AGP Executive Report

Medical Transfers: The Calvin Ayre Foundation, with the Medical Benefits Scheme and CalvinAir, helped two Martinique-bound patients—Arthur James and Kenneth Edwards—get urgent overseas cardiac care after serious heart emergencies not available locally. Chlordecone Accountability: French lawmakers have unanimously backed a bill acknowledging the State’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone pesticide scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, citing contamination in nearly 90% of adults and links to cancers and other long-term health harms, with an inspection mission planned to assess remediation. Mosquito-Borne Risk (France): France reported 92 imported mosquito-borne infections in May (mostly dengue), all tied to travel abroad, as the tiger mosquito remains active across many departments—raising the stakes for vigilance during the mosquito season. Sargassum & Public Health: A Caribbean delegation is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management and how to turn seaweed into value-added products, aiming to reduce recurring environmental and public health impacts. Climate Pressure: New reporting highlights worsening drought and heat patterns across the Caribbean in 2026, stressing freshwater supplies and health-linked ecosystem strain.

Chlordecone Accountability: France’s Parliament has unanimously adopted a bill recognizing the State’s “share of responsibility” in the chlordecone health scandal affecting Guadeloupe and Martinique, after decades of pesticide use in banana plantations despite health warnings; lawmakers cited data showing traces in over 90% of adults, with links to cancers and other long-term harms, and an interministerial inspection mission is set to assess remediation and cleanup. Mosquito-Borne Disease Watch: In mainland France, health authorities reported 92 imported cases of dengue, chikungunya and Zika (all linked to travel abroad), with dengue the most common, as the tiger mosquito is active across many departments—raising the need for vigilance during the mosquito season. Regional Environment & Public Health: A Caribbean delegation (nine states/territories) is visiting Martinique and Guadeloupe June 1–4 to study sargassum management approaches, including monitoring, collection, risk management and turning seaweed into value-added products. Health Systems Access (Eastern Caribbean): PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a joint planning workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies across OECS member states, focusing on procurement and supply chains.

Chlordecone Accountability: French lawmakers voted unanimously to have the state acknowledge partial responsibility for long-term harm from the pesticide chlordecone (Kepone) in Martinique and Guadeloupe, despite health warnings—research cited by ANSES links widespread contamination to cancers (including prostate) and other serious health effects. Regional Public Health & Environment: An OECS delegation (nine states/territories) is on a June 1–4 mission in Martinique and Guadeloupe to study sargassum management under SARSEA, focusing on monitoring, collection, risk control, and turning seaweed into useful products—aimed at reducing recurring public health and economic impacts. Mosquito-Borne Disease Watch: France reported 92 imported mosquito-borne cases in May (mostly dengue) tied to travel abroad, with the tiger mosquito active across many departments—highlighting ongoing vigilance needs for arboviruses that can spread locally via returning travelers. Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS plan a joint workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, effective medicines across OECS member states, including pooled procurement and stronger supply chains. Climate Pressure on Health: Caribbean islands face worsening drought and extreme heat linked to a strong El Niño pattern, threatening freshwater supplies and health-related risks tied to water stress and disrupted ecosystems.

Arbovirus Watch: France reported 92 imported mosquito-borne cases (dengue, chikungunya, Zika) from May 1–25, with dengue the most common; authorities stress vigilance because the tiger mosquito is active from May to November and can spread infections locally after travel. Regional Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a joint planning workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and stronger supply chains. Climate & Water Stress: The Caribbean is facing harsher 2026 conditions—drought, extreme heat and unpredictable rainfall—threatening freshwater supplies, agriculture and health risks linked to environmental strain. Health System Capacity via Cooperation: Haiti and France reviewed cooperation projects for 2025, including health-focused initiatives and training support, with a push for better coordination and monitoring. Policy & Health Equity Context: France moved toward formally repealing the “Code noir” slavery-era laws, a symbolic step that also points to long-term impacts of colonial-era discrimination on society.

