AGP Executive Report

Cancer Care: A patient’s experience of long waits for scans and surgery, unavailable treatment and out-of-pocket medicine raises fresh concerns about access to timely breast cancer care. Tobago Health Funding: Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo acknowledged an error in the Tobago Regional Health Authority’s sharply reduced 2027 allocation and said funding would be sufficient for operations. Medicine Supply: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says 49 of 52 Chronic Disease Assistance Programme medicines are available, with shortages and procurement issues being addressed; he also highlighted prevention as NCDs account for 62% of annual deaths. Health System Oversight: The South West Regional Health Authority board has been dissolved after a wave of resignations, raising questions about its ability to carry out its duties. Active Living: BAFA Foundation and Emergency 24 have partnered to improve security at sporting events, helping participants feel safer on and off the course.

Tobago Health Funding: Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo admitted a budgeting error left the Tobago Regional Health Authority with a 2027 allocation of $239.7 million—more than 68% below last year’s funding. He said the authority would receive enough to operate. Cancer Care: A doctor’s account of a patient’s struggle to obtain surgery, scans and medicines highlights the human cost of long waits and gaps in treatment. Health System Governance: The South-West Regional Health Authority board has been dissolved after a wave of resignations, raising concerns about oversight and its ability to function. Medicine and Prevention: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says 49 of 52 CDAP medicines are available, with alternatives for shortages. He also pledged action on supply problems and stronger prevention of non-communicable diseases, which account for 62% of annual deaths in T&T.

Tobago Health Funding: The Tobago Regional Health Authority’s 2027 allocation is set to fall by more than 68%, prompting warnings that already strained hospital, surgery and ambulance services could suffer further. SWRHA Turmoil: More board members have resigned, dissolving the South-West Regional Health Authority board; a former director says its reduced membership may leave its decisions open to challenge. Separately, 42 workers have been terminated despite a halt to planned retrenchments affecting 124 staff. Medicine Access: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says 49 of 52 Chronic Disease Assistance Programme medicines are available and procurement issues are being addressed. He says the $7.4-billion health budget will also target non-communicable disease prevention, cancer screening and mental health; NCDs account for 62% of annual deaths. Carnival Wellbeing: With Tobago expecting about 60,000 revellers, health officials are urging people to protect their sleep and mood, manage burnout and look for safe spaces during the festivities.

Medicine Access: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says 49 of 52 Chronic Disease Assistance Programme drug items are available, with procurement and supply issues being addressed. The programme serves nearly 300,000 people through 89 pharmacies; alternatives are available for some shortages. SWRHA Concerns: The authority’s board has fallen to five members after four resignations. Former director Anand Chatoorgoon questions whether it can operate lawfully, noting the law calls for at least seven members. Separately, the union says 42 of 124 workers targeted for retrenchment have been terminated. Health Spending: The Government’s $7.4 billion health allocation aims to address medicine shortages and strengthen NCD prevention. Bodoe says NCDs account for 62% of annual deaths. Carnival Wellbeing: Tobago Carnival health workers are urging revellers to manage sleep, mood and burnout, and calling for safe spaces at fetes. Youth Wellbeing: Forty-seven teachers from 20 private schools took part in a masterclass on helping students navigate body image, social media pressure and self-esteem.

Health Workforce: At least 42 of 124 SWRHA workers have been terminated despite a pause in planned retrenchments. NUGFW plans to challenge the dismissals at the Industrial Court. Medicine Access: Drug shortages and access to cancer medicines remain in focus, with the Health Minister targeting shortages and opposition MP Bodoe promising action on CDAP. Children’s Care: The Children’s Life Fund and Caribbean Airlines have partnered to support children travelling overseas for medical treatment, including help arranging wheelchairs, oxygen and monitoring equipment. The initiative aims to ease travel costs for families. Tobago Beach Safety: Stolen buoys and anchors marking the bathing area at Pigeon Point have raised fresh concern about beach safety.

