Antigua is gearing up to host the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States SIDS4, which is expected to draw thousands of delegates from across the globe.

As part of the preparations for the conference, a team from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has arrived on the island to support efforts related to health and safety.

The team, led by Luis de la Fuente and Andres Sanz, is working to ensure a seamless deployment and mobilization of all phases of preparation for a National Emergency Medical Team (N-EMT).

This team is an initiative introduced by the World Health Organization and piloted by PAHO in the Western Hemisphere.

Given the anticipated influx of conference attendees, health officials believe that this is the perfect opportunity to put the resources of the N-EMT to good use by deploying a Medical Post at the conference venue, the American University of Antigua (AUA).

With the help of this dedicated team, conference organizers hope to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees throughout the duration of the event.

The SIDS4 Local Organising Committee has allocated a designated area on the AUA campus for the Medical Post during the upcoming conference.

The preparations are in full swing to ensure that the requirements for a conference of this magnitude are met.

PAHO is committed to providing technical support for this pivotal endeavor by ensuring that an emergency medical response system is fully available to all those who may require its services during the SIDS Conference, the Cricket World Cup matches, and beyond.

To achieve this, PAHO is facilitating a technical workshop throughout the week, aiming to enable Antigua and Barbuda to deploy its Type 1 EMT efficiently and safely during the SIDS4 Conference.

The one-week session will also aim to gather input for the self-sustainable development of a fixed Type 1 EMT for health contingencies in Antigua and Barbuda.