AGP Executive Report

Reproductive Rights Update: The Caribbean Family Planning Affiliation (CFPA) welcomed Dominica’s Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court ruling that decriminalizes abortion in specific circumstances, including rape, incest, severe fetal impairment, and when a woman’s life or health is at risk—while stressing more reforms are still needed to ensure real access to safe care. Healthcare Access & Workforce: Team Unity Dominica candidate Christine Dupuis-Dubique called for fair pay, safer staffing, training, and clear career pathways for healthcare workers, including a return-and-retention plan for professionals abroad. Public Health Capacity: CARPHA opened a regional Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) reference laboratory in Jamaica to strengthen surveillance and specialized testing across 26 member states. Community Wellness: Roots Herbal promoted local medicinal plants and healthier living at a community wellness event, linking traditional foods and herbs to reducing non-communicable disease risk. Local Safety & Tragedy: Police released more details on the fatal drowning of John Fabien of Calibishie, with investigations continuing. Regional Connectivity: Contour Airlines announced new nonstop Dominica–Trinidad and Tobago service starting October 5, aiming to boost travel for residents, tourism, and business.

Herbal Wellness & NCD Prevention: Roots Herbal promoted locally grown medicinal plants, herbal teas and cane juice at a community event, with researcher Paula Lockhart urging Dominicans to lean on familiar foods and herbs to help cut the burden of diabetes, hypertension, cancer and kidney disease. Reproductive Rights Update: Women’s Choice, MiRiDom and ASPIRE welcomed Dominica’s High Court abortion-law ruling, saying abortion must be legally available in cases including rape, incest, severe fetal abnormalities, and to protect a pregnant woman’s life or health, while warning more work is needed to ensure access. Antimicrobial Resistance Lab Boost: CARPHA opened an Antimicrobial Resistance Regional Reference Laboratory in Jamaica to strengthen surveillance and specialized testing across 26 member states, tackling antibiotic misuse and limited diagnostic capacity. Healthcare Workforce Focus: Team Unity Dominica candidate Christine Dupuis-Dubique called for fair pay, safer staffing, training and clear career pathways for healthcare workers, including a return-and-retention program. Public Health in Disasters: Caribbean stakeholders discussed how to protect people living with noncommunicable diseases during disasters, sharing strategies for prevention, treatment and recovery. Fatal Drowning Investigation: Police released more details on the suspected drowning of former cricketer John Fabien of Calibishie, who was found after spearfishing distress and is awaiting a post-mortem. Air Connectivity: Contour Airlines announced nonstop Dominica–Trinidad and Tobago service starting Oct. 5, aiming to improve travel convenience for residents, tourism and business links.

Reproductive Rights: Dominica’s High Court upheld a constitutional challenge to the abortion law, with Women’s Choice, MiRiDom and ASPIRE calling it a milestone while warning more work is needed to ensure women and girls can access safe, legal services; the ruling requires government changes within six months and covers cases including rape, incest, severe fetal abnormalities, and when needed to protect a pregnant person’s life or health. Public Health Security: CARPHA officially opened its Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Regional Reference Laboratory in Jamaica, expanding specialized testing for 26 member states and strengthening Caribbean disease surveillance as antibiotic resistance threatens millions of lives. Healthcare Workforce: Team Unity Dominica candidate Christine Dupuis-Dubique says healthcare workers need fair pay, safer staffing, training, and clear career pathways, including a proposed Health Professional Return and Retention Program. Air Connectivity: Contour Airlines announced nonstop Dominica–Trinidad and Tobago service starting Oct. 5, 2026, plus one-stop same-plane connections, aiming to boost tourism and business links. Community Safety: Police released more details on the suspected drowning of former cricketer John Fabien in Calibishie, with investigations ongoing. NCDs & Disasters: Caribbean health stakeholders discussed how to protect people living with noncommunicable diseases before, during, and after disasters, focusing on patient-focused resilience. Regional Sports: Dominica sent a 74-member team to the Windward Islands School Games in St. Lucia, including athletes and a full support staff.

