PAHO to Guide New Mental Health Facility, Retrofitting Underway

PAHO to Guide New Mental Health Facility, Retrofitting Underway

The Pan American Health Organization will guide the development of Antigua and Barbuda’s new mental health facility, with retrofitting work expected to begin once technical recommendations are delivered later this month, Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph said.

Joseph said the government has relied on Pan American Health Organization to advise on both the design and operational framework for the facility, which is being converted from a former religious building.

“We decided as a government by policy to rely on the experts,” Joseph said. “The development of that mental health facility is being guided by the Pan American Health Organization with the resources of the World Health Organization.”

Joseph said PAHO is expected to submit its recommendations by the end of the month or early next month, after which the government will move ahead with physical retrofitting and legislative steps.

“At the end of this month or early next month, we are expecting recommendations from the Pan American Health Organization on the way forward,” he said.

He said the building requires substantial modification before it can be used as a behavioral health facility.

“You just don’t move a behavioral health unit into a church,” Joseph said. “There is going to be a requirement for physical retrofitting of the building.”

Joseph said the opening of the facility is also tied to passage of updated mental health legislation.

“The Mental Health Act, we hope to pass before we begin operation in that facility,” he said.

In response to questions about governance, Joseph said the management structure for the new facility will be determined after PAHO’s recommendations are received.

“We won’t know the management framework until we see the recommendation of the Pan American Health Organization,” he said.

Joseph described PAHO as uniquely qualified to guide the process, citing its long institutional history.

“PAHO is the most experienced World Health Organization organization in the world,” he said. “PAHO existed before WHO.”

He said the government expects PAHO’s guidance to shape both the effectiveness of the program and the final design of the facility.

“We are confident that they will guide us in establishing one of the most effective programs, as well as the design of the facility,” Joseph said.

Health officials said implementation of PAHO’s recommendations is expected to begin in February, marking a significant step toward expanding and modernizing mental health services in Antigua and Barbuda.

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