AGP Executive Report

Water Security: A fresh look at whether desalination can realistically solve Grenada’s water problems, as CARICOM countries face worsening drought pressure and groundwater strain. Health & Prevention: Grenada’s suicide crisis remains in focus, with 10 cases recorded as of Aug. 31, prompting renewed calls for stronger mental health support. Men’s Health: The Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) is offering free PSA screening for 100 men aged 40+ across September, with pre-registration required. Preparedness: Grenada strengthens its National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan after a PAHO/WHO-supported validation workshop. Health Workforce & Training: PAHO and UWI’s Health Policy and Health Systems postgraduate programme is graduating its third cohort, including professionals from Grenada. Access to Care: St. George’s University expands medical pathways via academic affiliations, including a new link with American University of Nigeria and separate UAE student pathways through Taaleem. Community Safety: Police investigate a knife-point robbery at a pharmacy, while broader public safety concerns continue to ripple through communities.

Suicide Prevention in Grenada: Grenada recorded 10 suicide cases as of August 31, as the country marks World Suicide Prevention Day and mental health professionals renew calls to address risk factors and strengthen support. Men’s Health Screening: The Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) is offering free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening for 100 men aged 40+ across Grenada during September, with pre-registration required. Pandemic Preparedness: Grenada strengthened its National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan after a national validation workshop with PAHO/WHO, updating governance, staffing, surveillance, and clinical response. Health Workforce Leadership: PAHO and the University of the West Indies celebrated the graduation of the third cohort of a Health Policy and Health Systems programme, training professionals from across the Caribbean, including Grenada. VAT-Free Dates: Grenada’s VAT-Free Shopping Days under the Cost of Living Assistance Programme 2026 have been moved to 2–3 October 2026. Local Health Pathways: St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada signed academic affiliations to support aspiring medical students, including structured pathways for eligible students.

VAT-Free Update: Grenada’s Ministry of Finance has rescheduled the Cost of Living Assistance Programme 2026 VAT-Free Shopping Days to 2–3 October 2026. The release also reiterates key essentials already at 0% VAT, including medicines for chronic diseases and agricultural inputs. Men’s Health: The Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) is offering a free PSA screening programme for 100 men aged 40+ across September, with pre-registration required at Allied Medical Laboratory clinics. Health Leadership Training: PAHO and The University of the West Indies (UWI) marked the graduation of the third cohort of a regional Health Policy and Health Systems postgraduate programme, training professionals from across the Caribbean, including Grenada. Pandemic Preparedness: Grenada strengthened its National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan after a national validation workshop supported by PAHO/WHO and the Pandemic Fund Project for Eastern Caribbean Countries. Disability Rights: A major case on ending institutionalization of persons with disabilities is set for oral arguments at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, involving alleged abuses at Guatemala’s Federico Mora Hospital.

Men’s Health Screening: The Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) is offering free PSA tests for 100 men aged 40+ across September, with pre-registration required at Allied Medical Laboratory clinics. Pandemic Preparedness: Grenada strengthened its National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan after a PAHO/WHO-supported validation workshop, updating governance, staffing, surveillance, and clinical response using a One Health approach. Medical Pathways for Students: St. George’s University (SGU) signed new academic affiliations—first with American University of Nigeria and also with Taaleem in the UAE—to create structured routes into SGU’s medicine programmes. Community Health & Inclusion: A major disability rights case is set for oral arguments at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, challenging decades of involuntary confinement and abuse in a public psychiatric facility. Sports & Youth Development: The Grenada Football Association launched a grassroots primary school campaign to bring football into schools and build a steady pathway from early play to club and national youth levels.

Men’s Health: Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) is offering free prostate PSA screening for 100 men aged 40+ across September, via Allied Medical Laboratory clinics, with pre-registration required. Pandemic Readiness: Grenada strengthened its National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan after a PAHO/WHO-supported national validation workshop, updating governance, staffing, surveillance, clinical care, and risk communication. Disability Rights: A major Inter-American Court of Human Rights case in Guatemala challenges decades of forced institutionalization of people with disabilities, arguing for community-based support instead of confinement. Education Pathways to Medicine: St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada signed new academic pathways with Taaleem in the UAE, offering admissions routes, guidance, and possible study options through SGU and partner universities. Local Sports & Youth: The Grenada Football Association launched a grassroots primary school campaign, bringing football into schools and linking summer participation to weekly programmes and club pathways. Health Research: A review reports ME/CFS patients have much higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pointing to shared gut-brain links and supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS.

