Ministry of Health & The Environment, Antigua and Barbuda

24/09/2026

(Ministry of Health and Trinidad Eye Hospital Expand School Vision Screening Programme)

The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs in partnership with Trinidad Eye Hospital continues to strengthen efforts to identify and address vision-related concerns among students through a comprehensive school vision screening programme.

As of 23 September 2026, approximately 2,567 students across 24 schools have been screened as part of the initiative. Approximately 11 per cent of students screened did not meet the initial vision-screening criteria and have been identified for further optometric and/or refraction assessment.

The screenings have also identified a range of refractive and ocular conditions, including astigmatism, myopia, anisometropia, strabismus and dry eye. Several students have also been identified for further clinical investigation for conditions involving the optic disc, including optic disc dragging and possible paediatric glaucoma, as well as abnormal changes affecting the macula.

The Ministry emphasizes that a screening result is not, in itself, a diagnosis. Students requiring additional assessment will be referred for the appropriate follow-up to determine whether further clinical care or intervention is necessary.

Participation in the programme has also increased as the initiative has progressed. School participation has ranged from approximately 50 per cent at some schools to full participation at others, with the average participation rate now approximately 75 per cent.

Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, the Honourable Michael Joseph, welcomed the continued collaboration with Trinidad Eye Hospital, noting the importance of identifying vision concerns early.

“Good vision is fundamental to a child's ability to learn, participate and thrive. Through this partnership, we are bringing screening closer to our students and creating opportunities to identify concerns that may otherwise go unnoticed. Early identification allows for appropriate follow-up and, where necessary, intervention. This is an important investment in the health and educational wellbeing of our children.”

The programme will continue at the following schools during the remainder of September:

Friday, 25 September 2026
J.T. Ambrose Primary School
Liberta Primary School
Sea View Farm Primary School

Monday, 28 September 2026
Baptist Academy Primary
Foundation Mixed Primary

Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Island Academy
New Bethel SDA Academy
Minoah Magnet Academy
Tabernacle Academy

Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Seventh-day Adventist Primary
St. John’s Lutheran

The Ministry of Health encourages parents and guardians to support the programme by ensuring that children participate when screening is offered at their schools and by following through with recommended referrals where additional assessment is indicated.

The Ministry of Health expresses appreciation to Trinidad Eye Hospital, participating schools, teachers, parents and guardians for their continued cooperation and support as the programme advances.

24/09/2026

Mental health conditions strongly influence how people take, manage, and respond to prescribed treatments. Mental health issues significantly impact the ability to adhere to medication regimens.

24/09/2026

(Minister Joseph calls for coastal protection and fair access to climate finance at Germany)

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Environment, Hon. Michael Joseph called for stronger coastal protection and fairer access to climate finance at a working lunch co-hosted by Germany and Palau at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations.

Minister Joseph commended Germany’s climate leadership, including the Petersberg Climate Dialogue and its contributions to the Adaptation Fund. He stressed that the test of a partnership is whether communities feel its impact on the ground.

He described the pressures already facing Antigua and Barbuda: receding shorelines, coral bleaching, prolonged drought and intense rainfall that can overwhelm drainage systems. Coastal protection, reef restoration and watershed management, he said, must be treated as connected priorities for countries whose livelihoods and tourism depend on healthy land and seas.

The Minister urged financing partners to recognise the vulnerability of small island developing states when determining access to support. Income classification alone cannot capture the economic damage a single hurricane can cause. He called for wider use of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index and financing terms that allow countries to build resilience without deepening their debt.

Minister Joseph also highlighted the SIDS Centre of Excellence in Antigua and Barbuda as a means of helping island states with limited staff develop fundable projects, connect with financing partners and monitor results.

Looking ahead to COP31, he reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s support for the 1.5°C goal and called for climate commitments to deliver visible protection for island communities.

24/09/2026

(Minister Joseph calls for investment in health systems for small island states)

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, Michael Joseph, called for stronger partnerships and immediate investment in small island health systems during his keynote remarks at the Global Health Futures Forum, held at United Nations Headquarters today.

Minister Joseph said that data is helping Antigua and Barbuda identify health needs and direct limited resources where they can make the greatest difference. He highlighted a programme to improve access to reading glasses for people with presbyopia, supporting quality of life and the ability to work. He also pointed to an initiative to screen 16,000 schoolchildren so that vision problems can be identified and addressed early.

“Many children grow up believing that the way they see is the way the world looks,” the Minister said. “Early screening gives us the chance to identify a problem and help a child before it affects years of learning.”

The Minister welcomed the potential of artificial intelligence, including its use in stroke assessment and analysis of images from eye examinations. He stressed, however, that new technology must be matched by investment in essential supplies, diagnostic equipment and the health systems needed to deliver care.

