AGP Executive Report

Ebola Preparedness: St. Vincent and the Grenadines issued a strict travel advisory urging people to avoid non-essential trips to Ebola-risk countries, while the Health Ministry ramps up border surveillance, screening, and quarantine/isolation facilities for arrivals. Customs & Trade Health: SVG launched an upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 system to move customs toward paperless processing under the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), aiming for safer, smarter, faster declarations and online duty payments. Paediatric Care Support: Tropical Shipping donated EC$3,260 to World Paediatrics to help fund advanced paediatric surgical and diagnostic services for children across SVG and the wider Caribbean. Scoliosis Clinic at MCMH: World Paediatrics ran a high-demand scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries in May. Mental Health for Men: A local pastor delivered a message for Men’s Mental Health Month, urging men to seek support and challenge stigma around vulnerability and therapy. Community Health & Clean-Up: Housing Minister Andrew John and partners launched renewed action against illegal dumping, cleaning areas like old Argyle Road and Akers bypass to restore public spaces and reduce hazards. Regional Lab Readiness: Eastern Caribbean countries began work on tier-based laboratory networks to speed outbreak detection and response, aligned with international health standards.

Ebola Preparedness: St. Vincent and the Grenadines issued a strict travel advisory for people to avoid non-essential trips to Ebola-risk countries, while the Health Ministry ramps up border surveillance, screening, and quarantine/isolation capacity; arrivals from listed high-risk nations will face enhanced checks. Digital Health & Trade Readiness: Customs launched an upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 system to move SVG toward paperless customs and support the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift), aiming for safer, smarter, faster declarations and online duty payments. Regional Lab Response: Eastern Caribbean health and lab teams met in Saint Lucia to plan tier-based laboratory networks to speed outbreak detection and response under International Health Regulations. Child Health Support: World Paediatrics clinics and surgeries continued at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, with Tropical Shipping donating EC$3,260 to help fund advanced paediatric services. Mental Health for Men: A local pastor urged men in SVG to break stigma and seek support during Men’s Mental Health Month. Climate Resilience Funding: SVG pushed for expanded access to Green Climate Fund support, including a water security initiative, while GEF approved a US$6.1m ecosystem restoration project for the south corridor. Community Environment: Housing and water/waste partners joined a renewed clean-up drive to tackle illegal dumping and restore public spaces.

Trade & Digital Health of the Economy: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise launched an upgraded ASYCUDA World 4.4 system to move customs toward a paperless setup, laying groundwork for the Vincy Single Window for Trade (VSwift). Brokers and importers can lodge declarations, upload documents, track status, and pay duties online—part of a World Bank and UNCTAD-backed Caribbean Digital Transformation effort. Public Health Security: The Ministry of Health issued a strict travel advisory urging nationals and residents to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola high-risk countries, while strengthening border surveillance, screening, quarantine and isolation facilities. Outbreak Readiness: Eastern Caribbean labs are working toward faster disease detection through tier-based laboratory networks, with PAHO convening regional stakeholders to align systems with International Health Regulations and Universal Health standards. Mental Health (Men): A local pastor delivered a message for Men’s Mental Health Month, urging men in SVG to seek support and challenge stigma around therapy. Community Health & Care: World Paediatrics ran a high-demand scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing children and completing surgeries, supported by partners including Tropical Shipping. Environment & Resilience: GEF approved a US$6.1 million ecosystem restoration project for St. Vincent, aiming to restore degraded lands and support climate resilience and livelihoods.

Ebola Preparedness: St. Vincent and the Grenadines issued a strict travel advisory for people avoiding non-essential trips to Ebola-risk countries, while the Health Ministry ramps up border surveillance, screening, and quarantine/isolation facilities for arrivals from places including DRC, Uganda, Angola, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Somalia and others. Paediatric Care Support: Tropical Shipping donated EC$3,260 to World Paediatrics to help fund advanced surgical and diagnostic services for children in SVG and the wider Caribbean. Scoliosis Clinic at MCMH: World Paediatrics ran a high-demand scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries in May. Community Health & Environment: Housing Minister Andrew John and partners launched renewed clean-up and enforcement against illegal dumping around the old Argyle roadway and Akers bypass, aiming to restore recreational spaces. Disease Detection Boost: Eastern Caribbean labs are linking up through PAHO-led work on tier-based laboratory networks to speed outbreak detection and response. Mental Health for Men: Pastor Brent St. Jean urged men in SVG to seek help during Men’s Mental Health Month, challenging stigma and normalizing therapy. Sudden Deaths Investigated: Police are investigating two sudden deaths in Bequia and Union Island, with post-mortems planned to determine causes.

