The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has given its approval for the establishment of diploma and graduate-level public health programmes at the Antigua and Barbuda College of Advanced Studies (ABCAS), a move described as critical to addressing the nation’s growing public health needs.

The Honourable Minister of Health, Wellness, the Environment and Civil Service Affairs presented the recommendations, highlighting the urgent demand for specialized training in public health. He noted that the programmes will make accredited education more accessible and affordable locally, while reducing reliance on costly overseas institutions.

Importantly, the curriculum will be designed to reflect Antigua and Barbuda’s unique public health priorities, including epidemiology, waste management, occupational health, and health systems management.

Public health, the Minister emphasized, is a cornerstone of national development and is vital for maintaining a healthy population and a resilient society. The need for such training has become more pressing in the face of challenges such as infectious diseases, occupational and environmental health issues, and epidemic preparedness.

At present, the Central Board of Health (CBH) operates with only six trained public health officers, three of whom are expected to retire within the next two years.

This represents a severe shortfall when measured against the thirty-five inspectors required to adequately serve the country. The shortage has already had significant consequences for disease surveillance, food safety, health education, inspections, and disaster response.

Currently, access to accredited public health training within the region is limited to institutions such as the University of Technology in Jamaica and the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago, both of which present financial and logistical barriers for Antiguan and Barbudan students.

With ABCAS now poised to introduce these programmes, Antigua and Barbuda will be able to build a sustainable pipeline of qualified professionals to meet its long-term health objectives.

As part of the Cabinet’s decision, several measures were approved to strengthen the sector. Public health programmes at ABCAS and other regional institutions will be designated as national priority programmes under the Prime Minister’s and the Board of Education’s scholarship schemes. The training and development budget of the CBH will be increased to support staff training and programme implementation.

A new Diploma in Public Health will also be developed at ABCAS to specifically train all District Medical Officers.

In addition, the government will employ trained environmental health professionals on a contractual basis to manage public health conditions, while also creating internship opportunities for young Antiguans and Barbudans pursuing studies in Environmental Health, Environmental Engineering, and related disciplines.

The approval marks a significant step forward for the country’s health sector, promising to not only address immediate staffing shortages but also to ensure long-term resilience by preparing a new generation of trained public health professionals.