Prostate Health Access: Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association (GHTA) is offering free PSA screening for 100 men aged 40+ across September at Allied Medical Laboratory clinics, with pre-registration required. Pandemic Preparedness: Grenada strengthened its National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan after a 2½-day validation workshop with PAHO/WHO, updating legal, staffing, and response details. Women’s Health Outreach: A new Women’s Health Van in the Greater Toronto Area will bring health products, education, and support directly to underserved communities, aiming to reduce barriers like transport, childcare, stigma, and language. Health Under Pressure: Cuba’s health system is described as struggling under ongoing US blockade impacts, including hospital blackouts affecting newborn care and surgeries. Local Health Research: A study linked ME/CFS with much higher rates of irritable bowel syndrome, suggesting shared gut-brain mechanisms and supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS patients. Education-to-Medicine Pathways: St. George’s University (SGU) in Grenada signed a new medical pathway agreement with Taaleem in the UAE to support eligible students into SGU’s MD tracks. Cost of Living & Health: An op-ed highlights how “paying twice” for essentials like water, power, healthcare, and security can worsen stress and health outcomes. Health Workforce & Community: Grenada’s Ministry of Education relocated key in-person services to the Ministerial Complex while keeping remote support available. Health & Safety in Sports: A Grenada-linked amateur boxing club story spotlights beginner-friendly training in a safer, structured environment.

Climate & Health Funding: The CABRIC Programme is opening grant applications for locally led climate resilience projects across the Caribbean, with about US$25 million total and roughly US$5 million earmarked for Grenada—supporting work like climate-resilient agriculture, fisheries, coastal nature solutions, and early warning systems tied to emergency health risk management. Pandemic Preparedness: Grenada has completed a national validation workshop to update its National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan, strengthening governance, surveillance, community protection, clinical management, infection prevention, and coordination under a One Health approach. Women’s Health Access: A new Women’s Health Van initiative in the Greater Toronto Area will bring health products, education, and support directly into underserved communities, aiming to reduce barriers like transport, childcare, stigma, and language. Local Health Research: A review on ME/CFS reports patients have much higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome, supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS care. Health Workforce Pathways: St. George’s University and Taaleem have launched medical pathways for UAE students, including admissions routes, guidance, and scholarship opportunities. Education Services: Grenada’s Ministry of Education has relocated several in-person services to the nearby Ministerial Complex while keeping remote options available.

Grenada Pandemic Readiness: Grenada strengthened its National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan after a 2½-day national validation workshop with PAHO/WHO, updating laws, staffing roles, surveillance, risk communication, clinical management, and infection prevention using a One Health approach. Medical Education Pathways: St. George’s University (SGU) signed an MoU with UAE K-12 provider Taaleem to create admissions pathways, guidance, and scholarship opportunities for students aiming for SGU’s Doctor of Medicine, with study options in Grenada or the UK. Gut-Brain Health in Chronic Illness: A new review reports ME/CFS patients have much higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pointing to shared gut–brain mechanisms and supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS care. Local Health Workforce Pressure: A Grenada pharmacist’s viral account highlights the strain on rural pharmacies, tied to how prescription reimbursement works through pharmacy benefit managers. Education Services Update: Grenada’s Ministry of Education relocated several in-person services to the nearby Ministerial Complex (8am–4pm, weekdays), while other units remain available by phone and email. Community Wellness Through Sport: The Bulldog Amateur Boxing Club welcomed beginners with structured, safe training focused on fundamentals like footwork and handwork.