Ebola readiness in SVG: St. Vincent and the Grenadines issued a strict travel advisory for people heading to or arriving from Ebola-risk countries, while the Ministry of Health strengthens border surveillance, screening, and quarantine/isolation capacity. Public health misinformation check: The health ministry also dismissed WhatsApp rumors about a Hantavirus case, saying there are no suspected or confirmed cases and urging residents to rely on official updates. Paediatric care support: Tropical Shipping donated EC$3,260 to World Paediatrics to help fund advanced paediatric surgical and diagnostic services for children in SVG and the wider Caribbean. Scoliosis clinic at MCMH: World Paediatrics ran a high-demand scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, assessing 42 children and completing eight paediatric spinal surgeries. Mental health for men: Pastor Brent St. Jean marked Men’s Mental Health Month with a message encouraging men in SVG to seek support and break stigma around therapy. Community health and safety: Police are investigating sudden deaths in the Grenadines (Bequia and Union Island), with post-mortems planned to determine causes. Food security push: SVG is advancing a Food Security Crisis Response Plan to reduce repeat losses after disasters and improve monitoring of food vulnerability. Environment and resilience: GEF approved a US$6.1 million ecosystem restoration project for St. Vincent, aiming to support livelihoods and climate resilience through nature-based solutions.

Ebola Preparedness: St. Vincent and the Grenadines has issued a strict travel advisory for people heading to or arriving from Ebola-risk countries, while the Ministry of Health strengthens border surveillance, screening, and quarantine/isolation readiness. Outbreak Response Planning: Eastern Caribbean labs are linking up through PAHO-led work on tier-based laboratory networks to speed up detection and response. Men’s Mental Health: A local pastor urged men in SVG to speak up, seek support, and challenge stigma during Men’s Mental Health Month. Child Health Access: Tropical Shipping donated EC$3,260 to World Paediatrics, supporting advanced pediatric care, including a recent scoliosis clinic at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital with surgeries for children. Community Clean-Up: Housing Minister Andrew John and partners launched renewed action against illegal dumping, including clean-ups and plans to restore public spaces. Climate & Water Security: Prime Minister Friday is pushing for climate financing with a focus on a water security initiative, while GEF approved a US$6.1m ecosystem restoration project for St. Vincent. Food Security: Government is advancing a Food Security Crisis Response Plan to move from repeated emergency recovery to better preparedness. Misinformation Watch: The health ministry dismissed false social media claims about a Hantavirus case in SVG.

Ebola Preparedness: St. Vincent and the Grenadines issued a strict travel advisory urging nationals and residents to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola-risk countries, while the Health Ministry strengthens border surveillance and quarantine/isolation readiness and will enhance screening for arrivals from listed high-risk nations. Men’s Mental Health: A June message from Pastor Brent St. Jean targets stigma around men’s mental health, urging Vincentian men to reach out to trusted people and seek help early. Outbreak Readiness: Eastern Caribbean labs are linking up through PAHO-led work on tier-based laboratory networks to speed up disease detection and response. Paediatric Care Support: World Paediatrics clinics at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital assessed 42 children and completed eight scoliosis surgeries, supported by partners including Tropical Shipping. Community Health & Environment: Housing Minister Andrew John and CWSA joined a renewed cleanup drive to remove illegal dumping and restore key public spaces. Climate & Health Resilience: St. Vincent and the Grenadines is pushing for climate financing and ecosystem restoration, including a US$6.1m GEF project for watershed ecosystem recovery. Health Misinformation Watch: The Ministry dismissed false Hantavirus rumors circulating on social media, stressing there are no suspected or confirmed cases and urging people to rely on official updates.

Ebola Preparedness: St. Vincent and the Grenadines issued a strict travel advisory, urging residents to avoid non-essential trips to countries with higher Ebola transmission risk. The Ministry of Health says there are no suspected or confirmed cases in SVG, but it is boosting border surveillance and strengthening quarantine and isolation facilities. Targeted Screening: Arrivals from places including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Central African Republic, Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Somalia, and the Republic of Congo will face enhanced screening, with quarantine/isolation if needed. Public Health Clarity: The Ministry also dismissed WhatsApp rumors about Hantavirus, stressing there are no suspected or confirmed Hantavirus cases and no quarantines linked to the claims. Mental Health for Men: In Men’s Mental Health Month, Pastor Brent St. Jean urged men to break stigma, seek support early, and remember that asking for help is not weakness. Outbreak Response Planning: Eastern Caribbean labs are linking up through PAHO-led work on tier-based laboratory networks to speed detection and response. Paediatric Care Support: Tropical Shipping donated EC$3,260 to World Paediatrics to help fund advanced paediatric surgical and diagnostic services across SVG and the wider region.

