Antigua and Barbuda is strengthening health surveillance, inspecting accommodation and food providers, and training medical personnel to support the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting while maintaining care for residents, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kamaria De Castro said.
Antigua Barbuda Expands Health
Speaking at Wednesday’s public town hall, De Castro outlined coordinated arrangements involving public and private healthcare providers, emergency medical services and regional health agencies.
Medical coverage will be provided at forum and event venues, while emergency medical services will support the transfer of delegates and other participants alongside their responsibilities to the wider population.
De Castro said environmental health and vector control officers had conducted inspections of accommodation, contracted catering companies and food vendors in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.
Food safety and vector surveillance will continue before, during and after the summit.
The Caribbean Public Health Agency will support the continued use of a mass gathering surveillance system introduced in Antigua and Barbuda during the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.
De Castro said the system would support monitoring as events involving residents and visitors take place at multiple locations.
The National Office of Disaster Services has also partnered with health authorities to provide mass casualty management training for staff from community clinics and the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.
Additional support includes collaboration with the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force to supplement health personnel, and training through the Pan American Health Organization.
Delegation liaison officers have received health protocol training to help them explain available facilities, medical services and referral arrangements to visiting delegations.
“Public health preparedness is a shared responsibility of us all,” De Castro said.
Antigua and Barbuda will host CHOGM from November 1 to 4, with government meetings, four forums and cultural activities forming part of the programme.
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