Antigua and Barbuda - The Journey to EMT Americas - PAHO/WHO

Meet EMT Americas - Antigua & Barbuda is being strengthened to enhance the management of emergencies during natural disasters, thanks to the Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) Americas.

The EMT global initiative was implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO) and led in the Americas Region by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

For people living in the Americas with particular emphasis on the Caribbean, the threat of natural disasters, specifically hurricanes, is a looming reality. While small island developing states (SIDS) in the region have disaster management programs, there are some with no support mechanisms available, and they are at the mercy of external support.

Antigua and Barbuda is no stranger to hurricanes. In 1995, Hurricane Luis left a trail of destruction, flattening everything in its path. The Category 4 storm rained down on the sister islands for nearly 36 hours. Sadly, three lives were lost, one hundred people injured and just over three thousand people were left homeless. It took approximately six months for the twin island’s infrastructure to fully recover and left Antigua and Barbuda with a three hundred and fifty million US dollar tab.

Fast forward to 2017. Hurricane Irma destroyed the sister island of Barbuda, taking one life. Following this tragic occurrence, all 1,800 of Barbuda’s citizens were evacuated to Antigua, and Barbuda became a “ghost town”.

The negative nature of natural disasters and pandemics, along with the harsh lessons learnt from the 2010 catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, further highlighted the need for strengthening rapid response and effective deployment of medical teams for medium to large scale emergencies. EMT validation in Antigua and Barbuda is a step in the right direction, ensuring there is infrastructure in place in the event of a disaster. An EMT in Antigua and Barbuda could also provide a safety blanket for the neighboring Leeward Islands.

What is an Emergency Medical Team?

An EMT comprises health professionals including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and paramedics. These professionals, derived from the local health systems, attend to people affected by emergencies and disasters.

An EMT can be governmental (civil and military teams) or non-governmental organizations and their response can be national or international.

After Hurricane Irma destroyed Barbuda on September 6th, 2017, emotions were high, homes were lost, and the island was transformed from lush greenery to what would appear to be an almost barren landscape. Access to clean water and sanitation, along with the spread of water and vector borne diseases, was of primary concern. Even though the damage to Barbuda was almost one hundred percent infrastructural, one cringes at the thought of more lives lost, and more needing medical assistance. Thankfully, this was not the case; but had that been the scenario, an Emergency Medical Team would have provided the appropriate response.

Stevet Jeremiah - Barbuda

Stevet lost her two-year-old son Carl Francis during Hurricane Irma. He was swept away from a relative’s arms after their roof blew off. When Carl was found hours later, Stevet tried her best to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, unfortunately he died in her arms.

Years later she says the loss of her son still pains her like it was yesterday. Stevet believes having an EMT in Antigua and Barbuda is necessary.

“I feel it is a good thing, it will help in the event of any other disaster.”

She thinks had there been an EMT in place at the time, her son Carl could possibly still be alive.

The Road to EMT Readiness

On February 6, 2023, civil and military participants on the twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda set off on a five-day training session facilitated by PAHO/WHO.

To ensure the success of this training, PAHO donated tools necessary for the exercise. This included a water supply kit, waste management kit and a medical imaging kit which features X-ray and ultrasound capability. These components were necessary for improving the country’s operational support and diagnostic capacity.

The team comprised of selected personnel from the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation, and the Environment with Dr. Voneta George as the National Focal Point for EMT, along with selected members of the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force with Lt. Carla Browne as Military Focal Point for EMT.

Dr. Gemma Chery (left), Country Program Specialist-PAHO Antigua and Barbuda, official handover of training kits to National Focal Point-EMT ATG Dr. Vonetta George. (right)

Dr. Gemma Chery, PAHO/WHO Country Program Specialist in Antigua and Barbuda conveyed remarks on behalf of the PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr. Amalia Del Riego. She underscored the importance of the invaluable equipment donated to Antigua and Barbuda, expected to help boost the capacity of health systems.

The Training Exercise

The Antigua and Barbuda team engaged in virtual, technical, and theoretical training exercises. A practical session at Camp Blizzard in February 2023 and a theoretical session at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Center in May 2023. The focus areas included Water Supply Management, Waste Management and Radiological Imaging. The participants consisted of personnel at various levels, decision makers; operational support; water, sanitation and hygiene; logistics personnel; technical radiology; and nursing and emergency medical staff.

Anderson Tuitt, Preparedness and Response Manager National Office of Disaster Services - NODS - Antigua

Anderson Tuitt, Preparedness and Response Manager, National Office of Disaster Services - Antigua participated in both training exercises. He shared his experience and expectations.

