AGP Executive Report

Healthcare Staffing: Nevis is moving closer to opening the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit, with three specialist haemodialysis nurses and a biomedical technician arriving to strengthen local renal care and reduce the need for frequent travel to St. Kitts. Cancer Awareness: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley is urging men to book early prostate cancer screening and consultations ahead of September’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, stressing higher risk for Black men and the danger of waiting for symptoms. Public Health Leadership: PAHO/WHO has welcomed Dr. Eva Jané Llopis as its new representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, aiming to support stronger, more equitable health systems across the region. Infectious Disease Readiness: Eastern Caribbean health professionals trained together on managing severe infections and critical illness, building practical skills for outbreaks and pandemic response. Waste & Environment: Saint Kitts and Nevis explored new strategies to improve waste management and recycling through a multi-agency workshop with international partners. Community Wellness & Food Security: National Tree Planting Day is set for Aug. 29, linking sustainability with backyard food-growing to boost food security. Tourism With a Wellness Angle: Nevis and St. Kitts showcased Nevis’ wellness experiences and authentic island lifestyle to U.S. travel advisors at the ASTA Caribbean Showcase. Safety Reminder: Police are again urging responsible drinking and no drunk driving as CPL crowds are expected. Policy & Health Workforce: Prime Minister Terrance Drew says his administration corrected prior health-sector employment and registration injustices affecting doctors and nurses. Local Health System Tech: St. Kitts and Nevis is rolling out medicinal cannabis “seed-to-sale” tracking to strengthen oversight from the start. Regional Health Equity: Eastern Caribbean countries are also strengthening critical care capacity for severe infections and pandemic preparedness.

Community Health & Care Access: Nevis is moving closer to opening the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit, with three specialist haemodialysis nurses and a biomedical technician arriving to staff the new service—aimed at reducing the need for Nevisians to travel to St. Kitts for renal care. Public Health Leadership: PAHO/WHO has welcomed Dr. Eva Jané Llopis as its new representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience to support stronger, more equitable health systems across the region. Cancer Awareness: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley and the Nevis Department of Gender Affairs are urging men to prioritise early prostate cancer screening ahead of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting higher risk for Black men and the danger of waiting for symptoms. Health Workforce & Fairness: Prime Minister Terrance Drew says his administration has corrected past health-sector injustices, including moving qualified doctors onto full government employment and improving nursing registration access. Environment & Wellness: A multi-agency workshop in St. Kitts explored new strategies to strengthen waste management and recycling, with health, environment, planning, standards, and waste collection officials joined by Taiwan partners. Prevention & Safety: Police are investigating a shooting in Newtown (Aug. 8), with the victim treated at Joseph N. France General Hospital and reported stable. Wellness in the Community: National Tree Planting Day for Independence 43 is set for Aug. 29 (6am–12 noon), linking tree planting to food security and the backyard initiative to grow more food locally. Tourism & Lifestyle: Nevis is ramping up U.S. outreach at the ASTA Caribbean Showcase, pitching wellness experiences and an authentic island lifestyle to more than 70 U.S. travel advisors. Global Health Systems: Eastern Caribbean health professionals trained on managing severe infections and critical illness, using simulation-based learning to improve pandemic and respiratory epidemic readiness. Local Governance & Housing (UK): Claude Hendrickson MBE is calling for stronger Black land and housing ownership in Britain, promoting community land trusts and self-build models that build long-term assets.

Waste & Environment: A half-day workshop in Basseterre brought Federal and Nevis officials together with Taiwan partners to review Saint Kitts and Nevis waste management and recycling, focusing on improving collection, handling, reduction and practical, sustainable solutions. Men’s Health: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley and the Nevis Department of Gender Affairs are urging men to prioritise early prostate cancer screening and medical check-ups ahead of September’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Renal Care Access: Nevis welcomed three specialist haemodialysis nurses and a biomedical technician for the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit, a step toward reducing the need for Nevisians to travel frequently to St. Kitts for treatment. Public Health Capacity: Eastern Caribbean health professionals trained together on managing severe infections and critical illness, using simulation-based learning to strengthen pandemic and respiratory epidemic readiness. Community Wellness & Food Security: St. Kitts marks Independence 43 with National Tree Planting Day on Aug. 29 (6am–12 noon), linking tree planting to backyard food-growing and improved local food security. Health System Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis assumed her PAHO/WHO role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience to support stronger, more equitable health systems.