Mosquito-borne disease alert: France reported 92 imported cases of mosquito-borne illnesses (dengue, chikungunya, Zika) from May 1–25, with all infections linked to travel abroad—dengue made up most cases—and health authorities warn that the tiger mosquito is active from May to November and already established across many departments, including links to travel involving Martinique and other tropical regions. Medicines access for the Eastern Caribbean: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a joint planning workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, effective health technologies and medicines, including launching a technical working group focused on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled purchasing. Climate and health pressure: The Caribbean is seeing major 2026 climate shifts—drought lingering as wet-season patterns unravel, extreme heat, and unpredictable rainfall—raising risks for freshwater supplies, ecosystems, and food security that can directly affect community health. Haiti–France cooperation (health among priorities): A working session with France reviewed a portfolio of around 15 projects across sectors including health, with a push for earlier partner involvement to improve coordination and monitoring. Regional connectivity and wellbeing: Caribbean Airlines’ St. Kitts withdrawal sparked concern among travelers and commuters; while not a health story, disruptions to access can affect care-seeking and supply routes for health services across the region.

Haiti–France Cooperation: Haiti’s planning minister met a French delegation led by the ambassador to review development projects, urging partners to involve the ministry earlier for better coordination and monitoring. France’s 2025 support included €45m across security, humanitarian aid and development, with training and equipment for the Haitian National Police and continued military training for Haitian soldiers in Martinique. Mosquito-Borne Health Watch: France reported 92 imported mosquito-borne cases (dengue, chikungunya, Zika) in mainland France from May 1–25, all linked to travel abroad—dengue was the most common—while the tiger mosquito remains active from May to November. Eastern Caribbean Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a regional workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and stronger supply chains. Climate & Water Stress: The Caribbean is facing extreme 2026 shifts—drought lingering as wet-season patterns unravel—raising risks for freshwater reservoirs, agriculture and tourism infrastructure. Regional Connectivity & Health Impacts: Caribbean Airlines’ route changes (including reduced service to Martinique/Guadeloupe and exits elsewhere) are stirring concern about travel access across the region, with knock-on effects for people’s ability to reach care and services.

Climate & Health: The Caribbean is facing sharper 2026 climate swings, with drought lingering even as the wet season arrives, threatening freshwater supplies and raising heat stress risks across islands including Grenada, St. Lucia and Barbados. Mosquito-borne Alerts: France reported 92 imported mosquito-borne cases (dengue, chikungunya, Zika) in mainland France in May, with dengue the most common; authorities stress vigilance because the tiger mosquito is active from May to November and can spread infections locally after travel. Medicines Access (Eastern Caribbean): PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, including pooled procurement and stronger supply chains. Regional Connectivity & Health Access: A push for a unified ECCU/Caricom transport strategy comes as intra-Caribbean air services shift, with Caribbean Airlines cutting routes and frequencies—an issue that can affect how people reach care and how supplies move. Health Equity Context: France’s parliament moved toward repealing the “Code noir” slavery-era laws, a symbolic step tied to long-term impacts on racism and discrimination that shape health outcomes.

Mosquito-borne disease watch: France reported 92 imported cases of chikungunya, dengue and Zika (May 1–25), with dengue the majority; authorities stress vigilance because the tiger mosquito is active from May to November and can spread infections locally after travel. Climate & water stress: The Caribbean is seeing extreme shifts in 2026—drought lingering as rains turn unpredictable—raising risks for aquifers, reservoirs, farming and tourism. Medicines access in the Eastern Caribbean: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a Saint Lucia workshop (May 28–29) to strengthen pooled procurement, supply chains, quality assurance and forecasting for essential medicines and health technologies. Regional air travel disruption: Caribbean Airlines will cut routes and frequencies, including discontinuing service to Dominica and St. Kitts and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, raising concerns for travellers and health-related access. Colonial health legacy debate: France moved toward repealing “Code noir” slavery-era laws defining enslaved people as “movable goods,” a symbolic step tied to lasting discrimination and education impacts.

