PAHO/WHO and Antigua and Barbuda advance health priorities with signing of Multi Country Cooperation Strategy 2026–2031

St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, 29 January 2026, (PAHO) - Antigua and Barbuda has officially signed the PAHO/WHO Multi-Country Cooperation Strategy (MCCS) 2026-2031 for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, strengthening its commitment to improving health outcomes and advancing shared regional development priorities.

The signing was presided over by the Hon. Sir. Molwyn Joseph, Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, Antigua and Barbuda, who endorsed the Strategy on behalf of the Government. PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr. Amalia Del Riego, witnessed the ceremony, which took place yesterday in St. John's.

This national endorsement follows the regional launch and multi-country signing event held in Washington, D.C., in September 2025, where PAHO/WHO and Ministers of Health from Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean collectively endorsed the Strategy.

The MCCS 2026-2031 outlines a collaborative agenda to address priority health challenges across the Eastern Caribbean. Developed through extensive consultations with government stakeholders and PAHO technical teams, the Strategy focuses on:

• Strengthening health governance and leadership
• Combating Communicable Diseases
• Reducing NCDs and mental health burdens
• Transforming health systems
• Building climate-resilient health systems

Attendees at the ceremony included Sen. Michael Joseph, Junior Minister of Health, Dr. Kamaria De Castro, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Teri-Ann Joseph, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, and staff from PAHO's decentralized location in Antigua and Barbuda.

Dr. Del Riego commended Antigua and Barbuda's leadership and reaffirmed PAHO's commitment to supporting implementation:

"Antigua and Barbuda's formal endorsement reinforces our shared commitment to building stronger, more resilient, and more equitable health systems. PAHO looks forward to continued collaboration to ensure measurable, long-term impact for the population."