AGP Executive Report

Regional Health Priorities: OECS Director General Didacus Jules says Caribbean countries should set their own health agenda, rather than follow short-term donor projects that can leave services without trained staff, maintained equipment or lasting support. Ghana-Grenada Partnership: Grenada’s 60 healthcare professionals from Ghana are expected to serve for two years. A commentary on South-South cooperation says the partnership can also help Grenada learn from Ghana’s community-based primary care model. Health Accountability: As Grenada’s party leaders debate today, healthcare is among the key topics. A physician argues campaign pledges should include measurable targets, timelines, costs and responsible agencies. Mental Health: Grenada is advancing WHO QualityRights training to support more person-centred, recovery-focused care that respects the rights and dignity of people with mental health conditions. Breast Cancer: St. George’s University is calling for breast screening decisions in Africa to reflect individual risk, symptoms and access to diagnostic services—not age alone.

Healthcare on the campaign trail: Grenada’s three party leaders are set to debate healthcare and education on October 28, ahead of the November 5 election. Health workforce: Sixty Ghanaian healthcare professionals, including nurses and doctors, have arrived in Grenada for an expected two-year assignment to support local services. Mental health care: Grenada is advancing WHO QualityRights training, promoting person-centred, recovery-focused services that respect patients’ rights and dignity. Specialist treatment: A six-year-old Grenadian boy returned to Florida for follow-up surgery to improve the use of his right arm and hand.

Election and Healthcare: Grenada’s three main party leaders will debate on October 28, with healthcare among the issues ahead of the November 5 election. Health Workforce: Sixty Ghanaian healthcare professionals, including nurses and doctors, have arrived for an expected two-year assignment to support Grenada’s health services. Breast Cancer: St. George’s University is urging risk-informed screening in Africa, with screening and referrals guided by factors such as family history and inherited risk—not age alone. Mental Health: Grenada is advancing a rights-based approach through WHO QualityRights training, aimed at making care more person-centred and protecting the dignity and autonomy of people living with mental health conditions.

Breast Cancer: St. George’s University is urging risk-informed screening and better access to diagnosis and specialist care, noting that breast cancer affects women under 40 as well as older patients. Health Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 60 healthcare professionals from Ghana, including nurses and doctors, for an expected two-year assignment to support local services. Mental Health: Grenada is advancing a rights-based approach to care through WHO QualityRights training, with a focus on dignity, autonomy and community-based support. Specialist Care: A six-year-old Grenadian boy has returned to Florida for follow-up surgery to improve the function of his right arm and hand.

Breast Cancer: St. George’s University is urging risk-based screening in Africa, noting that 21.9% of patients in a five-country study were diagnosed before age 40. It says screening should account for personal risk and be backed by better access to diagnosis and specialist care. Health Workforce: Grenada has welcomed its first cohort of Ghanaian healthcare professionals, including nurses, laboratory and ultrasound technicians, and a surgeon, to help ease staffing shortages and strengthen services across the tri-island state. Mental Health: Grenada is advancing a rights-based approach to care through the WHO QualityRights initiative, with training for health workers and a focus on dignity, autonomy, recovery and community-based support.

Death Investigation: A charity is urging UK officials to help unblock the investigation into Andrew Frederick’s death in Grenada, nearly 10 months after a pathologist ruled it a homicide. Grenadian police closed the case, saying there was no basis to conclude a homicide occurred. Breast Cancer: St. George’s University is calling for screening decisions in Africa to reflect individual risk, not age alone. A study found 21.9% of diagnosed patients across five African countries were under 40; the university also stressed better access to imaging and specialist care. Health Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 60 healthcare professionals from Ghana for an expected two-year placement to support hospitals and community services. Mental Health: Grenada is advancing WHO QualityRights training to promote person-centred care, dignity and the rights of people living with mental health conditions. Surgical Care: A Grenadian boy returned to Florida for follow-up surgery to improve the function of his right arm and hand.

Breast Cancer: St. George’s University is urging risk-based screening in Africa, where 21.9% of women in a five-country study were diagnosed before age 40. It says screening should reflect personal risk, not age alone, and calls for better access to examinations, imaging and specialist care. Healthcare Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 60 healthcare professionals from Ghana, including nurses, doctors and other specialists, to support services across hospitals, communities and mental health facilities. They are expected to serve for two years. Mental Health: Grenada is advancing a rights-based approach through WHO QualityRights training, promoting person-centred care, recovery and respect for the autonomy of people living with mental health conditions.

Healthcare Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 60 healthcare professionals from Ghana for an expected two-year assignment. Nurses, doctors and allied staff will support hospitals, community services and mental health care, helping ease staffing shortages. Breast Cancer: St. George’s University is urging risk-informed, equitable screening across Africa. A study found 21.9% of breast cancer patients in five sub-Saharan countries were diagnosed before age 40, highlighting the need for early assessment and better access to diagnostic services. Mental Health: Grenada is advancing WHO’s QualityRights initiative through training for health workers and stakeholders, with a focus on dignity, autonomy, recovery and community-based care. Surgical Care: Six-year-old Grenadian Nassir Andrew has received a follow-up operation in Florida to further improve the function and independence of his right arm and hand.

