AGP Executive Report

Child Protection Policy: OECS, with UNICEF support, has unveiled a Regional Child Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2032, aiming for a whole-of-the-child approach so every child is protected and empowered by 2032. Public Safety: A vehicle overturned near the Coast Guard Base in Fond Cole; the driver was taken to China Friendship Hospital. Youth & Health: Dominica’s I Have A Right Foundation wrapped up its Girlhood Summer Leadership Bootcamp, building skills in wellbeing, relationships, mental wellness, and sexual and reproductive health. Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with calls for stronger community-based support. Tragedy & Protection: Minister Dr. Cassandra Williams mourned the death of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul of Portsmouth and urged greater parental responsibility to protect girls and young women. Agriculture & Nutrition: The Mini Seasoning Pepper Programme is showing early results, with a Giraudel farmer harvesting over 250 pounds of seasoning pepper. Wellness Tourism: Dominica is being highlighted for nature-based wellness experiences, including mud rituals and botanicals at the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa.

Regional Child Protection: OECS Commission, with UNICEF support, has unveiled the OECS Regional Child Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2032, built on a whole-of-the-child approach shaped by input from children, parents and stakeholders, aiming for every child to be valued, safe, supported and empowered by 2032. Child Safety & Accountability: Minister of State Dr. Cassandra Williams mourned the death of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul of Portsmouth, calling for stronger parental responsibility and renewed focus on protecting girls and young women. Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with concerns about limited specialist staffing and rising distress among young people. Road Safety Tragedy: A vehicle accident near the Coast Guard Base in Fond Cole left a driver taken to China Friendship Hospital, while another fatal crash near Canefield Airport claimed the life of Joseph Wayland. Agriculture & Nutrition: The Ministry highlighted early success of its Mini Seasoning Pepper Programme, with Giraudel farmer Clint Pemberton harvesting over 250 pounds of seasoning pepper. Wellness Tourism: Dominica’s wellness positioning continues to draw attention, including nature-linked spa and mud-ritual experiences at InterContinental Dominica Cabrits. CBI Scrutiny: New calls for inquiry into Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment programme continue, with concerns raised about illegal discounting and declining revenue. Youth & Skills: I Have A Right Foundation’s Girlhood Summer Leadership Bootcamp equipped Dominican girls with wellbeing, leadership, advocacy and life skills. Adolescent Health Across the Region: The REACH Project marked International Youth Day by expanding adolescent health support through webinars and parent-teen communication sessions.

Child Protection & Community Safety: Minister of State Dr. Cassandra Williams mourned the death of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul of Portsmouth, saying police have charged a suspect with murder and urging parents and guardians to take stronger responsibility for protecting children. Regional Child Policy: The OECS, with UNICEF support, unveiled a Regional Child Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2032, built on a whole-of-the-child approach and designed to translate into real action across health, education, justice, protection and social support. Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with calls for expanded community-based emotional support as specialist staffing remains limited. Wellness & Tourism (Health Angle): Dominica is being promoted as a wellness destination, with visitors encouraged to explore nature-based healing experiences tied to local botanicals and rainforest settings. Agriculture & Nutrition: The Ministry highlighted early results from its Mini Seasoning Pepper Programme, with a Giraudel farmer harvesting over 250 pounds to support food and nutrition security. Public Health Infrastructure (Local): Opposition leader Jesma Paul-Victor renewed calls to modernize and expand the Salisbury Health Centre, including maternal and child services, accessible design, and community wellness and mental health support. Citizenship-by-Investment Scrutiny: New claims and debate continue around CBI—ranging from concerns about declining revenue to allegations of illegal discounting—amid wider questions about how health and other services are funded.

