The Anguilla Community Action Network (ACAN) was pleased to have the Hon. Premier, Dr. Lorenzo Webster, along with Minister of Social Development, Hon. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Kenneth Hodge, join the first ACAN 2020 meeting after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
The meeting of roughly 15 participants, including members and advisors of ACAN, convened on Thursday, 16 July, at the Ministry of Social Development Conference Room. Mr. John C. Lake, ACAN’s CEO/Founder, chaired the meeting and expressed his excitement over pending linkages with the Government of Anguilla and a range of health professionals and health services in Anguilla. The Honourable Premier expressed his appreciation in attending the meeting. He offered congratulations to ACAN on the recent Health Fair initiative and ongoing community outreach efforts. Dr. Webster mentioned that he is very passionate about, and committed to, the health and wellness of all Anguillians.
Minister Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, who is also an ACAN Advisor, congratulated ACAN for its performance over the years and stated that she was happy to be part of the organization. Minister Kenneth Hodge was very instrumental in naming the organization – ACAN – in its early years of development in 2006 on World AIDS Day. It is rewarding to see how hard he has worked on resolving community social and health issues over the years and now he will do even more as a Minister of Government.
After those important remarks, the meeting continued with open discussion among the nurses, cancer survivors and other members. Dr. Clyde Bryan expressed his appreciation for working with ACAN and the Eastern Caribbean Cancer Centre, Breast Friends of Antigua and Barbuda, the AIDS Secretariat, Women in Touch – Dr. Jozelle Miller of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Fox Chase Cancer Centre in Pennsylvania, USA, during their visit at the Atlantic Star Medical Centre for an outreach programme. Dr. Bryan was impressed with how Anguilla’s patients attending the Cancer Centre in Antigua were well taken care of by Connie’s Comfort Suites and all the support groups of Antigua and Barbuda.
ACAN’s Deputy CEO, Ms. Kurlyn Smith, mentioned her gratitude to the Ministers for sitting around the ACAN table. She also welcomed all members back to the planning committee, and offered a special welcome to ACAN Advisor, Dr. Ronya Foy Connor, Director for Gender Affairs in Anguilla. The meeting was very informative and a number of focussed areas for ACAN, and the community, were discussed to keep aligned with an updated Vision and Mission:
Vision
Breaking the cycle of chronic diseases in Anguilla by ensuring equal access to high quality care, effective and appropriate treatment, nutritional behavioural change and psycho-social and family supports to promote acceptance in Anguilla’s communities so that all rights are protected and all dreams are fulfilled.
Mission
The Anguilla Community Action Network (ACAN) supports persons infected and affected by chronic diseases by eliminating stigma and discrimination through advocacy, education and treatment.
- Press Release
