AGP Executive Report

Waste & Public Health: Bellevue Chopin resident Frances Harvey says a months-long pile of bagged household garbage on her property is still uncollected despite repeated requests and a promised paid special pickup—now attracting rats and raising health and safety concerns for her family and neighbours. NCDs & Prevention: President Sylvanie Burton told Parliament that Dominica recorded over 1,100 hypertension diagnoses from 2020–2025, alongside more than 600 new diabetes cases and nearly 600 cancer cases, urging prevention as a national priority and calling for families, schools, workplaces and communities to help. Budget & Health Funding: In the 2026/2027 budget, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services received EC$75.4 million (11.2% of recurrent spending) for medicines, healthcare worker employment, and hospital operations. Tax & Household Impact: Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre announced a major personal income tax shift: a 10% flat rate from Jan 1, 2027, replacing the 15/25/35 tiers, with no personal income tax for earners up to EC$30,000. Regional Cooperation: Burton also pushed for stronger CARICOM/OECS-led collaboration on climate change, health security, food security, disaster preparedness and free movement. CBI Pressure: The EU urged five Eastern Caribbean states, including Dominica, to phase out citizenship-by-investment programmes by June 1, 2028 or risk losing Schengen visa-free access.

NCD Alert: President Sylvanie Burton told Parliament that Dominica recorded more than 1,100 hypertension diagnoses from 2020–2025, alongside over 600 new diabetes cases and nearly 600 cancer cases, urging prevention as a national priority and calling on families, schools, workplaces and communities to help tackle diabetes, heart disease, obesity and related illness. EU Visa Pressure on CBI: The EU has warned five Eastern Caribbean countries—including Dominica—that Citizenship-by-Investment programmes must be phased out by June 1, 2028 or risk losing visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area, citing its revised Visa Suspension Mechanism. Budget & Tax Shift: Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre unveiled a 2026/27 budget of about EC$1.125B and a major personal income tax change: a 10% flat rate starting Jan 1, 2027 (with no tax for incomes up to EC$30,000). Health System Capacity: A regional PAHO/WHO workshop in Barbados strengthened Eastern Caribbean laboratory molecular diagnostic skills for emerging infections using standardized protocols and a One Health approach. Youth & Skills: MAANZ launched its annual Studentpreneur youth showcase and marketplace to build entrepreneurial skills and networks for young Dominicans. Sports & Community: Roseau North by-election discussions highlighted competing plans, including proposals tied to public health concerns like landfill and garbage management. US Visa Bond Mandate: Dominica is among CARICOM nations facing a permanent, mandatory US tourist visa bond requirement of up to $20,000, drawing accusations of bullying from regional leaders.

Non-Communicable Diseases Call: President Sylvanie Burton urged a united national push against diabetes, hypertension, cancer and obesity, stressing prevention must involve families, schools, workplaces and faith groups—not just the health sector. Budget & Health Funding: Finance Minister Irving McIntyre unveiled a 2026/27 budget featuring a major 10% flat personal income tax from Jan 1, 2027, while also outlining recurrent allocations that include EC$76.9m for education and EC$75.4m for the Ministry of Health to support medicines, healthcare workers and hospital operations. Regional Lab Preparedness: PAHO/WHO and CARPHA helped Eastern Caribbean lab professionals strengthen molecular diagnostics for threats like measles, leptospirosis and hantavirus using a One Health approach. Youth & Skills: MAANZ launched its Studentpreneur Youth Showcase and Marketplace to build entrepreneurial skills and networks for young people. Health Leadership Spotlight: Dominican-born Dr. Evette Sébastien Roberts earned a Professional Doctorate in Risk Management in Childbirth, with plans to strengthen healthcare oversight back home. Deep-Dive Physiology: A new video explains how oxygen and carbon dioxide shift in elite freedivers at 20–80m, highlighting major pressure-related changes around 40m—useful for understanding extreme-sport safety. CBI Under Pressure: Government defended Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment programme amid international scrutiny, while warning the economy can’t rely on CBI alone.

Budget & Health Funding: Dominica is set to present its 2026/27 national budget, with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services receiving EC$75.4 million (11.2% of recurrent spending) to keep medicines flowing, support healthcare workers, and run hospitals and medical facilities. Tax Relief & Household Impact: Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre announced a major shift to a 10% flat personal income tax rate from Jan. 1, 2027, replacing the current 15%/25%/35% tiers, while those earning EC$30,000 or less stay tax-free. CBI Under Pressure: The government defended its Citizenship by Investment programme in Parliament, saying CBI has helped fund housing, healthcare, schools, roads and climate-resilient infrastructure—especially after Hurricane Maria—while acknowledging growing international scrutiny and the need to diversify beyond CBI. Food & Nutrition Angle: A “healthy tax” debate is gaining traction in the region, with calls to tax foods high in fat, sugar and salt and push clearer nutrition labelling—an issue that links directly to long-term public health. Health & Environment Projects: Conservation grant recipients received extra training to strengthen project management and environmental safeguards for work including coral reef restoration and rapid response to lethal yellowing disease.

