Since assuming office just over a month ago, Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, the Honourable Michael Joseph, has been meeting with key departments and agencies within his portfolio to gain a better understanding of their operations, challenges, and immediate priorities.
Recognizing the extensive nature of the Ministry and the wide range of departments and agencies that fall under its responsibility, Minister Joseph recently brought together senior technical officers and heads of departments for a collective meeting aimed at fostering dialogue, strengthening collaboration, and identifying some of the most pressing issues facing the Ministry.
The meeting provided an opportunity for representatives from across the Ministry’s portfolio to openly discuss their concerns, priorities, achievements, and operational challenges while gaining a greater appreciation for the work being undertaken by their counterparts in other departments and agencies.
Among those in attendance were Permanent Secretary Stacey Gregg-Paige and senior staff from the Ministry’s headquarters, as well as representatives from the Central Board of Health, AIDS Secretariat, Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Medical Services (ABEMS), National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA), Fiennes Institute, CARE Project, Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, the nation’s clinics and polyclinics, the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS), Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC), the Nutrition Unit, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, the Department of Environment and the Civil Service Affairs Department among other units.
During the meeting, Minister Joseph encouraged participants to remain committed to providing quality services and to continue working diligently to improve standards across the Ministry and its various agencies.
The Minister also stressed the importance of greater cohesion among departments, noting that while each agency and unit has a distinct mandate, they are all interconnected and play a critical role in the overall delivery of health, wellness, environmental, and civil service functions.
“Many of the challenges we face do not exist in isolation,” Minister Joseph said. “As a Ministry, we must work more closely together, communicate more effectively, and support one another in order to deliver the highest standard of service to the people of Antigua and Barbuda.”
Minister Joseph further indicated that while he intends to continue meeting with management teams across the various departments and agencies, he also plans to engage directly with staff members at all levels.
He noted that employees often have valuable perspectives and insights that can contribute to improving operations and service delivery and emphasized that creating opportunities for open dialogue with staff will form an important part of his ongoing assessment of the Ministry.
The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to listening, collaboration, and continuous improvement as he works alongside stakeholders across the Ministry to strengthen operations and enhance services for the benefit of the people of Antigua and Barbuda.