Reproductive Rights: Dominica’s High Court ruling on the abortion law has been welcomed by Women’s Choice, MiRiDom and ASPIRE as a major milestone, but they warn more work is needed—especially around women’s access to safe, legal services and the burden of proof for rape or incest cases; the Government has six months to make legal and administrative changes. Public Health & Labs: CARPHA has opened an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Regional Reference Laboratory in Jamaica to strengthen Caribbean disease surveillance and expand specialized testing across 26 member states, tackling antibiotic overuse and limited diagnostic access. Healthcare Workforce: A TUD candidate is calling for better pay, safer staffing, allowances, training and clear career pathways for healthcare workers, including a proposed return-and-retention programme for professionals overseas. Local Safety: Police released more details on the suspected drowning of former cricketer John Fabien of Calibishie, who was found after spearfishing distress; investigations continue. Regional Connectivity: Contour Airlines announced nonstop Dominica–Trinidad service starting Oct. 5, 2026, twice weekly, aimed at boosting travel links for tourism and business. Food Security: EU-CaN’s “Cultivating Futures” project is briefing facilitators on building ecologically resilient school gardens and strengthening nutrition education across Dominica and other participating islands. NCDs & Disasters: Caribbean stakeholders discussed disaster preparedness and recovery with a focus on protecting people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) before, during and after emergencies.

Reproductive Health & Law: Dominica’s abortion law challenge got a major boost after a July 23 High Court ruling, with advocacy groups saying abortion must be legally available in cases including rape, incest, severe fetal abnormalities, and when needed to protect a woman’s life or health—while warning the government has six months to make legal and administrative changes. Public Health & Antibiotic Resistance: CARPHA opened an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Regional Reference Laboratory in Jamaica to strengthen Caribbean disease surveillance and expand specialized testing across 26 member states. Healthcare Workforce: A TUD candidate is calling for better pay, safer staffing, training, and clear career pathways for healthcare workers, including a proposed return-and-retention program. Local Safety: Police released more details on the fatal drowning of former cricketer John Fabien in Calibishie, with investigations continuing. Regional Connectivity (Health Access): Contour Airlines announced nonstop Dominica–Trinidad and Tobago service starting Oct. 5, aiming to improve travel links that can also support faster access to regional care. Food Security & Nutrition: EU-CaN’s “Cultivating Futures” project is rolling out ecologically resilient school gardens and nutrition education across Dominica and other participating islands.

New Air Link: Contour Airlines says it will launch nonstop Douglas-Charles (Dominica) to Piarco (Trinidad & Tobago) on October 5, 2026, twice weekly, with one-stop same-aircraft connections via San Juan and St. Thomas—aimed at making travel faster and boosting tourism and trade. Reproductive Health & Rights: Three groups behind Dominica’s abortion law challenge welcomed a July 23 High Court ruling, saying abortion must be legally available in specific cases (including rape, incest, severe fetal abnormalities, and when needed to protect a woman’s life or health), while warning about the burden of proof and calling for more access to safe services. Public Health Lab Boost: CARPHA opened an Antimicrobial Resistance regional reference laboratory in Jamaica to strengthen surveillance and specialized testing across 26 member states, tackling antibiotic misuse and limited diagnostic capacity. Healthcare Workforce Focus: A TUD candidate called for better pay, safer staffing, allowances, training, and clear career pathways for healthcare workers, including a return-and-retention program. Local Politics (Health Professional): UWP nominated pharmacist Martha Augustus as Roseau South candidate, citing nearly 15 years in healthcare and urging stronger advocacy for families facing sickness and hardship. Safety & Tragedy: Police released more details on the fatal Calibishie drowning of former cricketer John Fabien, with investigations ongoing.

