Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, Michael Joseph, has convened a meeting of senior technical officers and heads of departments within his ministry as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration, improve communication, and address key operational challenges across the sector.

The meeting comes just over a month after Minister Joseph assumed office and forms part of a broader initiative to gain a comprehensive understanding of the operations, priorities, and challenges facing the many departments and agencies under his portfolio.

Recognizing the expansive nature of the ministry, the minister brought together representatives from a wide cross-section of health, environmental, and civil service agencies to encourage dialogue and foster a more coordinated approach to service delivery.

Among those attending were Permanent Secretary Stacey Gregg-Paige, senior officials from the ministry’s headquarters, and representatives from the Central Board of Health, AIDS Secretariat, Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Medical Services (ABEMS), National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Fiennes Institute, CARE Project, Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS), Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC), the Department of Environment, Civil Service Affairs Department, and several other key units.

The session provided an opportunity for departments to discuss their achievements, priorities, and operational challenges while gaining a better understanding of the work being undertaken across the wider ministry.

Addressing participants, Minister Joseph emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of service and encouraged all departments to remain committed to delivering quality care and support to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.

He also underscored the need for stronger collaboration among agencies, noting that although each department has its own mandate, they are all interconnected and contribute to the ministry’s overall mission.

“Many of the challenges we face do not exist in isolation,” Minister Joseph said. “As a Ministry, we must work more closely together, communicate more effectively, and support one another in order to deliver the highest standard of service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.”

The minister further indicated that his engagement efforts will extend beyond management teams to include staff at all levels throughout the ministry’s departments and agencies.

He noted that frontline employees often possess valuable insights that can help improve operations and service delivery and stressed the importance of creating opportunities for open and constructive dialogue.

Minister Joseph reaffirmed his commitment to collaboration, listening, and continuous improvement as he works with stakeholders across the ministry to strengthen operations and enhance services for the benefit of the nation.