Hon Michael Joseph Minister Responsible for Health

Health Minister Michael Joseph says demand for laboratory services in Antigua and Barbuda is expected to rise tenfold as the country moves towards a public laboratory.

Joseph made the point on Friday during talks with Monroe University President Mark Jerome about specialised training for local health professionals. Under the proposal, coursework would be done online and clinical training would take place at the hospital in short, intensive sessions. This would allow health workers to earn advanced qualifications without spending long periods overseas.

The minister said several public health nurses already have master’s degrees, but that training is general. He said the Ministry needs professionals with specific expertise in areas such as obesity, infant mortality and prenatal care so they can develop programmes and policies.

Jerome said the university is willing to design a Master of Public Health programme tailored to the country’s needs. He noted that Monroe already trains about 1,000 adult learners through a partnership with a major New York healthcare union.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Demand for laboratory services in Antigua and Barbuda expected to rise tenfold, health minister says.