Breast Cancer: St. George’s University is urging risk-informed, equitable screening in Africa. A study across five sub-Saharan countries found 21.9% of women diagnosed with breast cancer were under 40, highlighting the need for prompt assessment of symptoms and better access to diagnosis. Mental Health: Grenada is advancing WHO QualityRights training to support person-centred, recovery-focused care that respects the rights and dignity of people with mental health conditions. Health Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 57 Ghanaian health professionals, including nurses, laboratory and ultrasound technicians, and a surgeon. They are expected to strengthen services across hospitals, communities and mental health facilities.

Breast Cancer: St. George’s University is urging risk-informed screening and better access to breast examinations, imaging and specialist care. A study across five African countries found 21.9% of women diagnosed with breast cancer were under 40, highlighting the limits of relying on age alone. Health Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 57 healthcare professionals from Ghana, including 52 nurses, a surgeon, laboratory technologists and ultrasound technicians. They will be assigned to hospitals, community services and mental health facilities to help ease staffing shortages. Specialist Care: A Grenadian boy has returned to Florida for follow-up surgery to improve the function and independence of his right arm and hand, three years after his first operation.

Breast Cancer: St. George’s University researchers are urging risk-informed screening in Africa after a study found 21.9% of breast cancer patients across five countries were under 40. A separate review found only 13% of women had ever received a clinical breast exam, underscoring gaps in early diagnosis and specialist care. Surgical Care: Grenadian six-year-old Nassir Andrew returned to Florida for follow-up surgery to improve the use of his right arm and hand, three years after his first procedure through Hands of Hope Medical Mission. Health Workforce: Ghanaian nurses and other healthcare professionals have arrived in Grenada under a health cooperation programme. They are expected to ease staffing shortages and strengthen services across hospitals, community care and mental health facilities.

Health Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 57 healthcare professionals from Ghana, including 52 nurses, a surgeon, laboratory technologists and ultrasound technicians. They are expected to serve hospitals, community clinics and mental health facilities, easing staffing shortages across the tri-island state. Breast Cancer Awareness: St. George’s University is urging risk-informed screening rather than relying on age alone. A study across five African countries found 21.9% of diagnosed patients were under 40, highlighting the need for breast awareness and timely assessment. Regional Health Funding: A U.S. Caribbean funding package includes plans for a US$61.5 million regional healthcare initiative, alongside broader investments in infrastructure and security.

Health Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 57 Ghanaian health professionals, including 52 nurses, a surgeon, laboratory technologists and ultrasound technicians. They will serve hospitals, community health services and mental health facilities, helping ease staffing shortages across the tri-island state. Breast Cancer Awareness: St. George’s University is urging risk-informed screening, noting that a study across five African countries found 21.9% of diagnosed patients were under 40. SGU says age alone should not determine screening needs and encourages prompt assessment of concerning symptoms. Regional Health Funding: The United States announced a proposed US$61.5 million for a Caribbean health initiative, subject to congressional approval, as part of a broader regional investment package that includes Grenada.

Cancer Awareness: St. George’s University is urging risk-based breast cancer screening, noting that 21.9% of women diagnosed in a study across five African countries were under 40. The university says age alone should not guide screening and stresses access to early assessment and diagnosis. Health Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 61 nurses from Ghana, recruited under a health cooperation agreement to help address staffing needs. Mental Health: Grenada has strengthened primary health care capacity to respond to mental health needs. Water Security: Caribbean ministers adopted the Water Declaration of Grand Anse in Grenada, pledging action on water security and wastewater management—priorities linked to public health and climate resilience. Regional Health Funding: The United States announced a planned US$61.5 million for a Caribbean health initiative, subject to congressional approval.

Regional Health Funding: The United States announced a Caribbean investment package of more than US$340 million, including US$61.5 million intended for a regional healthcare initiative, subject to congressional approval. Climate and Water: A new El Niño warning highlights Grenada’s experience with severe drought and water restrictions in 2024. Caribbean ministers, meeting in Grand Anse, have also pledged action on water security and wastewater management, citing their importance to public health. Health Workforce: Sixty-one Ghanaian health workers have arrived in Grenada on renewable two-year contracts, as Caribbean countries seek staff amid nursing shortages. Mental Health Care: Twenty-three Grenadian health professionals received training to identify and respond to mental health needs in primary care, including depression, psychosis and suicide prevention.

Regional Health Funding: A new US$340-million US-Caribbean investment package includes a proposed US$61.5-million initiative to strengthen regional health care, subject to congressional approval. Health Workforce: Grenada has received 61 Ghanaian health workers on renewable two-year contracts. Their arrival may help address service gaps, while careful planning is needed to avoid leaving other medical centres short-staffed. Mental Health: Twenty-three Grenadian health professionals have completed training to identify and respond to mental health needs in primary care, including depression, psychosis and suicide prevention. Water Security: Caribbean ministers meeting in Grand Anse adopted a declaration to improve water security and wastewater management, recognizing reliable water as essential to public health and climate resilience.