AGP Executive Report

Mosquito-Borne Disease: PAHO is urging Caribbean countries to step up surveillance and prepare health services for possible dengue and chikungunya increases. Across the Americas, it reported 1.69 million suspected dengue cases and 571 deaths by mid-September; chikungunya transmission is also rising in some areas. Panama Update: The country has recorded 65 influenza deaths this year, most among people aged 65 and older; 96.4% of those who died were not vaccinated this season. Panama also has 23 reported Oropouche cases. Climate and Nutrition: Drought linked to El Niño has dried wells, damaged harvests and worsened food insecurity in parts of Central America, with children and other vulnerable groups at greatest risk. Regional Health Guidance: Brazil’s cardiology society has issued guidelines supporting the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in several heart-care applications.

Dengue and Chikungunya: PAHO urged Caribbean countries to strengthen surveillance and prepare health services for possible increases. The Americas had reported 1.69 million suspected dengue cases and 213,919 suspected chikungunya cases by mid-September; recent increases were reported in the Caribbean and Central America. Panama’s Disease Watch: The country has recorded 65 influenza deaths this year, most among older adults and people with underlying conditions; it has also reported 23 Oropouche cases. Climate and Nutrition: El Niño-driven drought is worsening food insecurity and malnutrition in Central America, with failed harvests and drying wells reported in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras. The World Food Programme warns the wider climate event could push 49 million more people into acute food insecurity in 2027. Care and Access: A new local dengue-testing lab in the U.S. Virgin Islands is helping shorten waits for results that previously took one to two months. Curaçao is also weighing regional medical cooperation to ease hospital waiting lists. Regional Health Risks: A new report says Costa Rica’s pesticide use is more than 10 times the global average, raising concerns about exposure and public health.

Food Security: El Niño-driven drought is worsening crop failures and food insecurity across Central America, with the World Food Programme warning that malnutrition is hitting vulnerable communities hardest. Cancer Care: Colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment in Latin America can be delayed for months; interest is growing in stool-based screening, though claims about the featured test come from its manufacturer. Environmental Health: A study found Costa Rica uses pesticides on farmland at more than 10 times the global average, raising concerns about health and environmental effects. Mental Health: Suicide deaths among people aged 10–24 rose 38% across the Americas from 2000 to 2021, prompting calls for earlier detection and stronger school- and community-based support. Healthcare Access: Grenada has welcomed 61 Ghanaian nurses, while Samsung Bioepis secured a 10-year deal to supply a rare-disease medicine in Brazil. Disease Preparedness: PAHO is urging stronger surveillance and readiness as dengue and chikungunya rise across the Americas.

Pope’s Health: Doctors say Pope Leo XIV needs no further cancer treatment after surgery for localized lung cancer. His planned South America visit remains uncertain, though doctors see no medical reason to cancel. Caribbean Health Workforce: Grenada has welcomed 57 Ghanaian health professionals, including nurses, lab staff, ultrasound technicians and a surgeon, to help fill staffing gaps across hospitals and community services. Youth Mental Health: Suicide deaths among people aged 10–24 in the Americas rose 38% from 2000 to 2021, reaching 18,157. PAHO says earlier detection and stronger school- and community-based support are needed. Disease Surveillance: PAHO is urging stronger monitoring and preparedness as dengue and chikungunya cases rise in the Americas. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, local dengue testing has replaced waits of up to two months for results. Regional Care: A proposal for Curaçao to bring specialist teams from Caribbean and Latin American hospitals to the island could help reduce waiting lists and build local expertise.

Brazilian Drug Access: Samsung Bioepis has signed a 10-year deal to supply Brazil’s public health system with a biosimilar for rare diseases, with production technology to be transferred to local partners. Disease Surveillance: Jamaica certified 23 health workers to trace contacts of people with HIV, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis. Diagnostic Services: St. Kitts and Nevis is nearing completion of its national MRI centre, with the scanner expected in November. Caribbean Workforce: Sixty-one Ghanaian nurses have arrived in Grenada to help meet healthcare staffing needs. Regional Health Risks: A new study finds suicide deaths among older adults in the Americas have doubled since 2000; separate security assessments warn Caribbean hospitals could struggle in another pandemic and island communities face major climate-disaster risks.