Dominica Budget 2026/27: The government is set to table the 2026-2027 national budget today, with a reported EC$1.119B plan and cost-of-living relief measures expected to continue. Health Funding: In the recurrent budget, the Ministry of Health and Social Services gets EC$75.4M (11.2%), aimed at medicine procurement, keeping healthcare workers employed, and running hospitals and medical facilities. Education Support: The Ministry of Education receives EC$76.9M for teacher salaries, school operations, student transport, uniforms, and school feeding. Public Health & Justice: A High Court ruling expands legal abortion grounds to rape, incest, severe foetal anomaly, and when pregnancy threatens a woman’s life or health, with government given six months to update laws and procedures. Regional Travel Pressure: CARICOM officials say the US is “bullying” the region after visa bond requirements were applied to Dominica and other Caribbean states. Youth Skills: MAANZ launched its annual Studentpreneur youth showcase and marketplace to build entrepreneurial skills and networks.

Abortion & Women’s Health: Dominica’s High Court has expanded legal grounds for abortion beyond the single “life of the woman” exception, covering rape, incest, severe foetal anomaly, and threats to a woman’s life or health—now giving Government six months to update laws and procedures, with hospitals and clinics expected to replace criminal-style processes with care-focused practice. US–CARICOM Tensions: Top Caribbean officials say the US is “bullying” the region after new US visa rules require certain CARICOM nations, including Dominica, to post a bond when applying for limited tourist visas. Youth Skills & Entrepreneurship: MAANZ launched its annual Studentpreneur Youth Showcase and Marketplace to help young people build business skills, network, and grow an ongoing entrepreneurship movement. Local Health & Environment: DNCTF reports conservation grant recipients received extra training to strengthen project management, donor reporting, and environmental safeguards for biodiversity and coral reef restoration work. CARICOM Resilience Agenda: CARICOM leaders are pushing system-strengthening across food and energy security, transportation, healthcare, and AI as climate shocks and global disruptions continue. Roseau North By-election (Health angle): Candidates at a Dominica Business Forum debate raised health-linked priorities like hazardous landfill relocation and improved garbage collection to reduce flies, mosquitoes, and rats.

US–CARICOM tensions: Antiguan PM Gaston Browne and former Jamaican PM Bruce Golding accuse the US of bullying CARICOM states, after new US tourist visa rules require some Caribbean nationals (including Dominica) to post a bond of up to US$20,000. Youth & skills: Dominican entrepreneur Marilyn A. Cuffy-Morris launched the MAANZ Studentpreneur Youth Showcase and Marketplace, aimed at building youth business skills, networking, and practical learning. Health systems & conservation: DNCTF grant recipients received extra training on donor reporting and environmental safeguards to support biodiversity work, including coral reef restoration and a lethal yellowing disease response. Abortion access in Dominica: The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional the criminalisation of abortion in specific cases—rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and when the woman’s life or health is at risk—pushing hospitals and clinics to update procedures. Regional health security for tourism: CARPHA and the OECS renewed their partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across OECS states through 2030. CARICOM resilience focus: CARICOM leaders say they’re building systems they can control—food and energy security, transport, healthcare, and AI—to better withstand shocks beyond their control.

Abortion Rights in Dominica: The Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court struck down criminalisation of abortion in specific cases—rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and when a woman’s life or health is at risk—pushing care from punishment toward healthcare, with government now tasked to update laws and procedures. Women’s Health Advocacy: The Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation welcomed the ruling as a major step for dignity and access, while stressing more work remains to protect women and girls, especially those with limited resources. Health Security for Tourism: CARPHA and the OECS renewed their partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across OECS member states through CARPHA’s Tourism and Health Program, running to December 2030. Conservation Capacity Building: DNCTF grant recipients received extra training to improve project management, donor reporting, and environmental safeguards for biodiversity work, including coral reef restoration and a rapid response to lethal yellowing disease. Roseau North By-election (Civility & Health Priorities): The Dominica Business Forum praised a respectful candidate discussion, while candidates focused on local issues like hazardous landfill relocation and garbage management—linking sanitation to public health. Regional Citizenship-by-Investment Pressure: EU letters urge Dominica and four other Eastern Caribbean CBI states to phase out programs by June 1, 2028, warning of potential loss of Schengen visa-free access.