Prostate Health Push: Nevis leaders are urging men to book early prostate screening and medical checkups ahead of September’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, citing the region’s high burden and higher risk for Black men. Renal Care Staffing: Nevis welcomed three specialist haemodialysis nurses and a biomedical technician for the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit, a step toward bringing renal treatment locally. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis officially began her PAHO/WHO role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience to help strengthen resilient health systems. Critical Care Training: Health professionals across Eastern Caribbean countries trained on managing severe infections and critical illness, using practical simulations to improve pandemic and respiratory-epidemic readiness. Tourism & Wellness Spotlight: Nevis and St. Kitts Tourism Authority showcased Nevis to 70+ U.S. travel advisors at ASTA, highlighting wellness experiences alongside culture, food, and authentic island life. Community Safety & Health: Police renewed calls for responsible drinking during CPL crowds, warning against driving while intoxicated. Disaster Preparedness: A CAP workshop reinforced plans to strengthen multi-hazard early warning systems so alerts reach the right people in time. Local Sustainability: St. Kitts and Nevis marks Independence 43 with National Tree Planting Day on Aug. 29, linking tree planting to food security and backyard growing initiatives.

Health & Safety: A retired RAF pilot died after a medical emergency while snorkeling off St. Kitts during a Caribbean cruise; post-mortem findings pointed to likely underlying conditions such as COPD and severe coronary artery disease. Renal Care: Nevis welcomed four specialist dialysis staff for the Alexandra Hospital unit—three haemodialysis-trained nurses and a biomedical technician—bringing the island closer to local treatment. Public Health Capacity: PAHO/WHO supported simulation-based training for severe infections and critical care for about 25 clinicians across Eastern Caribbean countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis. Disaster Preparedness: Jamaica’s CAP workshop highlighted strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems so alerts reach the right people in time. Community Wellness via Sport: Flow’s “Every Six Gives Back” turns CPL sixes into support for education, sport, health and inclusion, including free connectivity for local cricket clubs in St. Kitts and Nevis. Road Safety: RSCNPF urged responsible drinking ahead of CPL crowds, warning against driving while intoxicated. Tourism & Wellness: Nevis pushed its wellness and authentic experiences to U.S. travel advisors at the ASTA Caribbean Showcase.

Court Ruling on Visas: A U.S. federal judge struck down a Trump-era immigrant visa suspension affecting nationals of 75 countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis—restoring case-by-case processing and bringing relief to families waiting to reunite. Renal Care Build-Out (Nevis): Nevis welcomed specialist haemodialysis nurses and a biomedical technician ahead of the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit opening, a key step toward local treatment and fewer travel burdens for patients. Regional Health Capacity: PAHO/WHO supported simulation-based training for severe infections and critical care for about 25 health professionals across the Eastern Caribbean, with a stronger focus on practical skills and point-of-care ultrasound. Health Workforce Updates (St. Kitts): PM Terrance Drew says his administration corrected past health-sector injustices affecting doctors and nurses, including employment status and nursing registration access. Medicinal Cannabis Oversight: St. Kitts and Nevis is rolling out seed-to-sale tracking for medicinal cannabis, linking plant records to financial transactions to strengthen compliance and anti-money laundering controls. Public Safety (CPL Season): Police urged responsible drinking and no driving while intoxicated as CPL crowds are expected to bring higher alcohol use.

Dialysis Care Moves Closer to Home: Nevis welcomed four specialist staff for the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit—three haemodialysis-trained nurses from the Philippines and a biomedical technician to support equipment maintenance—marking another step toward opening the island’s first dialysis service. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis began her role as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience to help strengthen resilient, equitable health systems across the region. Health Sector Staffing Reforms: Prime Minister Terrance Drew said his administration corrected long-standing health-sector injustices, including moving qualified doctors onto full government employment and improving nursing registration access for professionals trained abroad. Home Sanitation Support: St. Kitts’ National Housing Corporation and Housing Ministry opened applications for sanitary upgrades to help make homes safer and healthier. Wellness in the Spotlight: Nevis and St. Kitts tourism teams showcased wellness experiences to U.S. travel advisors at the ASTA Caribbean Showcase, while police urged responsible drinking ahead of CPL crowds. Community Safety: RSCNPF is investigating a Newtown shooting (Aug. 8) that sent a man to Joseph N. France General Hospital, reported stable.

Renal Care Upgrade: Nevis has welcomed four specialist staff for the soon-to-open Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit—three haemodialysis-trained nurses from the Philippines and a biomedical technician to support and maintain the equipment. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis officially began as the PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience to help strengthen resilient, equitable health systems across the region. Cannabis Accountability: St. Kitts and Nevis is rolling out a seed-to-sale tracking system for medicinal cannabis, with GrowerIQ recording financial transactions alongside plants and batches from the first licence application to support anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing. Health Workforce Policy: Prime Minister Terrance Drew says his administration corrected past health-sector injustices, including moving qualified doctors to full government employment and improving nursing registration access. Community Safety: RSCNPF is investigating a shooting in Newtown (Aug 8) that sent a male victim to Joseph N. France General Hospital; he is reported stable. Wellness & Access: The National Housing Corporation is accepting applications for home sanitary upgrades to help make households safer and healthier.