Brazilian Drug Access: Samsung Bioepis signed a 10-year deal to supply rare-disease treatment SB12 through Brazil’s public health system, with technology transfer to local partners. Disease Surveillance: Jamaica’s UTech certified 23 professionals in contact tracing for HIV, STIs and tuberculosis. Dengue Testing: A new lab in the U.S. Virgin Islands cut test-result waits from one to two months to under a week; the 2024–25 outbreak caused 263 confirmed cases and one death. Caribbean Preparedness: A Dutch risk assessment warns that limited ICU beds, medicine stocks and reliance on overseas care could leave Curaçao and nearby islands exposed in another pandemic. Mental Health: St. Maarten is advancing plans for a facility to serve Saba and St. Eustatius. Cuban Cancer Treatment: Russia registered Cuba’s Nimotuzumab, a targeted therapy for several cancers.

Dengue Testing: In the U.S. Virgin Islands’ 2024–25 outbreak, 263 cases and one death were confirmed. A local lab cut test-result waits from one to two months to under a week, helping clinicians and health officials respond faster. Rare-Disease Care: Brazil’s public health system will receive Samsung Bioepis’ biosimilar treatment for two rare blood disorders under a 10-year supply deal starting in 2027, with technology transfer to local partners. Pandemic Readiness: A Dutch security assessment warns Caribbean islands could struggle in another outbreak because of limited intensive-care capacity, small medicine reserves and reliance on imports and neighboring countries. Mental Health: St. Maarten is advancing a World Bank-supported facility intended to serve residents of St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius, alongside efforts to strengthen regional expertise and partnerships. Digital Health: A new World Bank initiative will offer Latin America and other emerging markets shared, affordable AI computing capacity, with potential applications including tools to support health workers.

Caribbean Mental Health: Sint Maarten’s prime minister discussed Dutch-backed cooperation and a new facility serving Sint Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius. The Netherlands says a full forensic psychiatric clinic is unlikely, and is exploring care suited to the region. Disaster Readiness: A Dutch risk assessment warns Curaçao and other Caribbean islands are vulnerable to climate disasters, citing limited backup infrastructure and reliance on single providers for services such as hospital care. Nursing Workforce: Ghana is sending health workers to Grenada, while Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados have also recruited Ghanaian nurses as they address staffing gaps amid the departure of Cuban medical teams. Maternal Health: St. Kitts honored 55 mothers for six months of exclusive breastfeeding—the programme’s highest number in six years. Brazil’s Health Policy: Ahead of the Oct. 25 presidential runoff, cannabis regulation is a health-care issue, with patient groups wary of a market shaped by corporate interests. Safer Dentistry: Latin American experts joined global talks on phasing down mercury-containing dental fillings, with countries working toward a 2034 phaseout.

Puerto Rico—Early Childhood: A proposed English-only rule for Head Start could affect about 25,000 children on the island. Educators warn it may weaken ties to children’s home language and strain already scarce staff and resources; the centres also provide health services. Dengue and Zika Research: Scientists found that a viral fragment in infected mosquitoes’ saliva may help viruses establish infection by dampening the body’s early immune response. The finding could guide a vaccine strategy, now in development, against mosquito-borne diseases. Regional Health Leadership: PAHO is urging countries and regional institutions to take a stronger role in global health decisions, arguing that clearer responsibilities could reduce duplication and make better use of limited resources.

Regional Health Leadership: PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa urged countries and regional institutions to take a stronger role in shaping global health decisions, saying clearer responsibilities could reduce duplication and make better use of limited resources. Mosquito-Borne Disease: Researchers found that a viral fragment in infected mosquito saliva can weaken the body’s early defenses and help Zika and West Nile infections take hold. The finding may guide vaccine strategies against related viruses, including dengue. Pope’s Latin America Tour: Pope Leo XIV made his first public appearance after surgery to remove a cancerous lung growth and said he would gradually resume duties. His surgeon sees no medical reason to cancel the planned November trip to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina, but the pope has not confirmed the travel plans.