Pandemic Preparedness: Grenada strengthened its National Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan after a two-and-a-half-day national validation workshop with PAHO/WHO, updating governance, staffing, surveillance, clinical care, infection control, risk communication, and One Health coordination. Health Research: A new review finds people with ME/CFS have much higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pointing to shared gut–brain links and supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS care. Access to Care: St George’s University (SGU) in Grenada signed an academic pathway agreement with Hilton College (South Africa), creating a route into medicine for students facing local medical school bottlenecks. Local Health Workforce Pressure: A People magazine feature spotlights rural Grenada pharmacists’ struggle with reimbursement rates, raising pressure on pharmacy benefit managers and the sustainability of community pharmacies. Education Services: Grenada’s Ministry of Education relocated several in-person services to the nearby Ministerial Complex while keeping daily hours and remote support options. Public Health & Safety: World Sexual Health Day (4 September) is marked as attention turns to adolescent and reproductive health access debates. Community Health Reminder: A Grenada clean-ocean project seeks a communications and stakeholder engagement consultant to boost waste management and public awareness.

Grenada Clean & Healthy Ocean Project: Nature Conservancy is calling for proposals for a Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Consultant to boost public awareness and improve waste management under its 5-year clean ocean project in Grenada (RFP due 8 Sept 2026). Rural pharmacy squeeze: A Grenada pharmacist’s viral account highlights how reimbursement through pharmacy benefit managers can leave independent pharmacies “two weeks to two weeks” financially, even when they’re doing everything right. Gut-brain links in chronic illness: A Grenada-linked study review reports ME/CFS patients have much higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome, pointing to shared gut–brain mechanisms and supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS care. Education services move: Grenada’s Ministry of Education has relocated several in-person services to the nearby Ministerial Complex (8am–4pm weekdays), while other units remain available by phone and email. Health leadership updates regionally: St Kitts and Nevis PM Terrance Drew is undergoing scheduled diagnostic tests overseas after hospital admission, with care coordinated through the Joseph N. France General Hospital. Health workforce pathway: Hilton College (South Africa) and St George’s University (Grenada) have agreed on an international medical school route for students facing local medical training bottlenecks.

ME/CFS & Gut Health: A new systematic review in Frontiers in Medicine finds people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome have much higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome, with IBS symptoms often linking to fatigue and “unrefreshing” sleep—supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS care. Local Health Services: Grenada’s Ministry of Education says several in-person services (including examinations, student support, HRD scholarships, and finance) have been temporarily relocated to the nearby Ministerial Complex, with daily access 8am–4pm, Mon–Fri. Access to Medicines: A Grenadian pharmacist’s viral account highlights the strain on rural pharmacies as reimbursement debates continue, with drug bills piling up faster than payments. Health & Safety Abroad: UK police have launched an investigation into the death of a British man in Grenada after local authorities ruled it accidental, while family-commissioned forensic work reportedly points to homicide. Community Health Systems: UMMC has taken over Greenwood Leflore Hospital in Mississippi, aiming to expand specialized services and keep care closer to home.

Health Access & Care: St George’s University (SGU) in Grenada is expanding medical training pathways via a new affiliation with Hilton College in South Africa, aiming to ease the local bottleneck for aspiring doctors. Chronic Illness & Gut Health: A review in Frontiers in Medicine reports ME/CFS patients have much higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome, pointing to shared gut–brain links and supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS care. Mental Wellness & Daily Stress: A Grenada-based health column breaks down why stress isn’t one-size-fits-all, and how chronic pressure can wear down the body and mind. Local Health Services: The Ministry of Education says several in-person services have moved to the nearby Ministerial Complex (8am–4pm, Mon–Fri), with other units still available by phone and email. Medication Affordability: A Grenada pharmacist’s viral account highlights pressure from prescription reimbursement rules, with rural pharmacies struggling to cover drug bills. Public Health & Climate: Caribbean health experts warn of a potential severe drought and heat crisis into 2027, stressing risks to water, farming, and public health. Safety & Mobility: Studies suggest electric bike injuries look more like cycling than motorcycle incidents, which may help shape rider expectations and safety messaging.

