AGP Executive Report

Ebola Preparedness: The Bahamas Health Ministry activated precautionary Ebola measures, advising people to avoid travel to Ebola-affected areas in the DRC, South Sudan and Uganda, with enhanced screening for anyone who has visited or transited through those countries. Cruise Port Safety: Five U.S. cruise passengers were arrested in Nassau after a brawl that escalated from the cruise port to the police station, where four officers were injured and police property was damaged. Food Security Support: Hands For Hunger received a $5,000 donation from CIBC Caribbean to help tackle food insecurity through empowerment and sustainable solutions. Public Health Milestone (TCI): Turks and Caicos became the first in the Americas validated for elimination of mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B and also certified for HIV elimination. Cancer & Care in the Community: Nassau’s Gennie Dean (GD) Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group plans a June 13 Hope Walk in memory of Anita Rolle, highlighting ongoing local support for cancer patients. Wound Healing Awareness: A local health feature marks Wound Healing Awareness Month, focusing on chronic wounds and when to seek medical care.

Ebola Preparedness: WHO says travel restrictions on Uganda over Ebola are unnecessary and counterproductive, while PAHO is stepping up Americas readiness (surveillance, lab testing, infection control) despite the risk in the region staying low. Public Health Milestone (TCI): Turks and Caicos became the first in the Americas to be validated for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B, and also received certification for eliminating HIV MTCT. Local Environment & Safety: Bahamas plans to intensify enforcement against derelict vehicles and illegal dumping, including acquiring land to relocate scrap operations and using spot fines. Cancer Support in Nassau: GD Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group is hosting its Hope Walk (June 13) in memory of Anita Rolle, aiming to boost awareness and survivorship support. Medical Research (Bahamas): Bahamian oncologist Dr. Colton Jones presented ASCO findings linking GLP-1 therapy with reduced risk of several aggressive cancers, highlighting regional research potential. Healthcare Tech (Caribbean): Adroit Infosystems showcased practical digital healthcare workflows for Caribbean clinics and hospitals at a Trinidad symposium, focusing on real EHR adoption and care continuity. Food Safety Case: A migraine patient’s worsening headaches were traced to neurocysticercosis, a brain infection from a pork tapeworm—an example of why persistent symptoms need thorough evaluation. Prison Security: Bahamas correctional services is acquiring equipment to stop contraband drone drops, with added focus on vulnerable prison walls.

Cancer Care & Community Support: Nassau’s GD Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group is gearing up for its “Celebrating Strength. Inspiring Hope” month, including a 5K Hope Walk on June 13 at Goodman’s Bay in memory of late Nassau Guardian employee Anita Rolle, highlighting how peer support and practical help can matter as much as treatment. Cancer Research Milestone: Bahamian oncologist Colton Jones made waves at ASCO with research linking GLP-1 therapy to a reduced risk of several aggressive cancers, putting The Bahamas on the global preventative oncology map. Public Health Progress (Regional): Turks and Caicos marked a major win by receiving validation for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B and certification for HIV, a reminder that strong systems can prevent lifelong disease. Wound Healing Awareness: A local health piece marks Wound Healing Awareness Month, explaining chronic wounds, why they stall, and when to seek specialist care. Ebola Preparedness (Regional): PAHO says it’s boosting Ebola readiness across the Americas, including the Caribbean, with stronger surveillance, lab support, and infection control as WHO flags the situation as a global emergency. Environment & Health Link: The Caribbean’s coral reefs—natural storm protection and marine habitat—are still being left unprotected in many high-impact areas, raising risks for coastal safety and livelihoods. Local Health & Safety: Police report a 61-year-old woman stabbed near Lake Cunningham and admitted to hospital with very serious injuries, while authorities also move to intensify enforcement against derelict vehicles and illegal dumping.

Cancer Support & Community Care: Nassau’s GD Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group is gearing up for its “Celebrating Strength. Inspiring Hope” events, including a 5K Hope Walk on June 13 in memory of late Nassau Guardian employee Anita Rolle. Local Research Spotlight: Bahamian cancer physician Colton Jones made waves at ASCO in Chicago, presenting work linking GLP-1 therapy with a reduced risk of several aggressive cancers—raising hopes for preventative oncology. Wound Healing Awareness: A June Wound Healing Awareness Month piece breaks down why chronic wounds can stall for months and what patients should ask about when healing isn’t progressing. Public Health Milestone (TCI): Turks and Caicos became the first in the Americas to be validated for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of Hepatitis B and also secured HIV elimination certification. Regional NCD Policy Push: PAHO/WHO and Caribbean partners met in Barbados to advance sodium reduction targets and eliminate industrially produced trans fats. Ebola Preparedness vs Travel Bans: WHO and PAHO urged countries to reconsider Ebola travel restrictions, saying they disrupt economies and don’t stop spread; PAHO is boosting Americas readiness despite low regional risk. Bahamas Safety & Health: Police are investigating a stabbing near Lake Cunningham that left a 61-year-old woman in serious condition.