Child Safety & Accountability: Minister of State Dr. Cassandra Williams mourned the death of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul of Portsmouth, saying parents and guardians must take responsibility for protecting children; police have charged an officer with murder. Medicinal Cannabis Training: St. Kitts and Nevis opened registration for a Traditional Cultivator Programme orientation (Aug 20–22, EC$200) to prepare residents for the regulated medicinal cannabis sector. Regional Child Protection: OECS and UNICEF unveiled a Regional Child Policy and Strategic Plan 2026–2032, using a “whole-of-the-child” approach aimed at making children safer, heard, and supported across health, education, justice, and social protection. Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with calls for stronger community-based support as specialist staffing remains limited. Food & Nutrition Security: The Ministry highlighted early results from its Mini Seasoning Pepper Programme, with one Giraudel farmer harvesting over 250 pounds of seasoning pepper after receiving seedlings and fertilizer support. Public Health Policy Watch: Barbados reports agricultural authorities are considering tighter controls or a possible ban on paraquat, citing growing international health concerns. Youth Empowerment: IHARF completed its 2026 Girlhood Summer Leadership Bootcamp, training adolescent girls on wellbeing, relationships, sexual and reproductive health, leadership, and life skills. Waste & Community Health: Opposition leader Jesma Paul-Victor urged more resources for Salisbury’s garbage collection, warning that delays can worsen public health and environmental conditions. Tourism & Wellness Push: Discover Dominica Authority is promoting Dominica’s wellness and nature experiences in a Trinidad destination sales mission (Aug 12–18), ahead of new regional flight links. CBI Scrutiny: New calls for inquiry into Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment programme continue amid allegations of illegal discounting and concerns over declining CBI revenue.

Search & Rescue: A multinational rescue operation safely recovered Dominica citizen Peter Baron, 58, after his overdue sailing catamaran suffered a steering casualty near Sint Maarten. Child Protection: OECS and UNICEF unveiled a regional child policy and strategic plan (2026–2032) built on a “whole-of-the-child” approach, aiming for safer, fairer outcomes across health, education, justice and social support. Gender-Based Violence & Safety: Minister of State Dr. Cassandra Williams issued a statement after the police identified the body of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul, urging stronger protection for girls and condemning abuse and exploitation. Adolescent Health: The REACH Project launched a webinar series for youth and caregivers across the region, covering mental health, nutrition, healthy relationships and parent-teen communication. Mental Health Pressure: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit (May 2023–May 2024), with calls for more community-based support. Food & Nutrition Security: The Ministry of Agriculture reported early success in its Mini Seasoning Pepper Programme, with a Giraudel farmer harvesting over 250 pounds. Community Services: Opposition leader Jesma Paul-Victor renewed calls to modernize Salisbury’s health centre and expand services, including prevention and chronic disease management. Tourism & Wellness: Dominica’s wellness tourism push continues, with visitors highlighting nature-based healing rituals and resort mud/plant-based therapies.

Child Safety & Grief: Social Services Minister of State Dr. Cassandra Williams mourned the tragic death of 16-year-old Jerbiah Paul and used the case to renew calls to protect girls and young women from sexual abuse and exploitation. Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with limited specialist staffing and calls for stronger community-based support. Adolescent Health Support: The REACH Project launched a new webinar series for International Youth Day, covering mental health, nutrition, teen brain topics, parent-teen communication, and stigma reduction across Dominica and other OECS states. Community Health Infrastructure: Opposition leader Jesma Paul-Victor urged modernization and expansion of the Salisbury Health Centre into a climate-resilient wellness hub with maternal/child services, counselling, and chronic disease support. Food & Nutrition Security: The Ministry of Agriculture reported early success in its Mini Seasoning Pepper Programme, with Giraudel farmer Clint Pemberton harvesting over 250 pounds of pepper. Tourism & Wellness Positioning: Discover Dominica Authority heads to Trinidad for its annual destination sales mission, highlighting nature, adventure, wellness, and local experiences. CBI Programme Debate: New calls for scrutiny of Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment model continued, alongside political warnings about declining CBI revenue and the EU’s push to end golden passports by 2028. Policy Update: Dominica plans to introduce citizenship through a grandparent starting 1 January 2027 as part of a population renewal and global engagement programme.

