Antigua and Barbuda represented at regional Veterinary Services workshop in Saint Lucia by Shenequa Williams

Antigua and Barbuda was represented at the PVS Pathway Orientation Training Workshop for the Caribbean, held 8–10 April 2026 in Saint Lucia and hosted under the flagship Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

The country’s delegation included Dr. Tubal Edwards/Chief Veterinary Officer and Dr. Diandra Payne/Veterinary Officer.

The three-day workshop brought together Veterinary Services professionals from across the Caribbean to strengthen national capacity and prepare countries for upcoming PVS evaluations. Antigua and Barbuda is scheduled to undergo a PVS Evaluation as part of the Pandemic Fund project aimed at improving preparedness and response to emerging health threats in the Eastern Caribbean.

The PVS Pathway is a country-driven programme that supports continuous improvement of Veterinary Services in line with international standards. Through training, data use and strategic planning, the initiative helps countries enhance disease prevention and control, laboratory systems, workforce development, One Health collaboration and public-private partnerships.

Dr. Payne noted that the workshop highlighted the critical importance of strengthening Veterinary Services across the region. She explained that improving veterinary services creates a powerful chain reaction that benefits animals, farmers and the wider society. Healthier livestock and pets lead to reduced disease losses, improved productivity and more reliable income for farmers, while strong veterinary systems help protect public health and reduce healthcare costs.

She added that stronger veterinary services also support food security and safety by ensuring healthier animals, safer food production and improved inspection systems that reduce contamination risks. This helps build consumer confidence, supports local consumption and contributes to a stronger national economy.

Dr. Payne emphasised that investing in veterinary services is a national development priority, noting that stronger animal health supports safer food, improved public health, economic growth and national stability. She concluded that transformation of veterinary services is an ongoing journey requiring continued commitment and investment.

Countries and organisations represented included Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands, along with regional and international partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Caribbean Animal Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

Participation in the workshop is expected to support Antigua and Barbuda’s preparation for its upcoming PVS Evaluation and further strengthen national and regional veterinary capacity.