Ebola Preparedness: PAHO says it’s ramping up support across the Americas, including the Caribbean, to strengthen surveillance, lab testing, and infection control after WHO declared a Public Health Emergency tied to Ebola in the DRC and Uganda. Travel Restrictions Debate: WHO’s Tedros calls Uganda’s Ebola travel restrictions “unnecessary and counterproductive,” while the DRC health minister says bans are “discriminatory” and not backed by science. Healthy Food Policy: Caribbean nutritionists and health leaders in Barbados pushed sodium reduction and policies to eliminate industrially produced trans fats, warning that ultra-processed foods are driving the region’s NCD crisis. Local Health Governance: A Bahamian op-ed argues for more transparency and competitive tendering in public hospital procurement, including pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Safety & Care Access: A Nassau stabbing left a 61-year-old woman in serious condition, as police investigate suspects. Water & Resilience: GWP-C officials met in Nassau to strengthen climate services, early warning systems, and water security planning across the Caribbean.

NCD Nutrition Policy: PAHO/WHO reports Caribbean nutritionists, NCD focal points and legal drafters met in Barbados to push sodium reduction targets and eliminate industrially produced trans fats, noting most sodium comes from processed foods and no country has fully met WHO “best buy” goals yet. Local Health System Watch: A Bahamas-focused piece raises concerns about public procurement for pharmaceuticals and medical/surgical supplies at the Public Hospitals Authority, pointing to long gaps since major open tenders and warning that supply shortages can hit patient care. Cancer Community: National Cancer Survivors Day highlights the growing global cancer survivor population and encourages support for survivors and caregivers. Violence & Safety: Nassau police are investigating a stabbing that sent a 61-year-old woman to the trauma unit with very serious injuries. Mental Health Care: Spring Lake Ranch Therapeutic Community in the U.S. adds psychiatrist Dr. Dustin Dippen to expand psychiatric services for adults with mental health challenges. Public Health & Travel: Bahamas’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a travel advisory for Cuba, citing ongoing power, food, transport and healthcare strain.

National Cancer Survivors Day: Bahamas readers are reminded today is National Cancer Survivors Day, a global moment to honour people living after cancer and to spotlight the daily challenges survivors and caregivers face. Public Safety & Violence: In Nassau, police are investigating a shooting on Constitution Drive (“Big Sunday”) that killed one man and left two others injured, adding to recent violence in the same area. Ebola Preparedness: Mauritius temporarily banned entry for travellers from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, while The Bahamas’ Ministry of Health says Ebola surveillance tied to a recent BA flight has ended with no virus detected among monitored passengers. Healthy Food Policy & NCDs: Caribbean health leaders are urging faster, evidence-based food policy action to tackle the region’s non-communicable disease crisis, citing the role of ultra-processed foods and rising obesity and diet-related illness. Alcohol Harm Reduction: A Doctors Hospital lifestyle medicine physician warns that heavy drinking during holiday events can quickly impair judgement, dehydrate the body, and raise serious risks like vomit-related choking. Climate & Water Resilience: Prime Minister Friday is pushing climate financing, including a water security initiative, to strengthen long-term resilience and development planning.

Ebola Watch (Bahamas): Public health monitoring tied to the BA253 Ebola scare has ended, with the two flagged passengers testing negative and contact-tracing surveillance concluding; screening and monitoring for incoming travellers continues. Ebola Watch (Region): Mauritius temporarily banned entry for travellers from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, while WHO chief Tedros urged countries to lift Ebola travel restrictions, saying they’re harming containment; the DRC health minister called the bans discriminatory and not science-based. NCD & Food Policy: Caribbean leaders and health experts pushed for faster, evidence-based healthy food policies to tackle the region’s non-communicable disease crisis, citing the rise of ultra-processed foods and the high cost of healthier diets. Alcohol Safety (Bahamas): Doctors Hospital warned that heavy drinking during holiday events can quickly impair judgement and coordination, worsen dehydration in the heat, and raise risks like vomit-related choking. Local Health (Bahamas): Nassau police are investigating a stabbing that left a 61-year-old woman with very serious injuries after she was attacked near Lake Cunningham. Public Health & Mobility: A Caribbean Development Bank discussion framed traffic congestion as a public health issue, linking long commutes to productivity loss and broader wellbeing impacts.

