The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment has received Cabinet approval to recruit six new Emergency Medical Technicians, as authorities move to expand the country's emergency response capacity amid rising call volumes and growing demand for pre-hospital care.
Data presented to Cabinet shows that emergency calls managed by the Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Medical Services (ABEMS) rose from 14,318 in 2022 to 16,311 in 2024, with demand remaining high into 2025. The ABEMS Paratransit Unit also assisted over 1,100 patients last year, providing essential transportation for dialysis and physical therapy services.
Five of the six new positions will support the establishment of a 24-hour ABEMS outpost at the Glanvilles Polyclinic, a facility already undergoing service expansion. Ambulatory care services at the polyclinic are expected to begin shortly, advancing the government's broader strategy of bringing healthcare services to communities outside the capital.
The recruitment drive forms part of continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, which includes the recent opening of a new pharmacy at the Glanvilles Polyclinic and planned upgrades to other health facilities across the country.
Minister for Health, Wellness and the Environment Sir Molwyn Joseph said workforce expansion must keep pace with the growth of facilities. "The expansion of our healthcare facilities must be matched by strengthening our human resources. This recruitment drive ensures that we are prepared to meet the growing needs of our population while maintaining the highest standards of emergency care," Sir Molwyn said.
The additional personnel will also help meet increasing requests for emergency coverage at national events and sporting activities, as well as growing demand for Basic Life Support training across both the public and private sectors.