Mosquito-borne disease alert: France reported 92 imported cases of chikungunya, dengue and Zika in mainland France from May 1–25, with dengue the most common. Health authorities say all infections were linked to travel abroad, but the tiger mosquito is now established across 83 departments and is active from May to November—so vigilance matters in Martinique too. Medicines access in the Eastern Caribbean: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a joint planning workshop in Saint Lucia (May 28–29) to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, including a formal launch of a technical working group to strengthen procurement, supply chains, quality assurance and pooled purchasing. Regional health systems via training: France’s 2025 Haiti cooperation included €45 million for security, humanitarian aid and development, such as training 400+ Haitian police officers and continuing cohorts of Haitian soldiers trained in Martinique. Air travel disruption with health ripple effects: Caribbean Airlines will cut routes and frequencies, including reducing service to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly, after reporting major losses—an issue for patient travel, referrals and supply movement. Colonial law repeal with long-term social impact: France’s parliament voted unanimously to repeal “Code noir” slavery-era laws defining enslaved people as “movable goods,” a symbolic step tied to how racism and discrimination are addressed in society.

Mosquito-borne disease watch: France reported 92 imported cases of chikungunya, dengue and Zika in May (all linked to travel abroad), with dengue the most common; health authorities stress vigilance as the tiger mosquito is active from May to November and is established across many French departments, including travel links to tropical regions such as Martinique. Medicines access for the Eastern Caribbean: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will hold a joint planning workshop in Saint Lucia (28–29 May) to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies, including a formal launch of a regional technical working group focused on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance and pooled purchasing. Regional health system logistics: Caribbean Airlines is cutting and reshaping several routes (including reduced service to Martinique and Guadeloupe and discontinuations elsewhere), raising concerns about connectivity that can affect travel, access and movement of people across the Eastern Caribbean. Wellness tourism trend: Travel and Tour World released a 2026 list of the Top 30 wellness tourism destinations in the Americas and Caribbean, highlighting demand for nature-focused, flexible trips tied to physical and mental wellbeing.

Mosquito-borne alerts: France reported 92 imported cases of chikungunya, dengue and Zika between May 1–25, with dengue the majority (79). Health authorities say all infections were linked to travel abroad, but the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is now established across 83 departments and is active from May to November—so vigilance matters, including in overseas regions such as Martinique. Regional medicines access: PAHO/WHO and the OECS-PPS will hold a 28–29 May workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean states, including pooled procurement and better supply planning. Air travel and health access: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and reducing frequencies, including twice-weekly service to Martinique and Guadeloupe from June 1, after reporting combined losses of over US$18.84 million—an issue that can affect travel, care access, and regional mobility. Colonial health equity context: France’s National Assembly voted unanimously to repeal the “Code noir” slavery-era legal edicts, a symbolic step tied to how colonial history and discrimination are addressed in society.

Regional Medicines Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a Saint Lucia workshop (28–29 May) to strengthen access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean states, including pooled procurement, supply chains, and quality assurance. Air Travel Disruptions: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and frequencies—ending services to Dominica and St Kitts and reducing Martinique/Guadeloupe to twice weekly—after reported losses of over US$18.84 million, raising knock-on effects for travel and health-related mobility. Wellness Tourism Watch: Travel and Tour World released its Top 30 Wellness Tourism Destinations for 2026, highlighting growing demand for shorter, nature-focused and flexible wellness trips across the Americas and Caribbean. Health & Aging Interest: A longevity expert discusses “hallmarks of ageing” and how lifestyle and diet patterns may help slow accelerated ageing. Colonial Legacy & Public Health Context: France’s parliament moved toward repealing the “Code noir,” a slavery-era law that treated enslaved people as “movable goods,” a symbolic step that also spotlights long-lasting discrimination linked to health inequities.

