National Strategic Plan for Health 2016 – 2020.

The National Strategic Plan for Health is a national multi-sectoral policy to build the United Kingdom’s resilience to climate change. The timeframe of the Policy is 5 years between 2016 and 2020. The strategic goals of the National Strategic Plan for Health are (i) capacity building for self-management, (ii) improved health systems and community support mechanisms, and (iii) strategic partnerships.
The health status of individuals and families will be improved through healthy eating. Child nutrition screening will be strengthened with a focus on preventing under-nutrition and stunting. Breastfeeding programs will be promoted to improve nutritional status of infants and young children. Sound culturally-sensitive education and counselling will be conducted on appropriate infant feeding practices for mothers and fathers. A low-cost supplementary infant feeding program will be established.
The standard of health and social services provided to the mentally ill, elderly, persons with disabilities and abandoned children will be improved. National standards and protocols will be developed to govern all facets of operation of privately-operated nursing homes for the elderly. Moreover a system of licensing for approved privately-operated nursing homes for the elderly will be established and a rigorous system of monitoring and inspection will be implemented. The quality of life will be improved by highlighting gender equality and the special needs of rural and urban communities. Health literacy will be increased among the population to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions. Individuals and families will be empowered to manage their own health conditions. In addition individuals, families and communities will be engaged in decision-making for health and self-management.
In order to improve quality of care and access to health services, requisite regulatory and administrative frameworks will be created and financial support to the health sector will be increased. The health sector planning and programming, including health information management will be institutionalized. Adequate human resources will be maintained to deliver effective health services at all levels. Public health risk will be reduced by improving environmental health conditions. Mechanisms will be created to stimulate intersectoral partnerships with respect to planning, programming and resourcing for national health. National capacity will be built to deliver health promotion across sectors including health, education, agriculture and social development, as well as the private sector and non-governmental organizations. The relationships with traditional and non-traditional international development partners will be developed. An Office of International Relations in Health will be established. This office shall be responsible for stimulating regional and international strategic partnerships and coordinating all related matters. Health-related agreements acceded to by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will be implemented. A national research agenda will be developed and a multidisciplinary group of health workers appropriately trained to undertake surveillance and research initiatives on a sustained basis. The rate of morbidity and mortality will be reduced with special attention on under-five mortality rate. The national health system will be strengthened to improve national response to non-communicable diseases and the capacity of the health sector will be enhanced to prevent and control disease conditions. Programs will be designed to empower individuals and families in reducing risk from HIV infection and increasing protective behaviours. Furthermore the number of persons diagnosed with HIV infection receiving sustained antiretroviral treatment will be increased. Public awareness will be raised on HIV through education at all levels.
A Health Planning Unit will be established by the Ministry of Health and the Environment to oversee the implementation of the National Strategic Plan for Health, including the development of requisite operational plans, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.