268-462-5522

ehealth2015@gmail.com

Lower Long and High Street St John's, Antigua

Facebook（https://www.facebook.com/investingforwellness/）

Instagram（https://www.instagram.com/p/B74WYhFngzf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&hl=en）

Youtube（https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLvN43ukfYJZSZu51Nn_joA）

Key Executive Arm of Health

The Ministry of Health Headquarters is the key Administrative arm of health, where offices such as the Minister of Health, Permanent Secretary, Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS), Administrative Secretary of Health Institution (ASHI), are located.

Colin B.S. O’Keiffe, BSc, MSc

Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Health, Wellness & the Environment Direct responsibility: Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare & Environmental Affairs

Mantra: Practice Proper Professional Protocol

Colin O’Keiffe is a seasoned public sector leader with a distinguished record of service across several ministries within the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. Since 2012, he has served as Chair of the Principal Institutional Review Board (IRB), and continues to serve as an IRB Consultant.

From 2017 to 2023, Mr. O’Keiffe held the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Barbuda Affairs, followed by a tenure as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation from 2023 to 2025. His current post is with the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, where he has direct oversight for Secondary and Tertiary Healthcare, as well as Environmental Affairs.

In academia, he serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus, specializing in Statistics and Scientific Research.

Mr. O’Keiffe has contributed regionally through service on the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Ethics Board, and as an Executive Member of the Caribbean Network of Research Ethics Committees. He is also a Member of the National Advisory Committee for the Population and Housing Census as well as a Certified: Global Leader in Tobacco Control, Research Ethicist and Leader in International Health.

Mrs. G. Gwendolyn Carter-Joseph

Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS)

Mrs. G. Gwendolyn Carter-Joseph has dedicated nearly 40 years to the Public Service. She spent more than two decades in the Ministry of Health before being transferred to the Ministry of Public Works, where she served for over 15 years, progressing through the ranks from Executive Officer (EO) to Senior Assistant Secretary (SAS). In August 2023, she returned to the Ministry of Health to assume the role of Principal Assistant Secretary.

Mrs. Carter-Joseph holds a Certificate in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Management Studies from the University of the West Indies. She credits much of her professional growth and development to the mentorship of former Permanent Secretaries—Mrs. Euselyn Lewis, Mrs. Barbara Belle, and Mr. Lauckland Lake—whose guidance played a significant role in shaping her path and strengthening her commitment to public service.

Dr. Desrie M. Southwell (-Akez)

Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS)

Ms. Desrie M. Southwell (-Akez) holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from pace University in New York, and is undergoing studies leading to a MBA from the university of the West Indies. Ms. Akez has fifteen years in the government service and has worked in New York for over five years. The PAS is the second ranked Civil Servant after the Permanent Secretary who gives advice on Human Resources, government finance, and is considered the floor manager of day to day activities in the absence of the Permanent Secretary. The PAS will assume responsibilities of managing the Ministry.

Ms.Marsha Joseph

Principal Assistant Secretary (PAS)

Ms. Marsha V Joseph has been a Civil Servant for over twenty-eight (28) years where she worked at several Ministries in a myriad of capacities. She is presently a Principal Assistant Secretary with assigned duties of Human Resource Officer at the Ministries Headquarters.

Ms. Joseph graduated from the Monroe College with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with concentration in Human Resource Management and also earned a Certificate in Project Management from the University of the West Indies. The Principal Assistant Secretary liaises with the Permanent Secretary on matters regarding the appointments, promotions, transfers of Established personnel and employment of Non-Established Officers within the Ministry of Health.

Ms. Ann-Marie Zachariah-King

Administrative Secretary of Health Institution (ASHI)

Ms. Ann-Marie Zachariah-King began her career in public service in 1984 as a Civil Servant with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. She is a Registered Nurse and Certified Midwife, with specialized training in Infection Prevention and Control. For many years, she served as the Nurse-in-Charge of this critical discipline, gaining extensive experience and in-depth expertise that have significantly informed her leadership and contributions in healthcare administration.

In March 2024, Ms. Zachariah-King was appointed Assistant Secretary for Health Institutions. In this capacity, she holds administrative oversight of several key health facilities, including the Care Project, Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, the Fiennes Institute, and the Community Clinics across the nation. Her core responsibilities include, liaising with healthcare professionals, stakeholders, and partner agencies, consulting with medical and administrative teams to improve service standards, efficient and effective operation of all assigned institutions to meet national healthcare goals and the monitoring and evaluating institutional performance. Ms. Zachariah-King remains committed to advancing healthcare services and enhancing the quality of care delivered to the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda.

Key Senior Technical Officers

Key Senior Technical Officers stationed at the Headquaters, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Principal Nursing Officer (PNO)

Dr. Rhonda Sealey- Thomas

Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

Dr. Rhonda Sealey- Thomas holds an under graduate Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from University of the West Indies (UWI).