Alcohol & Heat Safety: A Doctors Hospital lifestyle medicine physician warned that heavy drinking during Labour Day events can quickly impair coordination and judgement, dehydrate you in hot weather, and raise the risk of vomit-related choking. Bahamas Violence & Trauma Care: Nassau police are investigating a June 4 stabbing near Lake Cunningham that left a 61-year-old woman with very serious injuries and admitted to the trauma unit. Ebola Monitoring in The Bahamas: Public health officials say precautionary surveillance for passengers on BA253 after an Ebola scare has ended with no Ebola cases detected; screening continues for incoming travellers. Ebola Travel Restrictions Debate: WHO and DRC officials are pushing back on travel bans tied to the Ebola outbreak, calling them harmful or discriminatory; Mauritius also announced entry limits and mandatory 21-day quarantine for travellers from affected countries. Healthy Food Policy for NCDs: Regional health groups urged faster, evidence-based food policies to tackle the Caribbean’s noncommunicable disease crisis, citing the role of ultra-processed foods and high costs of healthier diets. Pension & Health System Access: Bahamas public service leaders defended pension overhaul plans and NIB said the pension fund is “not in crisis,” amid concerns about long-term sustainability. Mobility & Cruise Safety Lawsuit: A cruise guest is suing Royal Caribbean after a fall tied to a mobility scooter left in a walkway, spotlighting onboard safety and accessibility risks.

Violence & Trauma Care: Police in Nassau are investigating a stabbing that left a 61-year-old woman hospitalised with very serious injuries after she was attacked by two men near Lake Cunningham. Ebola Monitoring: Bahamas public health officials say precautionary surveillance for passengers on BA253 after an Ebola scare has ended with no Ebola cases detected; screening continues for incoming travellers. Ebola Policy Clash: The DRC’s health minister and the WHO are both pushing back on travel restrictions tied to the Ebola outbreak, arguing they’re discriminatory and harmful to response efforts. NCD Nutrition Push: Caribbean leaders and public health experts are calling for faster, evidence-based healthy food policies to tackle the region’s non-communicable disease crisis. Local Health Infrastructure: Government has earmarked $51.5m for new capital works, including construction of several Family Island clinics and upgrades to health centres. Public Health & Alcohol Safety: Doctors Hospital is warning residents about the short-term dangers of excessive alcohol during holiday events, including dehydration and risky behaviour.

Ebola Preparedness: PAHO says Ebola risk to the Americas is low but is ramping up readiness across the region—surveillance, lab testing, infection control, and coordination—to catch any imported cases fast. Local Health Alert: Bahamas public health officials report surveillance tied to the BA253 Ebola scare has ended with no virus detected; screening and monitoring for incoming travellers continues. Healthy Food Push: Caribbean leaders and health experts are calling for faster, evidence-based healthy food policies to tackle the region’s non-communicable disease crisis, citing the rise of ultra-processed foods and the high cost of healthier diets. Bahamas Health Infrastructure: Government allocates $51.5m for new capital works, including multiple Family Island clinic projects and upgrades tied to healthcare access. Alcohol Safety: Doctors Hospital warns Labour Day weekend drinkers about short-term harms like poor judgement, dehydration, and vomit-related choking risks—especially in hot outdoor conditions. Cannabis Banking Barrier: Clearing Banks Association warns cannabis businesses may struggle to access banking due to US correspondent bank restrictions.

Ebola Watch (Bahamas): Public health surveillance tied to the BA253 flight grounded in Nassau over an Ebola scare has ended, with the two flagged passengers testing negative and contact-tracing monitoring concluded. Ebola Preparedness (Region): PAHO says it’s ramping up preparedness across the Americas—surveillance, lab testing, infection control, and coordination—after WHO declared the DRC Ebola outbreak a public health emergency; risk to the region is still considered low. Healthy Food Policy (Caribbean): A regional webinar reviewed slow progress on NCD prevention and healthy food policy, noting only a few countries are on track for 2025 targets and calling for faster action amid trade, food insecurity, and climate pressure. Local Health Infrastructure (Bahamas): Government has earmarked $51.5m for new capital works, including multiple Family Island clinic builds and upgrades, plus funding for New Providence Hospital project management. Alcohol Safety (Bahamas): Doctors Hospital warns that excessive drinking during holiday events can quickly impair judgment and coordination, worsen dehydration in the heat, and raise the risk of dangerous vomiting-related complications. Food Security (Community): RBC staff joined a community garden harvest with ADO, supporting fresh-produce access to improve health and well-being.

