AGP Executive Report

Tobago Baby Grant Backpay: The THA will pay over $600,000 in retroactive backpay for its new $500 monthly baby grant (from Jan 1, 2026), with parents applying online via the Tobago ID and receiving funds directly to bank accounts. COVID-19 Update: The Ministry of Health says COVID-19 remains at low levels, reporting 4 positive cases from 731 samples up to August, while warning that seasonal influenza can look like COVID. Maternal & Birthrate Focus: Tobago has launched the universal $500 baby benefit for the first five years of a child’s life, aimed at supporting families amid a declining birthrate. Hyperbaric Care Milestone: Trinidad’s International Hyperbaric Medical Facility treated its first patient for Type II decompression sickness, marking a new local option for time-sensitive diving emergencies. Public Health Workplace Concerns: Allegations of gang intimidation and extortion within the NCRHA have triggered calls for reform and stronger patient safety protections. Community Support via Sport: Flow will donate $200 per TKR six in the 2026 CPL to the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD). FDA Recall Alert: The FDA updated a recall of Schwarzkopf Osis Grip Mousse (over 72,000 units affected, including Trinidad), citing a potential packaging issue.

Maternal & Child Health (Tobago): The Tobago House of Assembly launched a $500 monthly baby grant to support maternal wellness and families, running until the child turns five and retroactive to Jan 1, 2026; the Tobago Youth Council says it’s “a drip in the bucket,” pointing to unemployment and underemployment as bigger barriers to parenthood. Public Health Update (COVID-19): Trinidad and Tobago’s Health Ministry says there’s no COVID-19 resurgence, reporting four positive cases from 731 samples up to August, while noting seasonal increases in other respiratory viruses. Emergency Care Access (Hyperbaric Medicine): Trinidad’s International Hyperbaric Medical Facility treated its first Type II decompression sickness patient, a time-sensitive diving emergency, marking improved local access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Local Health System Concerns: NCRHA staff allegations of bullying, extortion and alleged gang activity have triggered internal reform, with political leaders distancing themselves from the claims. Health & Wellness Loss: A 16-year-old Trinidadian footballer, Rishaun De Silva, died after a brain cancer battle in the US, with family fundraisers reported during treatment.

Tobago Baby Grant: The Tobago House of Assembly has launched a $500 monthly baby grant to tackle a birthrate drop of more than 50%, with payments for parents of babies born from Jan 1, 2026 through age five, and applications running via the new Tobago ID portal. COVID-19 Update: The Ministry of Health says there’s no significant COVID-19 resurgence in Trinidad and Tobago, noting four positive cases from 731 samples up to August and pointing to expected seasonal rises in other respiratory viruses. Hyperbaric Care Milestone: The International Hyperbaric Medical Facility treated its first Type II decompression sickness case in Tobago, highlighting faster access to emergency hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Cancer Loss: A 16-year-old Trinidadian footballer, Rishaun De Silva, has died after a brain cancer battle in the United States, with family fundraising efforts noted. Health & Safety: A Florida woman is in critical condition after third-degree burns from a fireworks accident at Queen’s Park Savannah, while Tobago’s youth council questions whether the $500 grant is enough to support young parents.

Tobago Baby Grant: The THA has launched a $500 monthly baby grant under its Universal Child Benefit Programme as birthrates fall by over 50%, with applications opening and payments retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026 (paid until age five). Digital Access in Tobago: Tobago ID is now live, letting residents track THA services online and sign up for the grant through the platform. ReLeaf TT Reforestation: The Agriculture Ministry unveiled ReLeaf TT, a pilot to restore 102 hectares with 236,000+ trees, using digital mapping to measure and track forest recovery. Water Safety & Health: A piece on Independence-era diet and lifestyle shifts links modern chronic illness trends to processed food and stress, urging better brain health habits. Local Medical Care: Paria-S.E.E. partnership supports cataract surgeries, while SGMC Health welcomed a sports-medicine orthopedic surgeon (Johann Braithwaite, DO) to expand specialist access. Public Health in Focus: A Charlotte Soul Festival highlights a wellness zone with blood donation, health screenings, mammograms, and Black maternal health information.