Tourism & Wellness Push: Discover Dominica Authority is taking “Summer the Nature Island Way” to Trinidad (Aug 12–18) with eight curated itineraries aimed at getting visitors off the usual trail and supporting local service providers, with mall activations in West Mall (Aug 13), East Gates Mall (Aug 14) and C3 Centre (Aug 15). Food & Nutrition Security: The Ministry of Agriculture reports early wins from its Mini Seasoning Pepper Programme, with Giraudel farmer Clint Pemberton harvesting over 250 pounds after receiving seedlings and fertilizer support to boost domestic supply. Adolescent Health Support: The REACH Project launched a webinar series for International Youth Day, covering mental health, nutrition, reproductive health, healthy relationships and parent-teen communication for Dominica and other OECS states. Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with calls for stronger community-based emotional support as specialist staffing remains limited. Public Services & Waste: Opposition leader Jesma Paul-Victor renewed concerns about inconsistent garbage collection in Salisbury, warning that delays can drive rodent and insect problems and harm public health. Population & Health Workforce Planning: Government announced a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme, including citizenship through a Dominican grandparent starting Jan 1, 2027, to help rebuild the resident population and close skills gaps. CBI Under Pressure: New controversy continues around Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment programme, with EU deadlines looming and local leaders warning that declining or discounted CBI revenue could affect health and other essential services.

Adolescent Health & Education: The REACH Project marked International Youth Day with a new webinar series for Dominica and other OECS states, covering reproductive health, mental health, nutrition, healthy relationships, and parent-teen communication to help young people make informed choices. Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with limited specialist staffing and calls for stronger community-based emotional support. Community Wellness & Primary Care: Opposition leader Jesma Paul-Victor urged a modern, climate-resilient upgrade of the Salisbury Health Centre, including prevention services, chronic disease management, maternal and child health, counselling, and accessible facilities. Waste & Public Health: Paul-Victor also highlighted inconsistent garbage collection in Salisbury, warning that delayed pickups can worsen rodent and insect problems and create environmental health risks. Citizenship Policy & Population Growth: Government announced a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme, including citizenship through a Dominican grandparent starting 1 January 2027, aimed at growing the resident population to 100,000 by 2040. CBI Scrutiny: A developer is calling for a formal inquiry into Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment programme, alleging widespread illegal discounting and revenue losses, while the EU warns several Caribbean CBI states they must reform or phase out by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Regional Health Systems Support: PAHO/WHO backed Dominica’s immunization programme with updated EPI manuals to strengthen safe, effective vaccination services.

Adolescent Health Push: The REACH Project marked International Youth Day (12 August) with a new webinar series across Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, covering reproductive health, mental health, nutrition, healthy relationships and parent-teen communication to create safer spaces for open dialogue. Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with limited specialist staffing and calls for more community-based support. Primary Care Upgrade Call: Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor urged modernization and expansion of the Salisbury Health Centre into a climate-resilient community wellness hub, including maternal and child health, chronic disease management, counselling and accessible services. NCD Warning: President Sylvanie Burton flagged rising non-communicable diseases, citing over 1,100 hypertension diagnoses (2020–2025) plus diabetes and cancer cases, and stressed prevention as a whole-society job. Waste & Public Health: Paul-Victor also raised ongoing garbage collection problems in Salisbury, warning that delays can worsen environmental and public health risks. CBI Under Scrutiny: A call for a commission of inquiry into Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment programme grew amid allegations of widespread illegal discounting, while the EU’s push to phase out CBI schemes by 2028 threatens Schengen visa-free access. Population Plan: Government announced citizenship through a Dominican grandparent starting 1 January 2027, tied to a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme aimed at reaching 100,000 residents by 2040.

Tourism & Wellness Push: The Discover Dominica Authority will head to Trinidad from Aug 12–18 for its annual destination sales mission, with mall activations and B2B meetings, and it’s also spotlighting the Oct 23–25 World Creole Music Festival and Feb 8–9, 2027 Carnival—plus the new Oct 5 direct flights with Contour Airlines. Indigenous Health & Culture: Minister for Kalinago Upliftment Cozier Frederick marked International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (Aug 9) with a focus on “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being,” highlighting Kalinago midwives’ role in homes, community centres and hospitals. Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with calls for more community-based emotional support as specialist staffing remains limited. NCD Alarm: President Sylvanie Burton warned Parliament that Dominica is seeing rising non-communicable disease burdens, including over 1,100 hypertension cases (2020–2025), alongside diabetes and cancer. Adolescent Support: The REACH project launched a webinar series on adolescent health, starting Aug 11 with “Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health.” Community Health Infrastructure: Opposition leader Jesma Paul-Victor urged modernization of the Salisbury Health Centre, including prevention-focused services, maternal and child health, counselling, and disability-friendly access. CBI Under Scrutiny: A call for an inquiry into Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment programme is growing, as opposition leaders flag declining CBI revenue and critics allege illegal discounting.