Road Safety & Sports: Ahead of the CPL home leg in St. Kitts, the RSCNPF is urging fans to drink responsibly and never drive intoxicated, warning officers will act on drunken drivers and can arrest and test suspects. Tourism & Wellness: The Nevis Tourism Authority showcased Nevis at the 2026 ASTA Caribbean Showcase in St. Kitts, pitching boutique stays, heritage, food, beaches and “authentic island experiences” to more than 70 U.S. travel advisors. Health Sector Reform: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew says his administration corrected health-sector “injustices,” including moving qualified doctors from the STEP programme into full government employment and restoring nursing registration access for professionals trained in Cuba. Renal Care Capacity: Nevis welcomed three specialist haemodialysis nurses ahead of the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit opening, aiming to reduce the need for frequent travel to St. Kitts for treatment. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis assumed duties as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience to strengthen resilient, equitable health systems. Medicinal Cannabis Oversight: St. Kitts and Nevis is rolling out seed-to-sale tracking for medicinal cannabis, recording financial transactions alongside plants to support licensing and anti-money laundering obligations. Immigration Update: Caribbean immigration advocates welcomed a U.S. court ruling striking down a Trump visa-processing suspension affecting 75 countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis.

Nevis Health & Jobs: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew says his government has corrected “injustices” in the health sector, including moving qualified doctors from the STEP programme to full government employment and restoring nursing registration access for professionals trained in Cuba. Renal Care Upgrade: Nevis welcomed three specialist haemodialysis nurses ahead of the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit opening, aiming to reduce the need for frequent travel to St. Kitts for treatment. Medicinal Cannabis Oversight: St. Kitts and Nevis is rolling out a seed-to-sale tracking system for medicinal cannabis, requiring financial transactions to be recorded alongside plants and batches to strengthen compliance and anti-money laundering controls. Public Health Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis assumed duties as PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of experience to support more resilient, equitable health systems. Wellness Focus: The Ministry of Health is preparing for Caribbean Wellness Month in September with activities promoting movement, healthy eating, rest, and better understanding of personal health. Water & Health Risk: A drought warning continues through November as rainfall remains far below average, raising concerns for community health and water conservation. Immigration Policy Shock: Nevis Premier Mark Brantley doubled down that CBI “as we know it is dead,” while Caribbean immigration advocates welcomed a U.S. court ruling striking down a Trump visa ban affecting 75 countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis.

PAHO/WHO Leadership: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has assumed the PAHO/WHO role for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, bringing 25 years of public health experience to help strengthen resilient, people-centred health systems. Local Health Workforce: St. Kitts and Nevis is moving forward with data entry into the Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+), supported by PAHO/WHO, to improve health workforce planning. Renal Care Capacity: Nevis welcomed three specialist haemodialysis-trained nurses ahead of the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit opening, aiming to reduce the need for frequent travel for renal treatment. Wellness Push: The Ministry of Health is gearing up for Caribbean Wellness Month in September, with activities focused on movement, healthy eating, rest, and better understanding of health to help prevent illness. Medicinal Cannabis Oversight: The Medicinal Cannabis Authority has contracted GrowerIQ for a national seed-to-sale system that tracks financial transactions alongside plants and batches, tied to anti-money laundering rules. Health Equity & Access: The government is accepting applications for home sanitary upgrades through the National Housing Corporation, supporting safer, healthier living conditions.

Nevis Healthcare: Nevis has welcomed three specialist haemodialysis nurses ahead of the Alexandra Hospital dialysis unit opening, a move aimed at keeping renal care on island and reducing repeated travel to St. Kitts. Health Systems: PAHO/WHO praised St. Kitts and Nevis for starting data entry into the Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+), supporting stronger workforce planning for preparedness and response. Wellness & Prevention: The Ministry of Health is gearing up for Caribbean Wellness Month in September, with activities encouraging people to move more, eat well, rest better, and learn how to prevent illness. Renal & Community Support: The Elevate Program donated to Kentab Tyson to help cover medical expenses ahead of surgery. Public Health & Safety: A shooting in Newtown on Aug. 8 left a man wounded; he’s reported stable as police investigate. Cost of Living Relief: The 2026 Back-to-School Voucher Programme is underway, offering EC$250 per eligible child to ease school-start costs. Drought Watch: St. Kitts remains under a drought warning through November as rainfall stays well below normal. Regional Health Diplomacy: Dr. Eva Jané Llopis has assumed PAHO/WHO duties for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, focusing on resilient, equitable health systems. Immigration Policy (Caribbean impact): A US court struck down a Trump visa ban affecting 75 countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis, restoring case-by-case processing.