Children’s Medical Travel: A new partnership between the Children’s Life Fund Authority and Caribbean Airlines aims to reduce travel costs and coordinate medical support for children going overseas for critical treatment. Infant Death: A two-month-old was found dead at a Trinidad home weeks after open-heart surgery; the circumstances were not detailed in the report. Hospital Claims: Mothers seeking compensation over babies’ deaths at Port of Spain General say they will not accept settlements without an admission of responsibility and steps to prevent further harm. Health Workforce: The NUGFW plans to take the SWRHA to the Industrial Court over the termination of 124 daily-paid workers, which the union says was unlawful. Medicine Access: Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has faced calls for action on CDAP and cancer-drug shortages. Tobago Beach Safety: Buoys and anchors marking swimming areas at Pigeon Point were stolen, renewing concerns about safety at popular beaches.

Children’s Medical Travel: A new partnership between the Children’s Life Fund Authority and Caribbean Airlines aims to reduce travel costs for children who need treatment abroad, with support for medical equipment and mobility needs during flights. Infant Death: A two-month-old girl who had open-heart surgery in the Cayman Islands was found unresponsive at her Fairfield home; a post-mortem is expected to determine the cause. Hospital Accountability: Mothers seeking compensation over the deaths of 19 babies at Port of Spain General Hospital say they will not accept settlements without an admission of liability, and are calling for answers and steps to prevent further deaths. Drug Access: Health Minister questions include action on medicine shortages, with cancer drugs and the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme among the concerns. Healthcare Workers: Nurses and doctors in Trinidad and Tobago can take part in a PAHO survey on workplace conditions and mental health through October 30.

Beach Safety: Tobago’s beach protections are under threat after buoys and anchors marking the bathing area at Pigeon Point were stolen. The theft renews concerns following the death of a child in a jet-ski collision there. Hospital Accountability: Families seeking compensation over babies’ deaths at Port of Spain General Hospital say they will not accept settlements without an admission of responsibility. Their lawyers say the claims involve 19 infants and call for measures to prevent further deaths. Healthcare Workforce: The NUGFW plans to take the SWRHA to the Industrial Court over the termination of 124 daily-paid workers, which the union says was unlawful. Infant Death: A two-month-old girl was found unresponsive at home weeks after open-heart surgery in the Cayman Islands. A post-mortem is expected to determine the cause of death. Health Worker Well-being: PAHO is inviting nurses and medical professionals in Trinidad and Tobago to take part in a regional survey on mental health, well-being and working conditions. The survey closes October 30. Health Services: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe has promised action on CDAP and cancer drug shortages.

Infant Health: A two-month-old girl has died at home, nearly two months after open-heart surgery in the Cayman Islands. A post-mortem is expected to determine the cause. Hospital Accountability: Families representing claims involving 19 babies who died at Port of Spain General Hospital say they will not accept settlements without an admission of liability and steps to prevent further deaths. Medicine Supply: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says plans include a central warehouse and an updated cancer-drug formulary; he cited about $346 million in reported wastage of expired supplies. Health Workforce: PAHO is inviting nurses and doctors providing direct patient care in T&T to join a regional mental-health and working-conditions survey, open until October 30. Prosthetic Care: The British Virgin Islands is exploring referrals to Trinidad’s National Prosthetics Centre, where some patients can receive a prosthetic limb as soon as the day after assessment.

Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health: Trinidad and Tobago is among 17 countries in a new PAHO study on the mental health, well-being and working conditions of nurses and doctors. The survey is open until October 30 to professionals providing direct patient care. Medicine Access: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says action is being taken to address shortages of chronic disease and cancer drugs, including medicines for breast cancer. Plans include a central supply warehouse and an updated cancer drug list. Prosthetic Care: The British Virgin Islands is exploring a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre in Penal for people who have lost limbs, with services covering assessment, fitting and rehabilitation. Counselling Support: A local counselling practitioner says she offers help to people facing domestic abuse who cannot afford professional support, so financial hardship does not prevent them from seeking care.