Abortion Rights Update: Dominica’s High Court ruling (July 23) removes criminal penalties for abortion in cases of rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s life or health—welcomed by the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation as a major step for women’s health and dignity. Health Security for Tourism: CARPHA and the OECS renewed their partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across OECS member states through CARPHA’s Tourism and Health Program, running to December 2030. Conservation Capacity Building: DNCTF grant recipients received training to improve project management, donor reporting, and environmental safeguards for biodiversity work, including coral reef restoration and a rapid response to lethal yellowing disease. Community Wellness: Roots Herbal’s “Exchange and Engage” event encouraged Dominicans to use local medicinal plants, cane juice, and fresh foods as a practical way to help reduce non-communicable disease risk. Youth Skills & Health Learning: A Dominica author launched two skills development books for children and youth, including health and safety awareness, aiming to build practical life skills early. Local Governance & Public Health: Roseau North by-election candidates used a Dominica Business Forum discussion to highlight constituency health hazards like landfill issues and garbage management, alongside calls for universal health care.

Abortion Rights Update: Dominica’s High Court ruling expands legal access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and where a woman’s life or health is at risk, with the government given six months to update laws and procedures; Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation calls it a major step for women’s health and dignity. Health Security for Tourism: CARPHA and the OECS renewed their partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across OECS member states through CARPHA’s Tourism and Health Program, running to 2030. Conservation & Community Health: DNCTF grant recipients received extra training on financial reporting and environmental safeguards for biodiversity projects, including rapid response to lethal yellowing disease and coral reef restoration in marine reserves. Local Governance & Public Health Concerns: Roseau North by-election candidates used a Dominica Business Forum discussion to outline competing priorities, with repeated focus on hazardous landfill issues, garbage collection, and calls for universal health care. Youth Skills & Wellness: A Dominica author launched skills development books for children and youth, including health and safety awareness, while a roots herbal community event promoted local medicinal plants to help tackle non-communicable diseases. Regional Mobility Pressure: EU letters urge five Eastern Caribbean citizenship-by-investment states, including Dominica, to phase out programs by June 1, 2028, warning of possible future Schengen visa-free access restrictions.

Abortion Rights Update: Dominica’s High Court ruling expands legal access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and where a woman’s life or health is at risk, with the government given six months to update laws and procedures—welcomed by the Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation as a major step for women’s health and dignity. Health Security for Tourism: CARPHA and the OECS renewed their partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across OECS member states through CARPHA’s Tourism and Health Program, running to 2030. Conservation Capacity Building: DNCTF grant recipients received extra training on financial donor reporting and environmental safeguards for biodiversity projects, including rapid response to lethal yellowing disease and coral reef restoration in marine reserves. Community Wellness Push: Roots Herbal promoted local medicinal plants and healthier living at a community wellness event, urging more use of herbs and fresh foods to help reduce the burden of NCDs. Local Governance & Health Risks: Roseau North by-election candidates used the Dominica Business Forum discussion to spotlight health-linked issues like hazardous landfill conditions and poor garbage collection, alongside calls for better services and universal health care. Regional Policy Watch: EU pressure on Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programs could affect Dominica and other states’ visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen area, raising new compliance and communication demands.

Abortion Rights Update: Dominica’s High Court ruling expands legal access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and where a woman’s life or health is at risk—removing criminal penalties and requiring government updates to laws and procedures within six months, with regional family planning groups calling it a major step for women’s health and dignity. Public Health & Nutrition Policy: A wider push is gaining momentum for healthier diets, including proposals for front-of-pack nutrition labelling and a health tax on foods high in fat, sugar and salt—plus tighter rules on advertising and sugar in baby foods. Environment & Community Health: Conservation grant recipients in Dominica received training to strengthen project management and environmental safeguards for biodiversity work, including projects tied to lethal yellowing disease response and coral reef restoration. Tourism Health Security: CARPHA and the OECS renewed a partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across the tourism sector through 2030, aiming to make the region more resilient while protecting residents and visitors. Local Wellness Spotlight: A Roots Herbal community event encouraged Dominicans to use local medicinal plants and fresh foods as a practical way to help reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases. Roseau North By-election (Health & Waste): Candidates at the Dominica Business Forum highlighted constituency health hazards, including the need to relocate the Fond Cole landfill due to smoke and toxic fumes, and improve garbage collection to cut down flies, mosquitoes and rats.