Health Policy & Access to Medicines: PAHO/WHO and the OECS-PPS will convene a 28–29 May 2026 workshop in Saint Lucia to strengthen access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean states, including a formal launch of a regional technical working group focused on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled buying. Regional Health Systems & Procurement: The same meeting agenda highlights practical fixes like better demand forecasting and inventory management—aimed at making essential treatments more consistently available. Colonial Legacy & Public Health Equity: In France, lawmakers voted unanimously in the National Assembly to repeal the “Code noir” (Black Code), a slavery-era legal framework that treated enslaved people as “movable goods,” with the Senate still to vote later—an issue tied to how societies address long-lasting discrimination that can shape health outcomes. Air Travel Disruptions (Health & Wellness Impact): Caribbean Airlines plans to cut routes and reduce frequencies, including changes affecting Martinique and Guadeloupe, after reporting large route losses—an indirect but real factor for travel, tourism, and access to care.

Regional Health Access: PAHO/WHO and OECS-PPS will convene a 28–29 May 2026 workshop in Saint Lucia to improve access to safe, effective medicines and health technologies across Eastern Caribbean states, including launching a joint technical working group and focusing on procurement, supply chains, quality assurance, and pooled purchasing. Eastern Caribbean Transport & Health Impacts: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and frequencies—ending services to Dominica and St. Kitts and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—after reporting combined losses of over US$18.84 million, raising concerns for travel, tourism, and how easily people can reach care. Wellness Tourism Watch: Travel and Tour World highlights the Top 30 Wellness Tourism Destinations for 2026 in the Americas and Caribbean, pointing to growing demand for nature-led, flexible wellness trips that support both physical and mental wellbeing. Food & Longevity Angle: A French longevity expert discusses ageing markers and why healthier eating habits—plus steadier childhood obesity trends in France—may help people live longer in better health. Health Policy Context: A call from African and diaspora figures urges Senegal to suspend a new anti-gay law, warning it is driving fear, stigma, and barriers to healthcare for LGBTQ+ people.

Regional Air Travel & Health Access: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and frequencies, discontinuing service to Dominica, St. Kitts and the Ogle–Suriname corridor from June 1, and reducing flights to Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—an operational shake-up that could affect patient travel, medical supply logistics, and wellness tourism. Wellness Tourism: Travel and Tour World ranks the Top 30 Wellness Tourism Destinations for 2026 across the Americas and Caribbean, pointing to rising demand for nature-based retreats and mental wellbeing getaways. Public Health & Aging Science (France): A longevity expert highlights “hallmarks of ageing” and discusses how French lifestyle patterns may help curb childhood obesity—relevant for local prevention conversations. Chlordecone & Justice (Guadeloupe/Martinique link): A court acquits artist François Moulin and organizers over a Macron-resembling artwork tied to the ongoing sensitivity around chlordecone’s legacy in the French West Indies. Policy & Reparations (France): Macron says France must address legacies of slavery, including reparations, but without clear proposals—fueling debate that also touches education and health equity narratives.

UN Spotlight: Che Guevara’s 1964 UNGA statement is resurfacing in this week’s coverage, with Cuba framed as sovereign and anti-imperialist—an old speech, but still a live reminder of how politics shapes health, food, and rights. Regional Air Travel Shock: Caribbean Airlines is cutting routes and frequencies: it will stop flying to Dominica and St Kitts and end the Ogle–Suriname corridor from June 1, while reducing Martinique and Guadeloupe to twice weekly—after losses topping US$18.84 million on the exited routes. ECCU/Caricom Transport Push: Commentaries argue these airline setbacks make a unified ECCU–Caricom transport plan urgent for moving people and goods reliably. Wellness Tourism: TTW lists the Top 30 wellness destinations for 2026 across the Americas and Caribbean, pointing to demand for shorter, nature-led trips. Local Culture & Health Links: A Grenada “Spice Replanting Day” is set for June 28 to help restore hurricane-damaged nutmeg and spice trees—supporting livelihoods tied to food and community wellbeing.