The Central Board of Health (CBH) is facing a major shortage of trained and certified officers, leaving just six staff members to carry out duties that normally require at least 35.
Director of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maurice Merchant, said the small team has been “doing miraculous work” despite limited resources.
CBH officers are responsible for food safety, sanitation, vector control, and disease surveillance across Antigua and Barbuda. However, many trainees remain uncertified, preventing them from taking on full responsibilities.
To address the gap, the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) will soon begin training and certification programmes to bring officers up to regional and international standards.
Officials say the move will help strengthen the CBH’s capacity to maintain sanitation and disease control nationwide — a priority as the government continues to modernise public health systems.
