits during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Regional Health Funding: The United States announced US$61.5 million for a Caribbean health initiative as part of a wider US$340.3 million regional package.

Older Adults: Seniors marched through Basseterre on October 16 to mark Older Persons Month, celebrating their contributions and calling attention to support for longer lives. Travel Health: Ebola-related entry restrictions took effect October 15. Non-nationals who visited or transited through six listed high-risk countries within the previous 21 days are barred from entering St. Kitts and Nevis. Patient Safety: The Health Ministry is investigating a patient’s death at Joseph N. France General Hospital on October 12; a post-mortem is planned as part of the inquiry. Food Safety: A new food handlers’ permit system requires a medical certificate, food-safety training and an annual EC$50 permit. Breast Health: Nevis’s Pink Power Card challenge promotes breast cancer awareness, early detection and healthy habits during October. Recovery: Prime Minister Terrance Drew says he has completed stroke rehabilitation and has been cleared to resume full duties. Regional Health Funding: The United States announced US$61.5 million for a Caribbean health initiative as part of a wider regional funding package.

Healthcare Access: A new commentary has renewed questions about the limits of specialised care in St. Kitts and Nevis after Prime Minister Terrance Drew was flown overseas for treatment following his stroke. Drew has since completed rehabilitation and been cleared to return to full duties. Healthy Ageing: Seniors marched through Basseterre on October 16 to mark Older Persons Month and highlight their contributions. Ebola Precautions: Travel restrictions took effect October 15: non-nationals who visited or transited through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya or Burundi within the previous 21 days cannot enter the Federation. Patient Safety: The Ministry of Health is investigating a patient’s death at Joseph N. France General Hospital on October 12; a post-mortem is planned, and the Ministry says it has met with the family. Prevention and Food Safety: Nevis’s Pink Power Card challenge promotes breast awareness, exercise and healthy choices. A new food-handler permit system also requires a medical certificate, training and an annual EC$50 fee.

Healthcare Access: New commentary has renewed questions about the limits of local specialist care after Prime Minister Terrance Drew was flown overseas for treatment following his stroke. Separately, the Health Ministry is investigating a patient’s death at Joseph N. France General Hospital on October 12; a post-mortem is planned. Ebola Prevention: Since October 15, non-nationals who visited or transited through any of six designated high-risk countries within 21 days cannot enter St. Kitts and Nevis. Healthy Ageing: Seniors marched through Basseterre on October 16 to mark Older Persons Month and celebrate older people’s contributions. Food Safety: A new food handlers’ permit system is in effect, requiring a recent medical certificate, food-safety training and an annual EC$50 fee. Breast Health: Nevis’s Pink Power Card Challenge promotes breast-cancer awareness, early detection and healthy habits throughout October.

Healthy Ageing: Seniors marched through Basseterre on October 16 to mark Month of Older Persons, celebrating their contributions and calling attention to the needs of an ageing population. Ebola Precautions: Travel restrictions effective October 15 bar non-nationals from entering St. Kitts and Nevis if they visited or transited through six listed high-risk countries within the previous 21 days. Hospital Review: The Health Ministry is investigating a patient’s death at Joseph N. France General Hospital on October 12; a post-mortem will help determine the official cause. Regional Health Funding: A new U.S. Caribbean package includes $61.5 million for a regional health initiative, alongside funding for security and digital connectivity; no specific allocation for St. Kitts and Nevis was announced. Food Safety: A new food-handler permit system requires a medical certificate, training and a $50 fee; permits are valid for one year. Breast Health: Nevis’s Pinktober challenge encourages breast-health awareness, early detection and healthy habits, while offering participants a chance to win a gynaecological consultation.

Healthy Ageing: Seniors marched through Basseterre on October 16 to mark Month of Older Persons, celebrating their contributions and the value of longer, healthier lives. Travel Health: Ebola-related restrictions took effect October 15: non-nationals who have visited or transited through six listed high-risk countries within the previous 21 days will not be allowed into St. Kitts and Nevis. Regional Health Funding: A new US$340.3 million Caribbean and Central America package includes US$61.5 million for a regional health initiative, alongside funding for security and digital connectivity. Hospital Safety: The Ministry of Health is investigating a patient’s death at Joseph N. France General Hospital on October 12; a post-mortem is planned, and officials say the investigation is underway. Food Safety: A new food handlers’ permit system requires a recent medical certificate, food-safety training and an annual EC$50 permit. Recovery: Prime Minister Terrance Drew says he has completed stroke rehabilitation and been medically cleared to resume full duties.

Travel Health: St. Kitts and Nevis’ Ebola advisory, effective October 15, bars non-nationals who visited or transited through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya or Burundi in the previous 21 days. Regional Health Funding: The U.S. announced US$61.5 million for a Caribbean health initiative as part of a wider US$340.3 million regional package. Hospital Accountability: The Ministry of Health is investigating a patient’s October 12 death at Joseph N. France General Hospital. A coroner-directed post-mortem is planned, and the Ministry asks the public to respect the family’s privacy. Recovery: Prime Minister Terrance Drew says he has completed rehabilitation after a stroke and been medically cleared to resume full duties. Food Safety: A new food-handler permit system requires a medical certificate, approved training and an EC$50 fee; permits are valid for one year. Breast Health: Nevis’ Pinktober challenge promotes breast awareness, early detection and healthy habits, while women are urged to schedule breast examinations.