Hurricane Beryl and health readiness: Union Island faces devastation as the region braces for the 2026 hurricane season, with renewed calls for earlier warnings and disaster planning that protect lives and mental wellbeing. Climate finance for resilience: Prime Minister Godwin Friday met the Green Climate Fund to expand access to climate money, including a water security project plus priorities like agriculture, sustainable tourism, and the blue economy. Ecosystem restoration: The Global Environment Facility approved a US$6.1 million project to restore watersheds and degraded lands in St. Vincent, aiming to support livelihoods and climate resilience. Food security support: St. Vincent is advancing its Food Security Crisis Response Plan, while the Zero Hunger Trust Fund received seed donations to boost backyard gardening and small-scale production. Health misinformation pushback: The Ministry of Health dismissed WhatsApp rumors about Hantavirus, saying there are no suspected or confirmed cases and urging people to rely on official updates. Paediatric care access: World Paediatrics clinics at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital assessed children for scoliosis and completed spinal surgeries, supported by Tropical Shipping donations. Community health services: The Lions Club Kingstown-SVG and US “Sight For Life” are delivering free eye care screenings and referrals, with surgical scheduling at MCMH. Local environment cleanup: Housing Minister Andrew John and partners are tackling illegal dumping in South Windward to restore public spaces and strengthen enforcement.

Climate & Water Security: Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday met the Green Climate Fund in Nassau to push for more climate financing, including a water security initiative now being prepared for submission, plus priorities for agriculture, sustainable tourism, and the blue economy, supported by a readiness programme to strengthen project preparation. Ecosystem Restoration Funding: The Global Environment Facility approved a US$6.1 million project for nature-based watershed restoration in St. Vincent’s south corridor, led by UNEP and executed through a Caribbean training and technology centre. Health Misinformation Alert: The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy says there are no suspected or confirmed hantavirus cases in SVG and urges people to stop sharing false WhatsApp claims about quarantine escapes, while noting surveillance at ports of entry continues. Food Security Push: Government is advancing its Food Security Crisis Response Plan to move from repeated emergency recovery to earlier preparation, including monitoring fertilizer and supply risks that can hit farmers hard. Community Health Access: The Lions Club Kingstown-SVG and US-based Sight For Life are running “Eye Care For U” with free screenings and referrals, including surgical scheduling at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Local Safety & Tragedies: Police are investigating two sudden deaths in the Grenadines (Bequia and Union Island) with post-mortems planned, and separate reports describe two women dead after violent incidents in Union Island and Campden Park. Youth & Skills for Work: Sandals’ Student Hospitality Etiquette and Service Excellence Programme is being promoted as workforce-ready training for TVET students entering the tourism and hospitality sector.

GEF Funding for Resilience: The Global Environment Facility approved a US$6.1 million project to restore ecosystems and improve sustainable land management in St. Vincent, led by UNEP and executed through a Caribbean training centre. Health Misinformation Alert: The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy says there are no suspected or confirmed Hantavirus cases in SVG and urges people to stop sharing unverified WhatsApp claims about quarantine escapes. Food Security Push: Government is advancing its Food Security Crisis Response Plan to move from repeated emergency recovery toward earlier preparation, amid warnings about limited fertilizer supplies and ongoing vulnerability. Local Health Services: Officials toured the Byera Health Centre, praising the work underway and reaffirming support for residents. Pediatric Care Support: Tropical Shipping donated EC$3,260 to World Pediatrics to help fund advanced surgical and diagnostic services for children in SVG and the wider region. Eye Care Access: Lions Club Kingstown-SVG and US-based Sight For Life delivered free eye screenings and referrals, with surgical interventions planned at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Sudden Deaths Investigated: Police are investigating two separate sudden deaths in the Grenadines, with post-mortems planned to determine causes. Diplomacy with Health Links: SVG’s new ambassador to Taiwan, Kenton Chance, presented credentials, with cooperation highlighted in smart agriculture, smart healthcare, and sustainable tourism.

Diplomatic Health Solidarity: St. Vincent and the Grenadines marked 34 years of ties with Cuba in Havana, with Ambassador Angella Jackson highlighting Cuba’s medical support and training for Vincentians, and expressing solidarity as Cuba faces energy blackouts and hardship. Cancer Breakthrough in the Region: A report spotlights Cuba’s VAXIRA lung cancer vaccine, noting long-term survival results and building on earlier CIMAvax work. Local Health Misinformation: SVG’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy has dismissed WhatsApp rumors about Hantavirus, saying there are no suspected or confirmed cases and no quarantine escapes. Food Security & Nutrition: Government is advancing its Food Security Crisis Response Plan to move from repeated emergency recovery to earlier preparation, while the Zero Hunger Trust Fund received seed donations to support backyard gardening and small-scale production. Community Eye Care: Lions Club Kingstown-SVG and U.S. specialists are running free “Eye Care For U” screenings and referrals, with surgical scheduling through Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Public Safety: Police are investigating two sudden deaths in the Grenadines, with post-mortems planned to determine causes.