Alcohol & Heat Safety: Doctors Hospital’s lifestyle medicine physician warns that excessive drinking during Labour Day events can quickly impair judgement and coordination, dehydrate you in the heat, and in severe cases lead to vomit-related choking risks. Ebola Monitoring Update: Bahamas public health officials say precautionary surveillance for passengers linked to BA253 ended with no Ebola cases; two passengers tested negative and screening continues for incoming travellers from affected areas. Public Sector Pensions: Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle defended the government’s pension overhaul, saying the process is for feedback and negotiation, while NIB director Dr. Tami Francis insisted the pension fund “is actually not in crisis.” Healthcare Capital Push: Government allocated $51.5m to kick off new capital works, including multiple Family Island clinic projects and upgrades tied to health infrastructure. Court Orders Treatment: A Supreme Court judge ordered interim release of a paralyzed inmate so he can get proper medical treatment, citing serious risks from inadequate prison care. Food Access & Wellness: RBC staff joined a community garden harvest with ADO, supporting local produce efforts aimed at improving health and food security.

Ebola watch in The Bahamas: Public health officials say precautionary surveillance of passengers on BA253 after an Ebola scare has ended with no Ebola cases; two passengers tested negative and contact-tracing monitoring is concluded, while screening continues for travellers from affected areas. Budget push for health access: Government earmarks $51.5m to kick off new capital works, including multiple Family Island clinic builds and hospital support, with several clinics slated for completion within the 2026/27 budget year. Medicinal cannabis rollout: The Bahamas Cannabis Authority says medicinal cannabis licensing and tracking systems are set to go live within weeks (aiming for before end of June), alongside a major public education campaign ahead of applications. Care beyond the clinic: Local reporting highlights growing interest in home-based healthcare for chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, aiming to reduce hospital strain and improve ongoing monitoring. Legal health protections: A Supreme Court judge ordered interim release of a paralyzed inmate so he can get “proper medical treatment,” citing inadequate prison access to physiotherapy and risks from his condition. Food security and wellbeing: RBC staff joined a community garden harvest with ADO, supporting fresh produce access and better health outcomes through local farming partnerships.

Ebola Watch: Opposition whip Marvin Gonzales is pressing the Government to spell out its Ebola protection plan as the Bundibugyo strain spreads in eastern DR Congo and more countries tighten travel screening and bans. Medicinal Cannabis Rollout: The Bahamas Cannabis Authority says medicinal cannabis licensing and its public education push are expected to begin before the end of June, after signing a deal with Metrc for tracking. Home-Based Care: A local nurse highlights how home healthcare could support people with diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and chronic respiratory illness—reducing hospital strain with regular visits and monitoring. Diabetes Foot Safety: A reminder that puncture wounds in diabetics are medical emergencies because nerve damage and poor circulation can delay care and lead to serious infections. UTI Awareness: Doctors are urging people to take recurrent UTIs seriously, noting that repeated infections can sometimes be linked to bladder cancer. Shark Conservation: New Bahamas-focused research suggests Caribbean reef sharks prefer prey-dense reef areas, pushing conservation to consider protecting prey habitats too. Local Health Recognition: Endocrinologist Dr. Kristine Parker-Curling received a 2026 Excellence in Humanities Award for patient-centered care and her work on human connection in medicine.

Ebola preparedness push: Opposition whip Marvin Gonzales is urging the Government to clearly outline a plan to protect residents from a possible Ebola outbreak as more countries introduce screening and travel restrictions tied to the DRC. Medicinal cannabis rollout: The Bahamas Cannabis Authority says medicinal cannabis licensing and its public application process are expected to launch before the end of June, after finalising a tracking agreement and planning an education campaign. Diabetes foot safety: A medical explainer warns that puncture wounds in people with diabetes are emergencies because nerve damage and poor circulation can delay care and lead to serious infections. UTIs and cancer link: Another health column notes that recurrent UTIs shouldn’t always be treated as “just” bladder irritation, since repeated cases can sometimes be linked to bladder cancer—prompt evaluation matters. Home-based care: A nurse-led feature highlights how home healthcare can support people with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, potentially reducing pressure on clinics and hospitals. Shark conservation insight: New Bahamas-focused research suggests Caribbean reef sharks prefer prey-dense reef spots, pointing conservation efforts toward protecting prey availability—not only sharks. Local health systems & access: A story on bringing healthcare beyond the clinic and another on making care more accessible spotlight gaps families face and how mobile or home services can help. Medicinal cannabis & wellness: The rollout and wellness-focused pieces together signal a growing push toward practical health access in the islands.