Indigenous Peoples Day & Kalinago midwives: Minister for Kalinago Upliftment Cozier Frederick marked UN International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, spotlighting Kalinago resilience and the theme “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being,” praising traditional knowledge carried from homes to community centres and hospitals. Sanitation & public health: Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor urged more investment in Salisbury’s garbage collection, warning that inconsistent truck capacity leaves waste on roadsides, attracting insects and rodents and raising health risks. Adolescent health support: The REACH project launched a new webinar series for young people and caregivers across Dominica and the wider Eastern Caribbean, covering mental health, nutrition, stigma reduction, and parent-teen communication. Mental health demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with limited specialist staffing and calls for expanded community-based support. NCD pressure: President Sylvanie Burton flagged rising non-communicable disease burdens, including 1,100+ hypertension diagnoses (2020–2025), and urged prevention across families, schools, workplaces and communities. CBI scrutiny heats up: Businessman Gregor Nassief called for a commission of inquiry into Dominica’s Citizenship-by-Investment programme over alleged illegal discounting, while Paul-Victor warned declining CBI revenue could affect major public projects. Population renewal plan: Government announced citizenship through a Dominican grandparent starting 1 January 2027, alongside a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme aimed at reaching 100,000 residents by 2040.

Mental Health Demand: Dominica recorded 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, with calls for stronger community-based support as specialist staffing remains limited. Non-Communicable Diseases: President Sylvanie Burton flagged rising NCD pressure, citing more than 1,100 hypertension cases diagnosed from 2020–2025, alongside diabetes, cancer and obesity—urging prevention across families, schools and workplaces. Primary Care Upgrade: Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor wants a modern, climate-resilient Salisbury Health Centre with expanded services, accessible design, counselling and community mental health support. CBI Funding Pressure: Paul-Victor warned that declining Citizenship by Investment revenue could disrupt projects, citing a drop from about $605m to a budgeted $514.9m, with further decline projected. Population Plan: Government says citizenship through a Dominican grandparent will begin 1 Jan 2027 under a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme aimed at reaching 100,000 residents by 2040. Budget Tax Relief: Finance Minister Irving McIntyre announced a 10% flat personal income tax rate starting 1 Jan 2027, replacing the current three-tier system. Immunisation Support: PAHO/WHO helped update Dominica’s Expanded Programme on Immunization materials, strengthening primary care delivery with revised EPI manuals. Adolescent Health: The REACH project launched a webinar series on adolescent health, starting 11 Aug with a session on breaking the stigma around mental health. Local Health & Safety: A fatal Canefield highway crash claimed the life of Joseph Wayland after a minibus overturned near Canefield Airport; police continue investigations.

Mental Health Watch: Dominica logged 398 acute psychiatric admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit between May 2023 and May 2024, as local experts point to limited specialist staffing and rising distress, including concerns around self-harm and suicide attempts. Road Safety & Care: A 50-year-old man from Fond Cole, Joseph Wayland, died after a crash on the E.O. Leblanc Highway near Canefield Airport; police say he was trapped beneath an overturned minibus and later pronounced dead at Dominica China Friendship Hospital. Community Health Services: Opposition MP Jesma Paul-Victor renewed calls to modernize and expand the Salisbury Health Centre into a climate-resilient, prevention-focused wellness hub with better rooms, maternal and child services, counselling, and support for chronic conditions. Immunization Strengthening: PAHO/WHO supported Dominica with updated Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) manuals to help healthcare workers deliver safer, higher-quality immunization services. NCD Pressure: President Sylvanie Burton highlighted ongoing non-communicable disease burdens, including hypertension, diabetes, cancer and obesity, urging prevention to become a national priority. Policy & Access: The EU warned five Caribbean countries, including Dominica, to phase out citizenship-by-investment schemes by 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access. Local Governance: Roseau North voters will elect a new representative on September 7, 2026, with nominations set for August 21 following Miriam Blanchard’s resignation.