Antimicrobial Resistance: CARPHA has opened an Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Regional Reference Laboratory in Jamaica, expanding specialized testing for 26 Caribbean states and strengthening regional disease surveillance as antibiotic misuse and limited lab capacity continue to fuel drug-resistant infections. Healthcare Workforce: UWP has nominated pharmacist Martha Augustus as its Roseau South candidate, while TUD candidate Christine Dupuis-Dubique is calling for fair pay, safer staffing, training, and clear career pathways for Dominica’s healthcare workers. Food & Nutrition Security: Zero Hunger Trust Fund facilitators for the EU-CaN “Cultivating Futures” project were briefed on their roles to support ecologically resilient school gardens and nutrition education across Dominica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, and Grenada. NCDs & Disasters: Caribbean health stakeholders discussed practical ways to protect people living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) before, during, and after disasters, focusing on patient-focused preparedness and recovery. Local Health Systems: St Vincent and the Grenadines advanced Integrated Health Surveillance Guidelines with PAHO support to improve coordinated data collection and faster public health threat detection. Community Health & Safety: Police are investigating a fatal industrial accident at Woodbridge Bay Port where stevedore Otis Francis was struck by a shipping container.

Sports & Youth: Dominica is sending a 74-member team to the 2026 Windward Islands School Games in St. Lucia, with 62 student-athletes and 12 officials competing in track and field, basketball, volleyball, football and netball, plus a dedicated safeguarding officer and team medic. Nutrition & Food Security: EU-CaN’s Zero Hunger Trust Fund project “Cultivating Futures – Empowering Youths for a Food Secure Region” is rolling out across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Grenada and Dominica, using ecologically resilient school gardens and nutrition education to build climate-ready food systems. Regional Health Preparedness: Caribbean health stakeholders discussed how communities can better prepare for disasters while protecting people living with noncommunicable diseases, focusing on prevention, treatment and continuity of care before, during and after emergencies. Air Connectivity: Contour Airlines announced nonstop service between Dominica (Douglas-Charles) and Trinidad (Piarco) starting Oct. 5, 2026, twice weekly, with same-plane connections via Trinidad to Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Workplace Safety: Police are investigating the death of a 47-year-old stevedore after a cargo-loading accident at Woodbridge Bay Port, where he was reportedly struck by a shipping container. EU Policy Watch: EU officials have urged OECS states, including Dominica, to phase out Citizenship by Investment programs by June 1, 2028, or face potential visa-free travel suspension.

Air Connectivity & Tourism: Dominica is set for a boost in regional travel with Contour Airlines launching nonstop service between Douglas-Charles (DOM) and Port of Spain (POS) from October 5, 2026, twice weekly, plus one-stop same-plane connections via Trinidad to San Juan and St. Thomas—aimed at making visits “more comfortable and reliable” and supporting tourism and business links. Regional Health & NCD Preparedness: Caribbean stakeholders met to share practical ways communities can prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters while keeping noncommunicable disease (NCD) care front and center, including patient-focused prevention and ongoing support. Food Security & Youth Nutrition: The EU-funded “Cultivating Futures – Empowering Youths for a Food Secure Region” project was launched in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with schools in Dominica and other participating islands used to strengthen food security, nutrition education, and climate resilience. AMR Lab Strengthening: CARPHA completed a five-day technical visit to Turks and Caicos to strengthen antimicrobial resistance detection, lab systems, surveillance, and regional health security. Workplace Safety Tragedy: Police continue investigating the death of a 47-year-old stevedore after a container-related industrial accident at Woodbridge Bay Port. Public Health Policy Debate: A letter to the editor urges readiness for a possible High Court decision on abortion law, warning that health services may need to shift from stigma to care.