For small island developing states, he said, these needs sit alongside recurring climate threats and tight public finances. Building a more equitable future for healthcare therefore requires partners willing to invest in present needs as well as emerging innovations.

“Before we can talk about the future of healthcare, we have to address what people need today,” Minister Joseph said. “We see real opportunity in new technology, but governments like ours cannot build the necessary capacity alone. We need partnerships and investment now.”

The Global Health Futures Forum brought together leaders from government, healthcare, technology, investment and philanthropy to discuss practical ways to improve health outcomes.

23/09/2026

It’s Pharmacy Week and we are happy to celebrate our Pharmacy Team!

Pharmacists are that connection between mental health, physical health and medicinal use and our Pharmacist, Orlanda Smalls is here to tell us all about it!

23/09/2026

Our Antenatal Class today featured a special Latch On education session geared towards highlighting the proper breastfeeding positions and how to achieve a good latch for successful breastfeeding.

The Chair of the Breastfeeding Committee and our Departmental Nurse Manager of our Maternity and Outpatient Clinic, Sis. Ann Marie Browne Isaac, led the informative latch on session. Although, breastfeeding information is always given during our antenatal class, this special latch on session is a part of Breastfeeding Week education.

23/09/2026

SLBMC reaffirms its commitment as a Baby Friendly Hospital to giving each baby the healthiest start ever. During Breastfeeding Week we continue to work on educating, collaborating and reshaping the conversation around breastfeeding and breast feeding support in Antigua and Barbuda.

23/09/2026

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but clear vision is priceless! 👓

Hon. Randy Baltimore, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, and Hon. Kiz Johnson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, are leading by example as they participate in the Prime Minister’s Vision Initiative in Glanvilles.

Both Ministers took part in the vision screening and received their reading glasses, encouraging residents to come out, get screened and take advantage of this valuable initiative.

Your vision matters!

23/09/2026

(Prime Minister’s Vision Initiative Continues in Glanvilles)

The Prime Minister’s Vision Screening Initiative, being conducted by the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment & Civil Service Affairs in collaboration with RestoringVision, is now underway in Glanvilles.

The initiative provides eligible residents aged 40 and over with access to free vision screening and reading glasses, helping to improve access to basic vision care within communities.

The Hon. Randy Baltimore, MP for St. Philip’s North and Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy, and Hon. Kiz Johnson, MP for St. Philip’s South and Minister of State in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, visited the screening site and encouraged residents across their constituencies to come out, get screened and take advantage of this valuable opportunity.

Residents are encouraged to come out, get screened and benefit from free reading glasses where eligible.

23/09/2026

Prime Minister Browne to Highlight Antigua and Barbuda’s Vision-Care Leadership at UNGA81 Development Forum

NEW YORK, USA 23rd September, 2026 — Prime Minister the Right Honourable Gaston Browne will place Antigua and Barbuda’s expanding national eye-health programme before an international audience in New York on Wednesday, as he participates in a special development forum being held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The Prime Minister will participate in “From Evidence to Impact: Making Eye Health a Development Priority,” an Impact Partner Session hosted by Devex in partnership with RestoringVision at the Devex Impact House @ UNGA81.

The discussion will examine how governments can move from recognising the health, social and economic benefits of vision care to establishing policies and programmes that deliver services at scale. Antigua and Barbuda has been identified by the organisers as an emerging national example of political leadership and commitment to expanding access to vision care.

Prime Minister Browne will bring a government perspective to the discussion, focusing on Antigua and Barbuda’s decision to treat vision care not only as a health intervention but as an investment in human capital, productivity and inclusive economic development.

“Good vision has implications far beyond the health sector. It affects a child’s ability to learn, an adult’s ability to work productively and a family’s ability to improve its economic circumstances. We therefore see investment in eye health as an investment in our people and, ultimately, in the economic and social development of Antigua and Barbuda,” Prime Minister Browne stated ahead of the engagement.

The international forum is intended to elevate near-vision care within global development discussions and demonstrate the economic returns that can flow from relatively simple and affordable interventions such as reading glasses.

The event brief notes that more than 826 million people globally live with uncorrected near-vision impairment, with consequences for worker productivity, household income and socio-economic mobility, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Prime Minister Browne is expected to address why Antigua and Barbuda has chosen to prioritise vision care, how political commitment can be translated into practical action across government, and the message the country’s experience offers to other governments ahead of the forthcoming Global Summit for Eye Health.

“The challenge for governments is not simply to acknowledge a problem, but to act upon the evidence. Where an affordable intervention can improve health, enhance productivity and improve quality of life, we have a responsibility to build the partnerships and delivery mechanisms necessary to make that intervention accessible to our people,” Prime Minister Browne said.

The session will also feature H.E. Keisha McGuire, Chief Global Affairs Officer of RestoringVision, with the discussion examining what is being described as “Visionomics” — the relationship between improved access to vision care and gains in productivity, livelihoods and economic opportunity.