Non-Communicable Diseases Push: President Sylvanie Burton warned that Dominica’s NCD burden is still rising, citing 1,100+ hypertension diagnoses (2020–2025) plus hundreds of new diabetes and cancer cases, and urged prevention through healthier living, routine check-ups, and shared action beyond the health sector. Primary Care Upgrade: Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor called for a modern, climate-resilient Salisbury Health Centre with stronger prevention, early diagnosis, chronic disease management, maternal/child services, accessible design, backup power, and added mental health and counselling support. Immunization Support: PAHO/WHO backed Dominica’s immunization system by providing updated Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) manuals to strengthen safe, effective vaccine delivery in primary and institutional settings. Adolescent Health Online: The REACH project launched a regional webinar series on adolescent health, covering mental health, nutrition, stigma reduction, and parent-teen communication, starting Aug. 11. Waste & Health Risk: A Bellevue Chopin resident appealed for urgent removal of months-old household garbage, saying delays are attracting rats and creating health and safety concerns. Regional Policy Pressure: The EU warned five Caribbean states, including Dominica, to phase out citizenship-by-investment schemes by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access.

Gender & Culture Commentary: A new opinion piece challenges the “man up” phrase as a harmful double standard in gender relations, arguing it unfairly frames courage and emotional control as “masculine” traits. Salisbury Health Centre Upgrade: Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor renewed calls to modernize and expand the Salisbury Health Centre into a climate-resilient community wellness hub with stronger primary care, maternal/child services, disability access, mental health support, and chronic disease screening. Adolescent Health Education: The REACH project launched a webinar series on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, mental health, nutrition, stigma reduction, and parent-teen communication across Dominica and the wider Eastern Caribbean. NCD Alarm: President Sylvanie Burton cited rising non-communicable disease burdens, including 1,100+ hypertension diagnoses (2020–2025), urging prevention as a national priority beyond the health sector. Immunization Support: PAHO/WHO helped Dominica strengthen immunization services by providing updated Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) manuals for healthcare workers. Waste & Health Risk: A Bellevue Chopin resident appealed for urgent removal of months-old household garbage, warning of rat attraction and safety concerns. Population Policy: Government announced a National Population Renewal and Global Dominican Engagement Programme aimed at growing Dominica’s population to 100,000 by 2040, including pathways to return for skilled Dominicans abroad.

Primary Care Upgrade: Opposition Leader Jesma Paul-Victor is urging Dominica to modernize and expand the Salisbury Health Centre into a climate-resilient community wellness hub, with better rooms, maternal/child services, pharmaceutical storage, disability access, confidential counselling, and expanded screening for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obesity. Adolescent Health Education: The REACH project launched a new webinar series on adolescent health across Dominica and the region, covering mental health, nutrition, parent-teen communication, and stigma reduction, with interactive Q&As for youth and caregivers. NCD Alarm: President Sylvanie Burton highlighted rising non-communicable disease burdens, citing over 1,100 hypertension diagnoses from 2020–2025 plus hundreds of diabetes and cancer cases, and called for prevention to become a national priority involving families, schools, workplaces, and communities. Immunization Support: PAHO/WHO helped Dominica strengthen its Expanded Programme on Immunization by providing updated EPI manuals and technical support to improve safe, effective vaccination delivery. Waste & Health Risks: A Bellevue Chopin resident says months of uncollected household garbage have attracted rats, raising health and safety concerns and pointing to wider sanitation follow-up problems. Budget Pressure Points: As Dominica prepares for the 2026/2027 budget, Paul-Victor stressed that relief must address the cost of living at supermarkets, pharmacies, rent, utilities, and healthcare—not just headline projects.