Abortion Law Update: Dominica’s High Court ruling (July 23) expands legal access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and when continuing a pregnancy threatens a woman’s life or health—removing criminal penalties in those situations and giving the government six months to update laws and procedures. Women’s Health Advocacy: Local groups Women’s Choice, MiRiDom and ASPIRE welcomed the decision but warned about the burden of proof women may face, calling for real access to safe services. Health Security for Tourism: CARPHA and the OECS renewed their partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across OECS member states through CARPHA’s Tourism and Health Program, running to December 2030. Antimicrobial Resistance Lab: CARPHA opened an AMR Regional Reference Laboratory in Jamaica to improve disease surveillance and specialized testing across 26 member states. Community Wellness & NCDs: Roots Herbal’s “Exchange and Engage” event promoted local medicinal plants and healthier eating as a way to tackle diabetes, hypertension, cancer and kidney disease. Local Health Risks in Politics: Roseau North by-election candidates used the Dominica Business Forum at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital to spotlight health hazards like landfill fires and poor waste collection. Conservation Capacity Building: DNCTF grant recipients received training to strengthen project management, donor reporting and environmental safeguards for coral reef restoration and disease response. Climate & Reefs: International coral reef experts met in Auckland to push action on climate drivers, mapping and Indigenous knowledge—relevant for Dominica’s marine health. Regional Mobility Watch: EU letters urge Dominica and other Eastern Caribbean CBI states to phase out programs by June 1, 2028, with possible Schengen visa-free suspension risk.

Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment Under EU Pressure: The European Commission has asked Dominica and four other Eastern Caribbean CBI states to phase out their programs by June 1, 2028, warning that investor-citizenship schemes could trigger suspensions of Schengen visa-free access under the EU’s revised Visa Suspension Mechanism. Reproductive Health Update: Dominica’s High Court ruling expands legal access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s life or health; advocacy groups say more reforms are needed so women can access safe services without added burdens. Regional Health Security for Tourism: CARPHA and the OECS renewed their partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across OECS member states through CARPHA’s Tourism and Health Program to 2030. Antimicrobial Resistance Lab Boost: CARPHA opened an Antimicrobial Resistance Regional Reference Laboratory in Jamaica to improve surveillance and specialized testing across 26 member states. Local Wellness Push: Roots Herbal promoted local medicinal plants and healthier living at a community wellness event, urging Dominicans to lean on herbs and fresh foods to help reduce NCD risk. Healthcare Workforce Focus: A TUD candidate called for better pay, training, and career growth for Dominica’s healthcare workers, including safer staffing and clearer pathways for NEP entrants. Conservation Capacity Building: DNCTF grant recipients received training on financial reporting and environmental safeguards to strengthen biodiversity projects, including work tied to lethal yellowing disease and coral reef restoration.

Abortion Rights Update: Dominica’s High Court ruling (July 23) expands legal access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and when a pregnancy threatens a woman’s life or health—removing criminal penalties in those situations and giving the Government six months to update laws and procedures. Advocacy Push: Women’s Choice, MiRiDom and ASPIRE welcomed the decision but say more reform is needed, including reducing the burden of proof on survivors and improving real access to safe services. Public Health Security: CARPHA and the OECS renewed their partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across the tourism sector through CARPHA’s Tourism and Health Program, running to December 2030. Antimicrobial Resistance: CARPHA opened an AMR Regional Reference Laboratory in Jamaica to boost surveillance and specialized testing across 26 member states, tackling antibiotic misuse and delayed diagnosis. Local Conservation Training: DNCTF grant recipients received training on financial reporting and environmental safeguards for biodiversity projects, including work tied to lethal yellowing disease response and coral reef restoration. Healthcare Workforce Focus: TUD candidate Christine Dupuis-Dubique called for fair pay, safer staffing, training, and clear career pathways for Dominica’s healthcare workers. Community Wellness: Roots Herbal promoted local medicinal plants and healthier living at a community wellness event, urging more use of herbs and fresh foods to reduce NCD risk. Travel Connectivity: Contour Airlines announced nonstop Dominica–Trinidad service starting Oct. 5, aiming to improve access for residents and visitors.

Health Policy & Rights: Dominica’s High Court ruling on July 23 expanded legal access to abortion in cases of rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and when continuing a pregnancy threatens a woman’s life or health, with government given six months to update laws and procedures; advocacy groups say the next step is ensuring women can actually access safe, legal care. Public Health & Safety: CARPHA and the OECS renewed a partnership to strengthen travellers’ health across the tourism sector through CARPHA’s Tourism and Health Program, running to December 2030. Regional Health Security: CARPHA opened an Antimicrobial Resistance Regional Reference Laboratory in Jamaica to boost testing and surveillance across 26 member states. Community Wellness: Roots Herbal promoted local medicinal plants and healthier living at a community wellness event, urging more use of herbs and fresh foods to help reduce non-communicable disease burdens. Conservation & Environment: DNCTF grant recipients received training on financial reporting and environmental safeguards for biodiversity projects, including work tied to lethal yellowing disease and coral reef restoration in marine reserves. Local News: Police released more details on the suspected drowning death of former cricketer John Fabien of Calibishie; a post-mortem is pending.