Regional Air Connectivity: Contour Airlines announced new non-stop service between Douglas-Charles Airport (Dominica) and Piarco International Airport (Trinidad & Tobago), starting October 5, 2026 (twice weekly), plus one-stop same-plane links via San Juan and St. Thomas—an upgrade that should make travel easier for residents and support tourism and business ties. NCD Care in Disasters: Caribbean health stakeholders met to focus on how communities can better prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters while keeping noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention, treatment, and ongoing care front and center. Court & Health Services: A letter to the editor raises concerns about what could happen if Dominica’s high court rules on the constitutional challenge to the abortion law—framing the issue as a potential shift from criminalization to healthcare. Public Safety Update: Police continue investigating a Salisbury shooting that left one man shot multiple times. Food Security & Youth: The EU-funded “Cultivating Futures – Empowering Youths for a Food Secure Region” project was launched, using school gardens to strengthen food security, nutrition education, and climate resilience across participating islands including Dominica. Workplace Safety Tragedy: Investigations continue after a stevedore died in an industrial accident at Woodbridge Bay Port after being struck by a shipping container.

Regional Health Security: CARPHA completed a five-day technical visit to Turks and Caicos to strengthen antimicrobial resistance detection, lab systems, surveillance, and health security, including work with the territory’s health ministry, hospital teams, and public health laboratory. Food & Nutrition: The Zero Hunger Trust Fund officially launched the EU-CAN “Cultivating Futures” project, using 10 regional schools as demonstration sites across St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica to boost food security, nutrition education, and climate resilience. Local Wellness & Exports: Dominica’s Bee Natural shared export challenges and market access lessons at an IICA-CDB Agri-MSME forum, highlighting practical barriers small agri-enterprises face when moving products to regional and international buyers. Health & Safety at Work: Police continue investigating a fatal port industrial accident at Woodbridge Bay Port, where a stevedore was struck by a shipping container during cargo operations; authorities say safety vigilance remains critical for port workers. Community Health Leadership: JCI Dominica inducted 21 new members, with leaders urging growth and service, including awards for teamwork and leadership. Travel & Tourism (Indirect Health Impact): Contour Airlines announced a new non-stop Dominica–Trinidad route starting Oct 5, 2026, expected to support tourism and business links.

Violence Update: Police are investigating a Salisbury shooting after a man was shot multiple times and is receiving medical attention. Community Safety: Police also continue a probe into a fatal shooting in Mahaut, Morne Georgin, where 34-year-old Al Toussaint was found with multiple gunshot wounds; authorities are asking the public for tips. Workplace Health & Safety: Dominica police are investigating the death of 47-year-old stevedore Otis Francis after he was struck by a shipping container during cargo-loading at Woodbridge Bay Port; the case highlights ongoing risks for port workers. Food Security & Nutrition: The Zero Hunger Trust Fund launched an EU-funded regional initiative, “Cultivating Futures,” using 10 schools across St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica to strengthen food security, nutrition education, and climate resilience. Health Systems Strengthening: CARPHA completed a five-day technical visit to Turks and Caicos to strengthen antimicrobial resistance detection, lab systems, surveillance, and health security response. Regional Policy: EU pressure on Citizenship by Investment continues, with OECS leaders coordinating a unified response after Brussels set a 2028 phase-out deadline.

Food Security & Nutrition: Zero Hunger Trust Fund officially launched the EU-CAN “Cultivating Futures – Empowering Youths for a Food Secure Region” project, using 10 regional schools in St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica to boost food security, nutrition education, and climate resilience over 18 months. Public Health & Labs: CARPHA completed a five-day technical visit to Turks and Caicos to strengthen antimicrobial resistance detection, lab systems, surveillance, and regional health security, including work with the national public health laboratory and infection prevention teams. Local Health & Wellness (Agri): Dominica’s Bee Natural was highlighted at an IICA-CDB Agri-MSME forum focused on moving small agri-enterprises into export markets, sharing lessons on logistics and building regional customers. Maternal Health (Global Insight): A Word In Black discussion on maternal mortality among Black women stressed that disparities stem from unequal access and systems long before childbirth—not biology. Workplace Safety Tragedy: Police are investigating the death of stevedore Otis Francis after he was struck by a shipping container during cargo operations at Woodbridge Bay Port; authorities are calling for strict safety vigilance. Community Health (Family Planning): ASPIRE marked World Vasectomy Day, arguing for better male involvement in family planning and highlighting vasectomy as a safe, reliable option.