Pope’s Recovery: Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican after surgery to remove a cancerous growth from his lung, then appeared at Sunday’s Angelus and said he would gradually resume activities. His surgeon expects a full recovery in about 10 days and sees no medical reason to cancel the pope’s Nov. 6–17 trip to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina, though Leo has not confirmed the plans. Caribbean Healthcare: Guyana says it wants to become a regional provider of specialized care. In The Bahamas, 22 healthcare professionals are set to travel to China for seminars, while a planned specialty hospital remains on the agenda.

Pope’s Recovery: Pope Leo XIV has returned to the Vatican four days after surgery to remove a cancerous part of his right lung. His surgeon expects recovery within about 10 days and says there is no clinical reason to cancel the pope’s November trip to Uruguay, Peru and Argentina, though further test results will guide any treatment. Caribbean Health Funding: A U.S. package for the Caribbean and Central America includes $61.5 million to help governments build self-sufficient healthcare workforces, part of more than $340 million announced for regional connectivity, health and security. Puerto Rico’s Head Start: A proposed English-only policy could affect health and family support services for about 25,000 children. Local educators warn it may strain staffing and resources and weaken children’s connection to Spanish.

Papal Health: Pope Leo was discharged after surgery to remove a cancerous lung tumour. Tests to determine whether it has spread are pending, while preparations continue for his November visits to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. Caribbean Health Funding: The United States announced an intended $61.5 million in support to help Caribbean governments build self-sufficient healthcare workforces, as part of a wider $340 million regional package. Surgical Care: Guyana hosted an international meeting on strengthening surgical services, with officials highlighting training, research and local capacity as priorities. Disease Preparedness: St. Kitts and Nevis began restricting entry for non-nationals who visited or transited six countries classed as high risk for Ebola within the previous 21 days.

Caribbean Health Funding: The U.S. announced $61.5 million for a regional health partnership aimed at helping Caribbean governments build more self-sufficient healthcare workforces. Disease Prevention: St. Kitts and Nevis began restricting entry by non-nationals who visited or transited through six countries deemed at high risk for Ebola within the previous 21 days. Surgical Care: Guyana hosted an international meeting on strengthening surgical services, as its health minister outlined ambitions to expand specialised care and local capacity. Hearing Health: Five Panamanian children received cochlear implants in Morocco through a foundation-funded program that also covers rehabilitation.

Pope’s Recovery: Pope Leo XIV is improving after surgery confirmed lung adenocarcinoma and removed the lower lobe of his right lung. He is walking and working independently, with a first public prayer planned for Sunday; his November trip to Peru, Argentina and Uruguay remains uncertain. Caribbean Health Funding: The United States announced $61.5 million for a regional healthcare initiative, alongside new security and digital infrastructure commitments. Hospital Safety: Saint Kitts and Nevis has opened an investigation into a patient’s death at Joseph N. France General Hospital after reports of a possible medication error. Hearing Care: Five children from Panama received cochlear implants in Morocco through a foundation program that covers surgery and rehabilitation. More than 1,100 Moroccans have received free implants. Food and Climate: Health officials in Sint Maarten highlighted the importance of affordable nutritious food, as El Niño threatens drought in parts of the region, including El Salvador.

Pope’s Recovery: Pope Leo XIV is walking, eating normally and resuming some work after surgery for lung cancer. His planned November visits to Peru, Argentina and Uruguay remain uncertain as doctors assess his recovery. Caribbean Hospital Review: St. Kitts and Nevis’ health ministry is investigating a patient’s death at Joseph N. France General Hospital after alleged errors in reading vital signs and medication; a post-mortem is pending. Colombia Earthquake Response: Project C.U.R.E. has opened a relief fund to send supplies to hospitals and clinics after the quake killed more than 300 people and damaged over 350 health facilities. Vision Care: Curaçao Medical Center reports lower eye pressure in 11 glaucoma patients after introducing a new implant surgery—the first use of the procedure in the Caribbean. Food and Climate Health: For World Food Day, Sint Maarten health officials highlighted access to nutritious food as a public-health priority. Forecast El Niño-driven drought in El Salvador could also worsen hunger and disease risks.