TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands – The British Virgin Islands has launched a comprehensive review of its mental health legislation and policy framework as part of efforts to modernize the territory’s mental healthcare system through a new Mental Health Act and updated Mental Health Policy.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbados is considering the introduction of a national colorectal cancer screening programme as part of efforts to improve early detection and reduce cancer-related deaths, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced.

BEIJING, China – Antigua and Barbuda has signed seven agreements with the Ministry of Health, and Hangzhou Normal University and its affiliated hospital as the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country takes a major step towards advancing its healthcare system.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says it will collaborate with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)  to expand early HIV diagnosis in Latin America and the Caribbean.

WASHINGTON, DC - A new report has found that despite progress in laws, policies and programmes aimed at advancing the rights of persons with disabilities across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), many continue to face barriers to accessing health services and emergency care on an equal basis.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) has renewed a partnership with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to strengthen regional cooperation in disaster management and public health resilience across the Caribbean.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Monday said it has signed an agreement with the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) that would renew their partnership to strengthen health security across the tourism sector, while reinforcing the sub region as a safer, more resilient and sustainable destination.

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands has confirmed one case of cyclosporiasis, but public health officials say the infection was acquired overseas and there is no evidence of local transmission.

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti - Haiti’s Public Health Minister, Bertrand Sinal, says any person travelling to the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda would need to spend at least 21 days in a third country not affected by Ebola before being allowed into the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

WASHINGTON, DC — Cuba was slapped with additional sanctions from the United States on Thursday, targeting  the island’s decades-old international medical missions programme, which sends doctors to dozens of countries and earns the island billions in revenue.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent - The St. Vincent and the Grenadines governments says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India underscoring both countries’ commitment to advancing public health through shared expertise and regulatory alignment.

CASTRIES,  St. Lucia - Health authorities in St. Lucia say they are concerned over reports that various medications are being offered through establishments and providers that are not licensed pharmacies.