Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs, the Honourable Michael Joseph, welcomed France’s new Ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean, Her Excellency Marie-Noëlle Duris, for discussions on expanding cooperation between Antigua and Barbuda and the French Caribbean in specialised healthcare.

The meeting focused on opportunities for medical professional exchanges and specialised training, including opportunities for doctors and other healthcare professionals from Antigua and Barbuda to gain practical exposure to services provided in the French territories.

Minister Joseph highlighted potential collaboration in stroke management, neurology and cancer care, including early detection and treatment and the use of radioisotopes in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Discussions also explored opportunities to train Antiguan and Barbudan pharmacists, nurses and doctors, while examining ways to improve access to specialised diagnostic and treatment services.

Minister Joseph further proposed the development of a bilateral healthcare arrangement that could facilitate referrals for complex cancer cases to specialised facilities in the French territories, supporting faster diagnosis and access to comprehensive diagnostic capabilities.

Ambassador Duris welcomed the discussions and expressed France’s interest in strengthening practical cooperation with Antigua and Barbuda in healthcare and related areas.

Minister Joseph said the proposed collaboration could significantly strengthen the country’s capacity to provide specialised care while creating new opportunities for professional development and knowledge exchange