ReLeaf TT Reforestation Pilot: Trinidad and Tobago’s ReLeaf TT programme was launched to restore degraded forest land, with a pilot of 102 hectares and 236,000+ trees, using science and digital mapping to track progress. Tobago Digital Services: Tobago House of Assembly launched Tobago ID, a digital platform to access and track THA services online, alongside a new $500 monthly baby grant starting retroactively to Jan 1, 2026. Children’s Life Fund Milestone: The amended Children’s Life Fund Act enabled an international specialist to carry out a specialised procedure locally at EWMSC, marking the first time such treatment was delivered in T&T instead of sending a child abroad. Wellness & Screening at Charlotte Soul Festival: The Charlotte Soul Festival returns with a wellness zone offering blood donation, health screenings, mammograms, and Black maternal health information. Health Warning for Independence Celebrations: A Florida woman remains in critical condition after third-degree burns from an Independence Day fireworks accident at Queen’s Park Savannah. Local Health Insight: A feature on lemon water in the morning breaks down real benefits and myths around weight loss and health claims. Public Safety & Health Context: A 49-year-old woman was reported dead after a shooting near Fort Dundonald Villas, underscoring ongoing community safety concerns.

Tobago Health & Services: The Tobago House of Assembly launched Tobago ID, a digital platform to let residents access and track THA services online, aiming to cut delays and improve transparency—plus the $500 monthly baby grant is now taking effect. Children’s Health Access: The amended Children’s Life Fund Act enabled a first local procedure with an international specialist at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, reducing the need to send children overseas for specialised care. Drought & Public Health: Tobago is expanding its water tank support as drought-like conditions loom, while regional forecasts warn of worsening heat and dry spells into 2027—raising risks for vulnerable groups. Wellness Myth Check: A health explainer breaks down the real benefits and myths around drinking lemon water first thing in the morning, separating nutrition facts from hype. Local Legal/Health Impact: A Tobago man’s challenge to being stopped from SRP training after medical and psychiatric assessments was dismissed by the High Court.

Tobago Health & Safety: A Tobago man’s legal challenge to continue Special Reserve Police (SRP) training was dismissed after medical and psychiatric assessments raised concerns, with the High Court ruling the decision was within reasonable limits. Water Security: Tobago’s Health and Wellness division says it will expand support for water tanks as drought-like conditions loom, while meteorologists warn of hotter, drier months ahead. Climate & Public Health: The Caribbean is urged to brace for a severe drought and heat crisis stretching into 2027, with Trinidad and Tobago facing below-normal rainfall and more hot-spell days. Children’s Care Milestone: The amended Children’s Life Fund Act enabled a first local procedure with an international specialist, carried out at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex with local specialists supporting. Wellness Myth Check: An expert breaks down the real benefits and myths around drinking lemon water every morning. Local Health Risk Alert: Authorities advised avoiding a shoreline area in the Crescent Bar region after a dog died from possible blue-green algae exposure. Regenerative Medicine Push: Atunse Healthcare Caribbean launched plans to position Trinidad and Tobago as a hub for regenerative medicine, including clinical collaboration, training, and potential local vaccine manufacturing.

Tobago Drought Prep: Tobago’s health leadership says more help is coming for water storage, including an expansion of the free water tank support for families without tanks as hotter, drier conditions loom. Climate & Public Health: Regional warnings point to a potentially severe drought and heat crisis stretching into 2027, raising pressure on water supplies, farming, and health systems. Children’s Life Fund Milestone: The amended Children’s Life Fund Act enabled a first local procedure with an international specialist, reducing the need to send a child overseas; the case was carried out at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex with local specialists and a ministerial visit. Cancer Care Call: A cancer survivor is urging a national conversation on cancer care in T&T, citing long waits for scans and medication shortages that add stress for patients. Wellness Myth Check: An expert breaks down the real benefits and myths behind drinking lemon water every morning, separating nutrition facts from weight-loss claims. Safety Alert: A dog died after possible exposure to toxic algae at Crescent Bar, with health officials advising people to avoid risky shoreline/lake areas and watch for warning signs. Local Incident: A 49-year-old woman died after being shot in the head near Fort Dundonald Villas, with police investigating a suspect detained at the scene.

