Primary Health Care Boost: The Bahamas has signed an MOU and officially joined the Alliance for Primary Health Care in the Americas, becoming the first CARICOM member state in the initiative, with a consultative mechanism led by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to coordinate investments and technical support. NHI Health Trends Clarified: Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville addressed confusion around NHI STI reporting, saying the focus is on people accessing primary care services through NHI and that a special unit handles data analysis and releases updated figures soon. HIV/STD Numbers Rise: NHI reported a 44% increase in HIV and AIDS cases among beneficiaries using services in 2025 (not new diagnoses), alongside a 9.6% rise in overall STDs and a 23% jump in syphilis, with women making up 58% of reported cases. Cancer Aid to Cuba: The Bahamas donated $500,000 in critical chemotherapy medication to Cuba for children at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiology in Havana. Medical Cannabis Steps Forward: Darville says the government has secured the digital platform (Metrc) to regulate medical cannabis from seed to sale and support licensing and e-prescriptions, while recreational cannabis remains illegal. Water Safety Reminder: Puerto Rico faces widespread water shutoffs affecting hundreds of thousands, underscoring the health risks of disrupted water access. Local Health & Safety: Police recovered an unidentified man’s body along the New Providence shoreline; a post-mortem is planned to determine cause of death.