During the 2024–2025 biennium, PAHO made a substantive contribution to strengthening health governance and stewardship in Antigua and Barbuda by supporting the completion of an Essential Public Health Functions (EPHF) assessment and the subsequent development of a new National Strategic Plan for Health. 

Through direct technical cooperation delivered by the Eastern Caribbean office, PAHO supported national authorities in assessing institutional capacities, identifying governance gaps, and prioritizing reforms aimed at health for all. The EPHF assessment provided a structured, evidence-based diagnosis of stewardship, policy development, regulation, and accountability functions, enabling the country to ground its strategic planning in a comprehensive understanding of system strengths and constraints. PAHO also supported national stakeholders in translating the findings into a forward-looking health strategy that strengthens leadership, clarifies roles, and aligns policies, programs, and investments across the health sector. 

These outputs contribute to improved health outcomes by reinforcing the enabling environment required for effective service delivery, intersectoral action, and system resilience. Stronger governance enhances the capacity of the Ministry of Health to plan, regulate, and monitor services more effectively, supports continuity during political or institutional transitions, and underpins progress toward health for all. Over time, these gains in stewardship are expected to improve efficiency, health for all, and accountability across the health system, ensuring that population health needs are addressed in a more systematic and sustainable manner.