分类： Health

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has commended the organisers of a recent four-day health fair that provided an estimated EC$4 million worth of free medical services to more than 1,100 residents.

The event—jointly hosted by United Hands Inc. and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in collaboration with the Ministry of Health—took place at the Multipurpose Cultural Centre and delivered a wide range of services, including dental care, eye screenings, and general medical check-ups.

Director General in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maurice Merchant, shared the figures during the post-Cabinet media briefing on Wednesday. He reported that of the total recipients, over 400 were children who received assessments, treatment, and referrals.

The dental component of the fair alone was valued at approximately EC$2.5 million, with services including cleanings, extractions, and advanced procedures such as root canals. Eye care services, including screenings and the distribution of prescription glasses, were valued at a further EC$1.5 million.

“This was not just a routine check-up event,” Merchant said. “This was an intensive delivery of care that provided real, immediate value to patients across the country.”

The Cabinet has since approved further collaboration with United Hands and the SDA Church’s health programme division, particularly in light of the high demand for services and the identification of gaps in current healthcare delivery.

Among the issues highlighted was a growing need for expanded dental care, especially among children, and improved access to healthcare for the elderly.

In response, the Ministry of Health has committed to launching a national school dental programme beginning in September and to reviewing clinic operating hours to better accommodate working families and caregivers.

Merchant noted that while public healthcare facilities are already equipped for many of these services, barriers such as cost and scheduling continue to limit access for many residents.

“Events like this help us see clearly where the system must improve,” he said.

The health fair ended on a high note, with praise from both government and civil society. Organisers and volunteers were thanked for their role in what is being described as one of the most impactful community health events in recent years.

Permanent Secretary Colin O’Keiffe has visited several key agencies under the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment, and Civil Service Affairs to review operations and ongoing projects.

Accompanied by Principal Assistant Secretary Gwendolyn Carter-Joseph, Mr O’Keiffe met with staff at the Department of Environment, the National Solid Waste Management Authority, and the Pharmacy Council.

The visits focused on addressing operational challenges, strengthening collaboration, and improving service delivery in health, environmental management, and public welfare.

Day three of the Health Fair, held in collaboration between the Ministry of Health, United Health Incorporated, and the Seventh-day Adventist South Leeward Conference, continues successfully. With just one day remaining in this four-day event, hundreds of persons have already taken advantage of the wide range of free services offered, including medical check-ups, vision care, and dental services.

Organizers are encouraged by the continued strong turnout and look forward to welcoming more participants on the final day tomorrow.

The Health Fair remains open to all and aims to promote health awareness and improve wellness.

Deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, have surged by 43% in the Americas since 2000, reaching 6 million in 2021, according to the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) NCDs at a Glance 2025 report, released today. Noncommunicable diseases are the main cause of death, accounting for 65% of all deaths in the region, with nearly 40% occurring before age 70. While aging and population growth contribute to this burden, the increase is largely driven by modifiable risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol consumption. According to the report, cardiovascular diseases led with 2.16 million deaths, followed by cancer (1.37 million), diabetes (over 420,000), and chronic respiratory conditions (more than 416,000). Suicide, the fourth leading cause of death among youth aged 15–29, claimed 100,760 lives.

“The surge in NCD deaths is an urgent wake-up call,” stated Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director. “Too many people are dying prematurely from diseases that are largely preventable and treatable. With early detection, timely diagnosis, access to care, and strong policies, we can save lives. This report gives countries the tools they need to act.”

Risk factors rising fast In 2022, obesity affected 33.8% of adults—a 28% increase since 2010—while physical inactivity rose to 35.6%. Diabetes prevalence reached 13.1%, while 43 million people over 30 are unable to access needed care. Hypertension affects more than a third of adults, yet only 36.4% are controlled.

The report also addresses environmental and mental health challenges. Air pollution increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and suicide rates have risen by 17.4% since 2000, with three times as many men affected as women.

Some progress, but the region is off track Despite increasing trends in total deaths, age-standardized mortality rates show some progress since 2000:

• NCD mortality rates declined by 16.2%.

• Cardiovascular and chronic respiratory disease mortality rates dropped by nearly 30%.

• Cancer mortality rates fell by 24.6%.

There has also been progress on some modifiable risk factors since 2000:

• Tobacco use declined by 22.1%.

• Diabetes treatment coverage rose from 46.6% to 57.7%.

However, the Region of the Americas is not on track to meet the global goal of a 25% reduction in premature NCD mortality by 2025. From 2010 to 2021, premature mortality decreased by just 8%. Only five countries—Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Chile, and Grenada—are on track. However, eleven more member states could meet this goal with accelerated efforts.

A roadmap for accelerating NCD progress To reduce the burden of NCDs, countries should scale up prevention policies—such as tobacco and alcohol control, front-of-package nutrition labeling, and physical activity promotion—and strengthen primary care for early detection and management of hypertension, diabetes, and cancers. Mental health and suicide prevention should also be integrated at the first level of care.

Initiatives such as PAHO’s HEARTS program, now active in 33 countries and reaching 5.7 million people for hypertension treatment, and a key pillar of the Better Care for NCDs initiative, is helping countries strengthen primary care systems and implement national action plans.

The NCDs at a Glance 2025—PAHO’s second edition—can help shape policy ahead of the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing in September 2025, when countries are expected to adopt a new political declaration. This offers a key opportunity to accelerate progress by addressing inequities, reshaping health systems, and tackling the root causes of NCDs.

A group of sickle cell patients staged a protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office, calling for better care and greater empathy from staff at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

The demonstrators said that while medical staff are skilled, there is a lack of understanding towards those with chronic conditions like sickle cell disease and asthma.

Patient Kevin George told Observer that visible pain appears to be the main trigger for treatment, and pain often persists even after discharge. He also raised concerns about frequent shortages of sickle cell medication, forcing patients to make repeated hospital visits — sometimes within hours.

A mother said her daughter has lost jobs due to repeated absences linked to the illness and inconsistent access to medication, adding that she had to buy a portable bed to care for her child.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne is currently attending a conference in Seville, Spain.