Military & Security: A new US-led “Americas Counter-Cartel Coalition” is ramping up strikes and cooperation with Latin American militaries, raising fears that militarisation could worsen violence and destabilise democracy. Sexual & Reproductive Health: A debate is reigniting around Grenada’s proposed move to lower the age for lawful access to reproductive healthcare without parental consent, with critics warning it could leave teens without practical support. Gut Health & Chronic Illness: A review links ME/CFS with much higher rates of irritable bowel syndrome, suggesting shared gut–brain mechanisms and supporting routine IBS screening for patients. Local Health Services: Grenada’s Ministry of Education has relocated in-person services to the nearby Ministerial Complex, keeping key units open daily while other services remain by phone and email. Care Access & Workforce: St George’s University’s medical pathway expands via a partnership with Hilton College, aiming to ease South Africa’s medical school bottleneck. Public Health & Climate: Caribbean leaders are urged to prepare for a severe drought and heat stretch into 2027, with water, farming and public health at growing risk. Health System Updates: UMMC has taken over Greenwood Leflore Hospital in Mississippi to strengthen local access to care and specialised services. Health & Safety Research: Studies suggest electric bike injuries look more like cycling injuries than motorcycle incidents, which may help guide safer riding and expectations.

IBS–ME/CFS Link: A new review finds people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome face much higher odds of irritable bowel syndrome, with gut–brain symptoms often overlapping—supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS care. Education Access: Grenada’s Ministry of Education says several in-person services have moved from the Sir Eric Gairy Botanical Gardens compound to the nearby Ministerial Complex (8am–4pm, Mon–Fri), while other units stay available by phone and email. Pharmacy Affordability: A Grenadian pharmacist’s viral account highlights how reimbursement pressures can force rural pharmacies into a “two weeks to two weeks” cash-flow struggle, reigniting calls for pharmacy benefit manager reform. Climate & Health Risk: Caribbean health and water security face mounting pressure as El Niño strengthens, with warnings of drought and hotter, drier conditions stretching into 2027. Local Health System Moves: UMMC takes over Greenwood Leflore Hospital in Mississippi, aiming to keep essential services close to home and expand access to specialized care.

TB Control & Law Gaps: Grenada’s health debate heats up after two TB patients escaped from the General Hospital, raising public panic and renewed calls for stronger legislation to prevent communicable-disease runaways. Education Access: The Ministry of Education moved several in-person services (exams, admin, student support, HRD scholarships, finance) to the nearby Ministerial Complex, keeping daily hours 8am–4pm and continuing remote support by phone/email. Gut Health in Chronic Illness: A new review links ME/CFS with much higher rates of irritable bowel syndrome, pointing to shared gut–brain mechanisms and supporting routine IBS screening for ME/CFS patients. Pharmacy Affordability Pressure: A Grenadian pharmacist’s viral account spotlights how reimbursement rules can leave rural pharmacies struggling to cover drug bills, fueling calls for PBM reform. Regional Health Workforce Pathway: St George’s University in Grenada is expanding an international route for South African students via Hilton College, aiming to ease medical school bottlenecks. Climate & Health Risk: Caribbean leaders warn that El Niño-driven drought and heat could intensify into 2027, putting water, agriculture, and public health under strain. Marina Detention Dispute: Tyrell Bay Marina clients say a fence at Corion Estate has blocked vessel access for months, leaving them unable to relaunch and effectively “imprisoned” on Carriacou.

UK–Grenada Justice: British national Andrew Donald Frederick’s death in Grenada is now under Metropolitan Police investigation after UK authorities moved from an “accidental” ruling to a homicide claim following forensic findings. Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy: A renewed debate in Grenada follows the earlier proposal to lower the age for lawful access to reproductive healthcare without parental consent—critics say the current rules leave teens without timely contraception. Gut–Brain Health: A new review links ME/CFS with much higher rates of irritable bowel syndrome, pointing to shared gut–brain mechanisms and supporting routine IBS screening in ME/CFS patients. TB Control & Public Safety: Grenada’s health system faces fresh pressure after two TB patients escaped treatment at the General Hospital, reigniting calls for stronger laws to manage communicable-disease risk. Local Health Access: The Ministry of Education has relocated several in-person services to the nearby Ministerial Complex, including exams, student support, HR/scholarships, and finance. Pharmacy Affordability: A Grenadian pharmacist’s viral account highlights how reimbursement pressures can force rural pharmacies to operate “two weeks to two weeks” despite doing the work. Climate & Public Health: Caribbean leaders are warning of worsening drought and heat into 2027, with knock-on effects for water supplies, farming, and health.