Court & Community: Caribbean immigration advocates in New York are welcoming a U.S. federal court ruling that blocks the Trump administration from indefinitely suspending immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including St. Kitts and Nevis—restoring case-by-case review. Local Economy & Jobs: St. Kitts and Nevis faces fresh pressure as the Park Hyatt seasonal closure is expected to cut wages and spending during an already tight period marked by CBI revenue decline and high living costs. Public Safety: RSCNPF is investigating a Newtown shooting (Aug 8) where a man was treated at Joseph N. France General Hospital and is reported stable. Health Systems: PAHO/WHO commends the Ministry of Health as St. Kitts and Nevis begins data entry into the Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+), built on DHIS2, to strengthen workforce planning. Wellness Focus: The Health Ministry is gearing up for Caribbean Wellness Month in September with activities encouraging movement, healthy eating, rest, and better self-care. Household Support: The 2026 Back-to-School Voucher Programme continues to ease costs with EC$250 per eligible child. Water Watch: Drought conditions persist into the wet season, with officials urging vigilance and water conservation.

Public Safety: RSCNPF is investigating a Newtown shooting on Aug. 8 (3–5 a.m.) that sent a man to Joseph N. France General Hospital; he’s reported stable and police are asking for public help. Cost-of-Living Pressure: Park Hyatt’s seasonal closure is expected to cut wages and spending just as households report tight budgets, with the IMF pointing to slowing growth and weaker CBI inflows. Health System Upgrade: St. Kitts and Nevis has begun rolling out the National Digital Health Information System (NDHIS) at JNF General Hospital, aiming for more integrated, patient-centred care. Workforce Planning: PAHO/WHO backed the start of data entry into the Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+), supporting stronger health staffing decisions. Community Health Promotion: The Ministry of Health is preparing Caribbean Wellness Month activities in September, focusing on movement, healthy eating, rest, and illness prevention. Household Support: The 2026 Back-to-School Voucher Programme offers EC$250 per eligible child (applications open Aug. 17–Dec. 31). Drought Watch: A drought warning continues through November as rainfall remains far below normal, urging water conservation. Housing Health: NHC St. Kitts is accepting applications for home sanitary upgrades to improve safety and wellbeing. Regional Wellness & Learning: CXC flags rising exam absenteeism and irregularities, urging education officials to address attendance gaps. Agriculture for Resilience: Coconut seedlings were distributed with training for farmers to rebuild a local, income-generating coconut industry.

Health Tech Upgrade: St. Kitts and Nevis has begun rolling out a Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+) to strengthen health workforce planning, with PAHO/WHO support and data entry starting as the system moves toward full operation. Hospital Modernisation: The National Digital Health Information System (NDHIS) has been deployed at Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital, aiming to move beyond paper records for a more integrated, patient-centred service. Home Sanitation Support: The Ministry of Housing and Human Settlement and NHC St. Kitts are accepting applications for sanitary upgrades to make homes safer and healthier. Back-to-School Relief: The 2026 Back-to-School Voucher Programme is underway, offering EC$250 per eligible child to ease costs for uniforms, supplies and more. Wellness Focus: The Health Ministry is gearing up for Caribbean Wellness Month in September with activities promoting movement, healthy eating, rest, and better health awareness. Education Concern: CXC is flagging rising student absenteeism and exam irregularities after tens of thousands of candidates missed exams. Water & Drought Watch: Drought conditions are expected to persist through November, with rainfall far below normal, urging vigilance and water conservation. Radiation Safety Training: A regional course is training professionals to better manage radiation-related risks and emergency preparedness. Community Care: The Elevate Program donated to help Kentab Tyson with medical expenses ahead of surgery.

Health Systems Upgrade: St. Kitts and Nevis is moving ahead with stronger health planning, starting data entry into a Centralised Health Workforce Database (CHWD+) with PAHO/WHO support, to help the Ministry make better, evidence-based decisions. Digital Health: The National Digital Health Information System (NDHIS) has been deployed at the Joseph N. France General Hospital, aiming to modernise records and improve patient-centred care. Home Health & Sanitation: The National Housing Corporation is now accepting applications for home sanitary upgrades, with support routed through the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlement in Basseterre. School Nutrition Relief: The 2026 Back-to-School Voucher Programme is underway, offering EC$250 per eligible child to ease costs for uniforms, supplies and other school needs. Wellness Focus: The Ministry of Health is preparing for Caribbean Wellness Month in September, with activities encouraging people to move more, eat well and rest better. Public Health Education: CXC is flagging rising exam absenteeism and irregularities, warning that missed exam components can cost students their chance to be graded. Drought Watch: A drought warning is expected to last through November as rainfall remains far below normal, with El Niño cited as a key driver. Community Support: The Elevate Program donated to help cover medical expenses for Kentab Tyson ahead of surgery. Agriculture & Food Security: Coconut seedlings were distributed to farmers to rebuild local production, supported by CARDI, with training on propagation and pest management.