AMR & Lab Strengthening: CARPHA completed a five-day technical visit to the Turks and Caicos to boost antimicrobial resistance detection, lab systems, AMR surveillance, and health security, including work with the Ministry of Health, NERU, NPHL, TCI Hospital, and infection prevention teams. Food Security for Youth: The Zero Hunger Trust Fund launched the EU-CAN “Cultivating Futures – Empowering Youths for a Food Secure Region” project, using 10 regional schools in St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Grenada, and Dominica to improve food security, nutrition education, and climate resilience. Local Workplace Safety: Dominica police are investigating the death of 47-year-old stevedore Otis Francis after he was struck by a shipping container during cargo-loading at Woodbridge Bay Port; DASPA says it is cooperating and a post-mortem is pending. Community Health & Access: Bee Natural (Dominica) shared export-market challenges at an IICA-CDB Agri-MSME forum, highlighting practical barriers to moving products to markets—relevant to nutrition-focused local enterprise growth. Regional Policy Pressure: EU moves to end Citizenship by Investment programs by 2028 are driving OECS leaders to coordinate a unified response for talks in Brussels, with implications for integrity, screening, and visa-free travel.

Workplace Safety in Dominica: Police are investigating the death of 47-year-old stevedore Otis Francis after he was struck by a shipping container during cargo operations at Woodbridge Bay Port in Fond Colé; he was pronounced dead at the scene and his body was taken for a post-mortem, with DASPA and the police urging continued vigilance around port safety. Food Security & Youth Nutrition: The Zero Hunger Trust Fund has launched an EU-funded regional initiative, “Cultivating Futures – Empowering Youths for a Food Secure Region,” running 18 months and using 10 schools across St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Grenada and Dominica to strengthen food systems, nutrition, education and climate resilience. Regional Climate-Fisheries Collaboration: CRFM and the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre are strengthening cooperation to help member states build more resilient fisheries and coastal communities, including work on renewable energy, livelihoods, gender equality and the ongoing sargassum seaweed challenge. CBI/CIP Pressure from the EU: EU letters tell OECS states including Dominica to end Citizenship by Investment programmes by June 2028 or face visa-free travel suspension risk; regional leaders say they’ll coordinate a unified response for talks in Brussels. Community Health Leadership: JCI West Indies vice president Therese Mills inducted 19 new members of JCI Dominica, highlighting growth potential and service commitments at the Dominica/China Friendship Hospital auditorium. Violence Alert (Mahaut): Police appealed for information after the fatal shooting of 34-year-old Al Toussaint in Morne Georgin, Mahaut, urging young people to avoid settling disputes with firearms.

Maritime Safety Tragedy: A late-night boat collision off Saint Lucia’s west coast left at least three dead, several injured, and one person missing, prompting Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre to send condolences and praise responders as search-and-rescue continues. Workplace Safety: Dominica is investigating a fatal industrial accident at Woodbridge Bay Port in Fond Colé where stevedore Otis Francis was reportedly struck by a shipping container during cargo-loading; police say a post-mortem is pending and safety calls are renewed. Public Health Systems: Dominica’s health sector is moving to upgrade the national medical laboratory system to speed up test processing and improve patient care. Food Security & Nutrition: The Zero Hunger Trust Fund has launched an EU-funded regional initiative, “Cultivating Futures,” using 10 schools in Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Grenada to strengthen sustainable food systems, nutrition, education, and climate resilience. Climate & Fisheries Collaboration: CRFM and the Caribbean Climate Change Centre are strengthening partnership efforts to help member states build more resilient fisheries, including work to address sargassum impacts. Regional Policy Pressure: EU letters demand Eastern Caribbean Citizenship-by-Investment programmes end by 2028 or risk visa-free travel suspension; Dominica and OECS leaders plan a coordinated Brussels mission while stressing reforms and integrity. Community & Health Advocacy: Dominica Council on Ageing officials are urging stronger protection for seniors against scams, abuse, and neglect to safeguard dignity and access to healthcare.