The organisers have identified Antigua and Barbuda’s experience as an example through which the international community can examine the political leadership, partnerships and accountability mechanisms necessary to translate evidence into sustained government action.

Prime Minister Browne said the Government intends to continue expanding its partnerships in eye health and sharing the lessons emerging from Antigua and Barbuda’s programme.

“Our objective is straightforward: prevent avoidable loss of sight, restore vision wherever possible and ensure that financial circumstances do not unnecessarily prevent our citizens and residents from receiving essential eye care. At the same time, we want Antigua and Barbuda to demonstrate that small states can develop innovative and scalable approaches from which others can benefit.”

The discussion comes as Antigua and Barbuda continues to expand its national vision-care initiatives through partnerships aimed at screening, access to corrective eyewear, specialised treatment and sight-restoring procedures.
The UNGA engagement will also help build international momentum towards the Global Summit for Eye Health, with the organisers seeking to move the global conversation from commitments towards measurable implementation.

Prime Minister Browne is leading Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation to UNGA81, which includes Foreign Affairs Minister the Honourable E.P. Chet Greene, Health Minister the Honourable Michael Joseph and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Walton Webson.
— ENDS —

Prime Minister Browne to Highlight Antigua and Barbuda’s Vision-Care Leadership at UNGA81 Development Forum

NEW YORK, USA 23rd September, 2026 — Prime Minister the Right Honourable Gaston Browne will place Antigua and Barbuda’s expanding national eye-health programme before an international audience in New York on Wednesday, as he participates in a special development forum being held on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

The Prime Minister will participate in “From Evidence to Impact: Making Eye Health a Development Priority,” an Impact Partner Session hosted by Devex in partnership with RestoringVision at the Devex Impact House @ UNGA81.

The discussion will examine how governments can move from recognising the health, social and economic benefits of vision care to establishing policies and programmes that deliver services at scale. Antigua and Barbuda has been identified by the organisers as an emerging national example of political leadership and commitment to expanding access to vision care.

Prime Minister Browne will bring a government perspective to the discussion, focusing on Antigua and Barbuda’s decision to treat vision care not only as a health intervention but as an investment in human capital, productivity and inclusive economic development.

“Good vision has implications far beyond the health sector. It affects a child’s ability to learn, an adult’s ability to work productively and a family’s ability to improve its economic circumstances. We therefore see investment in eye health as an investment in our people and, ultimately, in the economic and social development of Antigua and Barbuda,” Prime Minister Browne stated ahead of the engagement.
The international forum is intended to elevate near-vision care within global development discussions and demonstrate the economic returns that can flow from relatively simple and affordable interventions such as reading glasses.
The event brief notes that more than 826 million people globally live with uncorrected near-vision impairment, with consequences for worker productivity, household income and socio-economic mobility, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Prime Minister Browne is expected to address why Antigua and Barbuda has chosen to prioritise vision care, how political commitment can be translated into practical action across government, and the message the country’s experience offers to other governments ahead of the forthcoming Global Summit for Eye Health.
“The challenge for governments is not simply to acknowledge a problem, but to act upon the evidence. Where an affordable intervention can improve health, enhance productivity and improve quality of life, we have a responsibility to build the partnerships and delivery mechanisms necessary to make that intervention accessible to our people,” Prime Minister Browne said.
The session will also feature H.E. Keisha McGuire, Chief Global Affairs Officer of RestoringVision, with the discussion examining what is being described as “Visionomics” — the relationship between improved access to vision care and gains in productivity, livelihoods and economic opportunity.
The organisers have identified Antigua and Barbuda’s experience as an example through which the international community can examine the political leadership, partnerships and accountability mechanisms necessary to translate evidence into sustained government action.
Prime Minister Browne said the Government intends to continue expanding its partnerships in eye health and sharing the lessons emerging from Antigua and Barbuda’s programme.
“Our objective is straightforward: prevent avoidable loss of sight, restore vision wherever possible and ensure that financial circumstances do not unnecessarily prevent our citizens and residents from receiving essential eye care. At the same time, we want Antigua and Barbuda to demonstrate that small states can develop innovative and scalable approaches from which others can benefit.”
The discussion comes as Antigua and Barbuda continues to expand its national vision-care initiatives through partnerships aimed at screening, access to corrective eyewear, specialised treatment and sight-restoring procedures.
The UNGA engagement will also help build international momentum towards the Global Summit for Eye Health, with the organisers seeking to move the global conversation from commitments towards measurable implementation.
Prime Minister Browne is leading Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation to UNGA81, which includes Foreign Affairs Minister the Honourable E.P. Chet Greene, Health Minister the Honourable Michael Joseph and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Walton Webson.
— ENDS —