Cancer & Vaccines: Cuba’s Center for Molecular Immunology says its lung cancer vaccine VAXIRA is extending survival by training patients’ immune systems to fight tumors, with trials involving 1,300+ people and long-term follow-up. Health Alerts: SVG’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy has shut down WhatsApp rumors about a Hantavirus case, stressing there are no suspected or confirmed cases and urging people to share only official updates. Food Security: Government is advancing an SVG Food Security Crisis Response Plan to move from repeated emergency recovery to earlier preparation, amid warnings like limited fertilizer supplies. Local Health Services: Lions Club Kingstown-SVG and US eye specialists are running “Eye Care For U,” offering free screenings and referrals, with surgical interventions planned at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Community & Nutrition Support: Zero Hunger Trust Fund received three barrels of vegetable, herb and flower seeds from a Canadian charity to boost backyard gardening and small-scale production. Public Safety: Police are investigating two sudden deaths in the Grenadines (Union Island and Bequia), with post-mortems to determine causes. Violence & Justice: A case involving the killing of 14-month-old Janae Samuel-Wright continues in court reporting, with the accused describing “demon” beliefs before the attack. Climate & Health Risk: A new regional report warns climate adaptation must connect to healthcare, poverty reduction and local planning, especially for fisheries and agriculture-dependent communities.

Hantavirus Misinformation: SVG’s Ministry of Health has shut down WhatsApp rumors claiming a Hantavirus case, quarantine, and escape from isolation—officially stating there are no suspected or confirmed cases and urging people to share only verified updates. Food Security Push: Government is advancing its Food Security Crisis Response Plan to move from repeated emergency recovery to earlier preparation, citing limited fertilizer supplies and rising global shipping pressures. Local Health Access: Lions Club Kingstown-SVG and U.S. specialists are running “Eye Care For U” with free screenings and referrals, plus surgical scheduling at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, reaching vulnerable groups across the islands. HIV Snapshot: Health officials report over 900 positive HIV cases in SVG over 40 years, shared during a male sexual and reproductive health roundtable. Youth & Community Wellness: Tropical Shipping donated to youth swimming development and to World Pediatrics to expand advanced pediatric services for children across SVG and the wider region. Climate & Health Risk: A new climate-focused report warns adaptation gaps leave fisheries and agriculture-dependent communities exposed first, and stresses linking climate planning with healthcare and poverty reduction.

Hantavirus Misinformation Shut Down: SVG’s Ministry of Health says WhatsApp rumors of a Hantavirus case, quarantine, and escape are completely false—there are no suspected or confirmed cases, and surveillance at airports and seaports remains in place. Food Security Push: Government is advancing a Food Security Crisis Response Plan to move from repeated emergency recovery to earlier preparation, after warnings that fertilizer supplies are low and shipping disruptions could worsen shortages. Seeds for Nutrition: Zero Hunger Trust Fund received three barrels of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds from Canada-based Still Kickin’ Charity to support backyard gardening and household food security. Regional Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean. Local Health Services: Lions Club Kingstown-SVG and U.S. specialists continue free eye care screenings and referrals, with surgical interventions planned at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Public Health Numbers: Health officials report over 900 positive HIV cases recorded in SVG over 40 years, alongside updated syphilis statistics. Extreme Heat Warning: Red Cross urges hydration, sun avoidance, dust precautions, and water conservation as extreme heat and drought persist. Sudden Deaths Investigated: Police are investigating two sudden deaths in the Grenadines—Union Island and Bequia—with post-mortems pending to determine causes.

Sudden deaths under investigation: Police are probing two separate sudden deaths in the Grenadines—Union Island (26-year-old Zariah Lewis) and Bequia (40-year-old Clias Dean found motionless near a breadfruit tree). Health misinformation crackdown: The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environmental Health and Energy has dismissed WhatsApp rumors about a Hantavirus case, saying there are no suspected or confirmed cases and no quarantine escapes. Food security support: The Zero Hunger Trust Fund received three barrels of vegetable, herb and flower seeds from Canada-based Still Kickin’ Charity to boost backyard gardening and small-scale production. Regional health access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a workshop in Saint Lucia to strengthen access to safe, quality-assured medicines and health technologies across the Eastern Caribbean. Extreme heat and drought warnings: The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Red Cross urges residents to hydrate, limit sun exposure, and protect people with asthma or breathing issues as Sahara dust and drought continue. HIV and STI data shared: Health officials reported over 900 positive HIV cases in SVG over 40 years and also shared syphilis statistics during a male sexual and reproductive health discussion.