Children’s Health Milestone: Trinidad and Tobago’s amended Children’s Life Fund Act has enabled a first-ever local procedure where an international specialist travelled to treat a child in-country, working alongside local doctors at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex after the Aug. 28 visit to Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital by Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe. Tobago Water Security: Tobago House of Assembly officials say more help is coming for vulnerable residents to store water, including an expansion of the free water tank support programme as drought-like conditions worsen. Caribbean Drought Warning: Regional experts warn El Niño-driven heat and reduced rainfall could intensify into 2027, raising risks for water supplies, farming and public health. Medication Access: Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe says steps are underway to address shortages affecting some CDAP medicines and certain cancer drugs, noting most CDAP items remain accessible. Cancer Care Call: A cancer survivor and former nurse is urging a national conversation on cancer care amid long waits for scans, medicine shortages and growing patient stress. Wellness Innovation: Atunse Healthcare Partnership is pitching Trinidad and Tobago as a hub for regenerative medicine growth, including clinical collaboration, training and possible local vaccine manufacturing.

Children’s Health Access: The Children’s Life Fund Authority marked a major milestone for children with life-limiting illnesses, after July 2025 amendments expanded the CLFA Act—now allowing an international specialist to deliver a specialised procedure locally at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, with Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe visiting the Wendy Fitzwilliam Paediatric Hospital to see the impact firsthand. Cancer Care Pressure: A national call is growing for better cancer care in Trinidad and Tobago, with concerns about long waits for scans, medication shortages, and the stress these delays add for patients and families. Medication Supply Watch: Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe says shortages affecting some Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) medicines and certain cancer drugs are being addressed, noting progress on procurement and ad hoc purchases by regional health authorities. Tobago Wellness & Preparedness: Tobago’s health and emergency teams are urging residents to build resilience beyond physical readiness—highlighting mental and emotional preparedness, plus support plans for vulnerable people during disasters. Food Safety Skills: UWI nutrition and dietetics interns in Trinidad received advanced ServSafe Train-the-Trainer food safety training through CARPHA, strengthening practical hygiene and food handling skills for future workplaces. Diabetes Eye Health: Paria Fuel Trading and the S.E.E. Foundation will fund cataract surgeries for 15 patients, as the Ministry flags diabetes-related eye disease as a major burden needing screening and partnerships.

Cancer Care Call: A national conversation on cancer care is being urged in Trinidad and Tobago over long waits for scans, medication shortages, and the stress these delays add for patients. Regional Health Ambition: T&T is pitching itself as a hub for regenerative medicine, advanced cancer treatment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing at a Caribbean conference. Medication Access: Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe says most Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) medicines remain accessible, while shortages of some drugs (including cancer medicines) are being addressed through improved supply and ad hoc regional purchases. Eye Health Support: Paria Fuel and the Save Eyes Everywhere (S.E.E.) Foundation will fund cataract surgeries for 15 patients, highlighting the high cost of diabetic eye disease treatment. Tobago Preparedness: Tobago is urged to strengthen mental and emotional readiness for disasters, with community resilience workshops stressing support for vulnerable families. Water & Wellness: Tobago will expand its free water tank supplement programme as drought-like conditions are forecast, while WASA fee increases for inspections and approvals are confirmed as part of modernization. Food Safety Training: UWI nutrition and dietetics interns get advanced food safety skills through CARPHA’s ServSafe Train-the-Trainer programme in Trinidad. Independence & Health Mindset: Independence Day reflections link national progress with personal health checks—especially heart risks and stress.

Cancer Care Call: A cancer survivor and former nurse, Nicole Dyer Griffith, is urging a national conversation on Trinidad and Tobago’s cancer care gaps, citing long waits for scans, medication shortages, and the extra anxiety this creates. Medication Access: Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe says steps are underway to tackle shortages of some Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) medicines and certain cancer drugs, noting most CDAP items remain accessible while supply and procurement processes are being strengthened. Regional Health Hub Vision: Trinidad and Tobago is being positioned as a hub for regenerative medicine, advanced cancer treatment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing at a Caribbean conference. Tobago Preparedness: Tobago is urged to build mind, body, and community resilience for disasters, with attention not just to physical readiness but also mental and emotional preparedness. Water & Drought Watch: Tobago’s water tank programme is set to expand to help vulnerable households as drought-like conditions are forecast, and WASA fee changes are confirmed following a review of “archaic” rates. Eye Health Support: Fifteen patients are set to benefit from cataract surgeries through the Paria-S.E.E. partnership, highlighting the diabetes-related eye disease burden. Food Safety Skills: UWI students in Trinidad and Tobago gain advanced food safety training through CARPHA’s ServSafe Train-the-Trainer programme. Breastfeeding Support: A call is renewed to make breastfeeding possible, focusing on what mothers need to succeed beyond advice alone.