Prosthetics Access: The Virgin Islands is working toward a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre in Penal, giving people who have lost limbs access to assessment, prosthetic fitting and rehabilitation. Medicine Shortages: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says steps are under way to address shortages affecting CDAP medicines and cancer drugs, including exemestane, anastrozole and letrozole. Plans include pharmacy reviews, a central supply warehouse and updates to the cancer medicines list. Health Workforce: Nurses have warned of possible action over unpaid wages, raising concerns about pressure on public services. Prevention: Caribbean psychiatrists are urging a review of the legal age for alcohol and cannabis use, with Trinidad and Tobago’s Dr Nadia Wallace calling for stronger protections for young people. Disease Preparedness: Trinidad and Tobago’s new EDGe Centre aims to strengthen the country’s ability to detect and respond to emerging disease threats.

Medicine Access: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says the Government is tackling shortages of CDAP and cancer drugs, with a pharmacy adviser reviewing supplies and a central warehouse planned. He also cited about $346 million in expired medicines and said the National Oncology Formulary is being updated. Health Workforce: Nurses have warned of possible action over unpaid wages, raising concerns about pressure on public services. Disease Preparedness: Trinidad and Tobago’s new EDGe Centre aims to strengthen defences against emerging disease threats. Prevention: Caribbean psychiatrists are urging a review of the legal age for alcohol and cannabis use, with public health a key concern.

Medicine Access: Health Minister Lackram Bodoe says action is under way to address shortages in the public system, including breast cancer drugs exemestane, anastrozole and letrozole. A pharmacy adviser will investigate supply problems, and safe alternatives may be offered when prescribed medicines are unavailable. Cancer Care: Stage-four breast cancer patient Luanna Duncan says shortages are leaving patients frightened and forcing some to seek costly private treatment. Emerging Diseases: A new EDGe Centre is set to strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s defences against emerging disease threats. Substance Use: A Caribbean psychiatrist is urging a review of the legal age for alcohol and cannabis use, arguing that public health should guide the debate.

Regional Health Funding: Trinidad and Tobago is among the CARICOM countries set to benefit from a US$61.5 million regional health initiative within a wider US$340.3 million package for health, connectivity and security. Nursing Services: The national nurses’ association warns members may take further action over unpaid wage arrears, raising concerns about pressure on health services. Cancer Care: Breast cancer patient Luanna Duncan says shortages of essential medicines are leaving public-system patients fearful and forcing some families to pay privately. Another survivor described delays and costs in getting cancer tests and treatment. Prevention: Caribbean psychiatrists are urging a review of the legal age for alcohol and cannabis use, with public health a central concern.

Regional Health Funding: The U.S. announced $340.3 million for Caribbean and Central American connectivity, health and security, including $61.5 million for regional health initiatives. Nursing Workforce: T&T nurses warn they may take further action over unpaid wage arrears, raising concern for already stretched health services. Product Recall: GraceKennedy expanded its recall of select Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch batches sold in T&T and other markets; the company says it is a quality issue, not a food-safety concern. Cancer Care: Breast cancer patient Luanna Duncan says shortages of essential medicines in the public system are leaving patients frightened and forcing some to pay privately. Prevention: Caribbean psychiatrists are calling for a review of the legal age for alcohol and cannabis use, urging public health to guide the debate. Disease Preparedness: T&T’s new EDGe Centre aims to strengthen the country’s defences against emerging disease threats.

Cancer Care: A Score4Cancer football initiative is spotlighting survivor Abby’s four-year fight with vulvar cancer. She says delays accessing scans, biopsies and treatment were among her hardest challenges. Stage-four breast cancer patient Luanna Duncan is also warning that shortages of medicines in the public system are leaving patients struggling to find and afford treatment. Nursing Pressure: Nurses warn they may take further action over unpaid wage arrears and stalled negotiations. The union says some RHA staff are still on 2013 salaries. Health-worker Well-being: PAHO is seeking T&T nurses and doctors providing direct patient care for a regional mental-health and working-conditions survey, open through October 30. Product Recall: GraceKennedy expanded its voluntary recall of specified one-litre Tropical Rhythms Fruit Punch batches sold in T&T and other Caribbean markets. The company says it is a quality issue, not a food-safety concern; the added 200ml batch is sold in Jamaica only. Prevention: A Caribbean psychiatrist is urging a review of the legal age for alcohol and cannabis use, putting public health at the centre of the debate.