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Antigua and Barbuda is seeking deeper Pan American Health Organization support as it explores artificial intelligence, pooled purchasing and stronger primary care to modernise its health system.
Talks held alongside regional health meeting
Health Minister Michael Joseph and Chief Medical Officer Dr Kamaria DeCastro met senior PAHO officials, including director Dr Jarbas Barbosa and deputy director Dr Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, during PAHO’s 63rd Directing Council in Washington, DC.
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According to reporting by Antigua News, the discussions focused on practical areas where PAHO could broaden its technical support for the twin-island state, including the potential use of AI and other emerging technology to improve the delivery and efficiency of health services.
The meeting took place as ministers and health authorities from across the Americas concluded a five-day regional gathering that addressed health-system resilience, emergency preparedness, digital health and access to essential technologies.
Medicines, equipment and staffing on the agenda
Antigua and Barbuda also discussed greater use of PAHO’s Revolving Fund and Strategic Fund mechanisms. These pooled procurement arrangements support participating countries in obtaining vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other health technologies.
For a small island developing state, access to high-cost pharmaceuticals and specialised medical equipment can be constrained by limited purchasing power and supply-chain vulnerability. PAHO says its regional funds are intended to improve access to quality-assured products at more sustainable prices through collective purchasing and shared financing arrangements.
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Primary healthcare was another central concern. The talks examined possible support to address workforce gaps and ensure health facilities have the personnel and resources required to serve communities effectively.
Why the AI discussion matters
AI is increasingly being considered across public health for tasks such as analysing health data, supporting surveillance and helping services plan resources. But its value will depend on reliable digital infrastructure, trained staff, strong governance and safeguards for personal health information.
PAHO has placed digital transformation and health intelligence among its priorities for the region, while its recent guidance on AI preparedness stresses the need for countries to assess their readiness before integrating such tools into public-health systems.
For Antigua and Barbuda, the emphasis is not simply on adopting new technology. The broader aim is to connect innovation with dependable medicines, equipped facilities and a workforce capable of delivering care close to where people live.
A regional issue with local consequences
The initiative matters across the Caribbean, where small health systems often face common pressures: shortages of specialist staff, the high cost of imported medical supplies, chronic disease and exposure to hurricanes and infectious-disease threats.
PAHO’s current planning for Antigua and Barbuda identifies resilient primary-care services, access to health technologies, digital transformation and emergency readiness as priority areas. The latest engagement signals that the government is seeking to turn those priorities into more concrete regional cooperation.
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Any eventual AI deployment, procurement expansion or staffing programme will require follow-through beyond the Washington discussions. But the meeting places Antigua and Barbuda within a wider Caribbean push to make healthcare more resilient, accessible and technologically capable.