The Cabinet has okayed a proposal from Health Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph for the establishment and support of diploma and graduate public health programmes at the recently established Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS).
According to Cabinet spokesman, Maurice Merchant the programmes will seek to provide a cadre of locally-trained individuals to meet the growing need to demands for these sckills within the health sector.
He said these programmes would:
1. Provide accessible and affordable accredited training locally.
2. Reduce dependence on external institutions and high tuition costs abroad.
3. Allow for curriculum tailored to Antigua and Barbuda’s specific public health priorities, including epidemiology, waste management, occupational health, and health systems management.
4. Create a steady pipeline of qualified professionals to strengthen the national health system and improve preparedness for evolving health challenges
Merchant noted that public health is a cornerstone of national development, serving as the foundation for a healthy population and a resilient society. “The need for specialized public health training in Antigua and Barbuda is urgent and growing as national health challenges—ranging from infectious disease management, occupational and environmental health, to epidemic preparedness—demand a well-trained and adequately staffed public health workforce,” he outlined.
According to the official the Central Board of Health (CBH) currently operates with only six (6) trained public health officers, three of whom are due to retire within the next two years. This represents a severe shortage compared to the thirty-five (35) inspectors required to meet the country’s needs. This deficit directly impacts disease surveillance, health education, food safety, inspections, and national disaster responses.
“Access to accredited public health training within the region is limited to the University of Technology (UTech) in Jamaica and the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), both of which pose financial and logistical barriers for Antiguan and Barbudan students,” he explained.
It is felt that the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS) is well-positioned to fill this gap by developing and delivering accredited diploma and graduate-level public health programmes. Such programmes would address the workforce shortage while creating a sustainable pipeline of public health professionals to meet the nation’s long-term health objectives.
The Honourable Minister recommended Cabinet’s approval of the following:
1. Designation of public health programmes offered by ABCAS and other regional institutions as national priority programmes under the Prime Minister’s and the Board of Education’s scholarship schemes.
2. Approval of an increase to the training and development budget of the Central Board of Health to support training, staff development, and the implementation of public health programmes at ABCAS.
3. Development of a Diploma in Public Health at ABCAS specifically geared towards the training of all District Medical Officers within the Ministry of Health, Wellness, the Environment and Civil Service Affairs.
4. Contractual employment of trained environmental health professionals to assist in the management of public health conditions in Antigua and Barbuda, while simultaneously providing internship opportunities for young Antiguans and Barbudans pursuing Environmental Health, Environmental Engineering, and related specialist disciplines.
Cabinet considered the recommendations and approved the establishment and support of diploma and graduate public health programmes at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS), including the additional measures outlined.