"Everyone is cross trained, when the EMT is set up, persons may have their specific function, but knowledge of the entire operation is spread to everyone who is part of the team. Each one of us has to function in every aspect, from water purification, managing waste, First AID and psycho social support. "

"In the event that the hospital is overwhelmed as a result of a disaster, the EMT with the use of its field hospital will be able to assist with medical emergencies. Antigua and Barbuda is equipped to handle any emergency at a local level, we must be prepared for the next disaster - not if; but when. COVID has taught us that it is going to happen again, whether it is a health disaster or natural disaster, we have to be ready. With an EMT in Antigua, we are moving in the right direction, we are prepared."

Participants engaged in the assembly of water and waste management units at Camp Blizzard February- 2023

The EMT Global and EMT Americas

There are currently thirty-seven (37) internationally verified teams under the EMT Global initiative. Four of these are in the Americas - one each in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Barbados, and the United States of America.

Antigua & Barbuda’s EMT is on its way…

How does this benefit Antigua and Barbuda’s health sector infrastructure? Will this exercise along with future training on the road to EMT help enhance the country’s emergency, disaster and pandemic response capabilities?

Dr. Vonetta George -National Focal Point EMT Antigua and Barbuda

"The WHO EMT Initiative is one of the most important projects in the health emergencies response and PAHO has embraced this initiative and led the way in developing and improving minimum standards, sharing knowledge via training workshops and webinars, to continue building capacity throughout the Americas.

Antigua and Barbuda has set out on the journey towards building our National Emergency Medical Team with a civil-military collaboration. We are thankful to PAHO and its donors who have provided a field hospital, waste and water management kits, along with radiology equipment that will be needed once deployed. PAHO has also provided us with mentors and trainers who assist and guide us on the road map to our Type 1 Fixed N-EMT."

Participants engaged in theoretical Training at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre in May 2023

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consistent threat of natural disasters, an EMT’s ability to be deployed within real time is an absolute necessity.

Antigua and Barbuda has taken steps to ensure an effective and efficient state of readiness. With a population of 100,000 people, the density of doctors/nurses stands at 2.8 per 1000 population. The safety net of an EMT with an accessible field hospital gives reassurance of the country’s level of disaster preparedness. Antigua & Barbuda must be commended for not only the effort and foresight but also bringing it to fruition.

Patriotism and Inspiration

Corporal Mervin Bacchus- Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force (ABDF)

"Given the fact that I'm in the Engineering Department, the training was very informative and interesting. I can see the applicability to my work in the event of a disaster. The training has provided me with a full understating of EMT and the vital role that it plays in relation to Disaster Management. It also demonstrated how everyone can work together to complete different preparation tasks. Yes, I am excited to gain more knowledge to bring back to the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force and my country at large."

Lt. Carla Browne Thomas - Military Focal Point EMT ATG

"Prior to the training that was held by PAHO, most persons never heard of EMT or the EMT initiative. This training facilitated awareness amongst the major stakeholders in emergency response. The training brought about camaraderie and built lifelong relationships amongst participants. It opened the door for knowledge sharing, creating awareness of the role of each participating organization when responding to emergencies."

The reality of the devastating effects of climate change comes with an even higher risk of local, regional, and global scale emergencies. A notable increase in catastrophic flooding, large scale forest fires along with the constant threat of typhoons, hurricanes, earthquakes, and possible tsunamis leaves humanity in a very vulnerable position. Responding almost immediately when unfortunate sudden impact disasters occur is crucial. The fast deployment of EMTs is a key component for the protection and preservation of life.

Antiguans and Barbudans are extremely optimistic about an EMT present on the island and public health professionals anticipate only benefits.

The Path is set

Antigua and Barbuda is committed and intent on attaining TYPE 1 Fixed N EMT status.

With the assistance of the PAHO/WHO technical teams who ensured that all logistical and technical requirements were in place along with equipment donations, procurement and essential training, the path to TYPE 1 Fixed N EMT status is set.

This small island state of one hundred and eight square miles looks forward to the strengthening of its national emergency response system and even further, to assist on a regional and an international level when necessary; ultimately, offering public health support as a verified EMT under the umbrella of the EMT Americas.

Antigua and Barbuda is Ready...

Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries

Antigua and Barbuda

Emergency Medical Teams

Health Emergencies and Disaster Response

Storms

Health Emergency and Disaster Preparedness