The Valley, Anguilla, 5 February 2025 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) partnered with the Ministry of Health in Anguilla to advance the prevention, control, and management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). As part of this commitment, PAHO facilitated a four-day mission to implement the Better Care for NCDs through the HEARTS in the Americas Initiative, which aims to strengthen primary healthcare and improve cardiovascular health outcomes.
NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases, are the leading causes of death in Anguilla. According to Hon Dr Ellis Webster, Premier and Minister of Health, more than 50% of deaths in Anguilla are due to NCDs, and approximately 25-30% of Anguillans suffer from hypertension, highlighting the urgent need for action. Through the Better Care for NCDs Initiative, PAHO works to enhance the quality of NCD care and strengthen healthcare systems in the region.
Strengthening Healthcare Systems to Combat NCDs
The mission, which took place from 28-31 January 2025, sought to strengthen Anguilla’s health system by introducing the Better Care for NCDs Initiative as a key component of primary healthcare improvement.
A major focus was advancing the HEARTS Initiative which resulted in the development of the standardized hypertension clinical pathway while initiating discussions on a diabetes clinical pathway to enhance disease management. As part of this effort, the mission facilitated the soft launch of Anguilla’s Hypertension Registry, providing a critical tool for improving patient monitoring and care. Additionally, new HEARTS tools and quality improvement methodologies were introduced to support more effective implementation.
Recognizing the importance of multi-disciplinary team, PAHO engaged with the diverse healthcare team that included primary health physicians, nurses, nurse aides, pharmacists, nutritionists, health educator and internists along with the health informatics specialists to explore local strategies for NCD prevention and control, ensuring that interventions were tailored to Anguilla’s specific needs.
Lastly, the mission included a preliminary meeting with stakeholders advocating for persons with disabilities, reinforcing the commitment to inclusive healthcare services and equitable access to quality care.
Building Capacity and Engaging Key Stakeholders
This initiative included training sessions and high-level stakeholder discussions, focusing on improving hypertension management and cardiovascular disease prevention. Participants were introduced to the HEARTS Quality Improvement Framework, the HEARTS App for CVD risk assessment, and the 2021 WHO guidelines for hypertension treatment.
A key milestone of the mission was the launch of the Hypertension Registry, designed to enhance data collection and patient tracking, ultimately improving health outcomes. The Hon Premier and Minister of Health specially thanked United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), for the support in the development of the Registry. He stated the tremendous difference this will make to facilitate evidenced-based decision making.
Additionally, the team discussed how PAHO can strategically support Anguilla and the rest of the OECS in leveraging the OECS Pooled Procured Services and PAHO Strategic Fund to ensure better access to essential medications for NCD care.
The PAHO team, composed by the Country Office, the PAHO Subregional Program Coordination and external hypertension expert, guided the health team through practical steps for improving Better Care to NCDs. Together, they developed a roadmap for its execution.
In addition, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Development convened a meeting with Persons with Disabilities (PWD), persons with NCD lived experiences and other stakeholders to discuss intersectionality between NCDs and disabilities, identify key priorities, and discuss potential collaborations and strategies for advancing inclusive healthcare services.
The discussion focused on the support that PAHO may provide to develop inclusive policies that ensure equitable access to health and social services for people with disabilities and persons with NCDs such as cancer, addressing barriers to healthcare, and promoting community-based support systems. Participants explored opportunities for integrating disability-inclusive policies within the national health agenda and strengthening advocacy efforts.
Collaboration for Sustainable NCD Care
PAHO’s engagement in Anguilla highlighted the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in reducing the burden of NCDs. By working with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and local stakeholders, this initiative sought to create sustainable improvements in the quality of NCD care.
Dr. Taraleen Malcolm, PAHO’s Advisor for NCDs & Mental Health for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, stated, “The HEARTS Initiative provides a transformative approach to improving cardiovascular health as an entry point to enhance all NCD care. By strengthening primary healthcare and engaging communities, we can achieve better outcomes for NCD patients in Anguilla.”
With this initiative, Anguilla positioned itself as a regional leader in primary healthcare-based NCD management, ensuring better health and well-being for its population.