Food Safety Skills: UWI St. Augustine nutrition and dietetics interns got advanced ServSafe Train-the-Trainer food safety training via CARPHA, boosting practical hygiene and handling skills for future careers. Eye Health Access: Paria-S.E.E. partnership will fund cataract surgeries for 15 patients, with Minister of Health Dr Lackram Bodoe highlighting the heavy diabetes-related eye disease burden. Tobago Disaster Readiness: THA urged “mind, body and community” preparedness at a resilience workshop, stressing mental health planning and support for vulnerable elders during emergencies. Water Security for Tobago: THA says it will expand the free water tank supplement programme to help households without tanks as drought-like conditions are forecast. Breastfeeding Support: A submission for Breastfeeding Awareness Month calls out the gap between encouraging breastfeeding and making it realistically possible for mothers. Community Health Screening: THA’s “Ready. Set. Fête” wellness initiative opens to the public with free health screenings this Friday. Public Health Alert: Tobago’s water and health planning comes alongside broader warnings about toxic algae risks to pets, underscoring how quickly local conditions can affect wellbeing.

CPL Community Health & Inclusion: Flow’s “Every Six Gives Back” is set to donate TT$200 for every six scored by the Trinbago Knight Riders, with proceeds going to the National Centre for Persons with Disabilities—linking sport with inclusion across Trinidad and Tobago. Eye Care Access: Paria Fuel Trading Co. and the Save Eyes Everywhere (S.E.E.) Foundation will fund 15 cataract surgeries, as Health Minister Dr Lackram Bodoe warns diabetes-related eye disease is a major driver of costly blindness. Tobago Disaster Preparedness: Tobago is urged to prepare mind, body and community for disasters, with THA’s Dr Faith Brebnor stressing psychological readiness and planning for vulnerable elders. Water Security for Tobago: The THA says it will expand its free water tank supplement programme to help households without tanks as drought-like conditions are forecast from late September into October. Breastfeeding Support Push: A submission for Breastfeeding Awareness Month highlights the “golden hour” and asks whether mothers are truly supported to breastfeed. Local Emergency Response: Princes Town’s fire station has reopened, restoring 24-hour response for the area and surrounding communities. Health System & Legal Tension: Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro threatens legal action against the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian over claims about access to medical care during Star Sabga’s detention.

Cataract Care Boost: Fifteen patients in Tobago will get free cataract surgeries through the Paria-S.E.E. partnership, as the Ministry of Health flags diabetes-related eye disease as a major driver of preventable blindness. Postpartum Mental Health: A new report highlights postpartum psychosis as a rare but devastating emergency after childbirth, urging families to watch for warning signs and seek urgent care. Breastfeeding Support: A submission for Breastfeeding Awareness Month asks a key question—are we making breastfeeding possible in real life, not just telling mothers to do it? Tobago Disaster Readiness: Tobago’s health and wellness officials are pushing “mind, body and community” preparedness, stressing psychological readiness and support for vulnerable family members during emergencies. Drought Warning: Meteorological officials warn drought-like conditions could hit Tobago from late August into September/October, with hotter days and less rainfall likely. Women’s Health Funding: The Ministry of Finance advances implementation of the Women’s Health Fund, aiming to expand access to essential care. Community Health Days: Arima’s “Day of Dignity” supported 103 vulnerable residents with meals, medical checks, counselling and clothing, while Princes Town’s fire station reopening strengthens emergency response for surrounding communities.

Water Security in Tobago: The Tobago House of Assembly says it will expand its free water tank supplement programme to help vulnerable households get at least one tank, as meteorologists warn drought-like conditions could hit from late August into September/October. Community Health Access: THA’s workforce wellness push, “Ready. Set. Fête,” is set to offer free public health screenings this Friday at the DHW ground floor. Cancer Care Pressure: Cancer advocate Nicole Dyer-Griffith says Trinidad and Tobago is at a “crisis point” in cancer care, citing long waits for scans, delayed results, and medication shortages that can stretch to nearly a year. Emergency Response Update: Princes Town’s fire station has reopened at 12–14 King Street, restoring 24-hour fire and emergency services for the area and surrounding communities. Health in the Spotlight (Legal): Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro threatens legal action against the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian over its reporting on medical access for 70-year-old Star Sabga. Health & Wellness Funding: The Ministry of Finance advances implementation of the Women’s Health Fund, targeting improved support for women’s health needs.