In July 2025, Afya completed a pivotal health system strengthening visit to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, reinforcing our long-term commitment to partnership and collaboration across the Caribbean. Afya has been active in the region since our founding in 2008. The visit came at a critical juncture, as the country works to address deepening healthcare gaps following the withdrawal of major international donors such as USAID.
Afya’s goal is to advance equitable access to quality care through sustained, needs-driven collaboration. We rescue surplus medical supplies for hospitals and healthcare systems in the U.S. and redistribute them to where they are needed most to address shortages in medical equipment and supplies and ultimately improve health outcomes.
Throughout the visit, Afya’s Founder and CEO, Danielle Butin, and Chief Program Officer, Heather Clark, met with healthcare providers across multiple facilities, where frontline staff shared the stark realities of resource shortages: from the absence of EKG machines in trauma centers to the lack of otoscopes in pediatric units. Nurses consistently emphasized the need for essential items such as wheelchairs, adhesive bandages, and gloves, highlighting the ongoing strain on the healthcare system.
An in-depth discussion with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves marked a key milestone in the trip. The Prime Minister expressed strong enthusiasm for a long-term partnership with Afya, underscoring the government’s recognition of both the urgent needs and Afya’s potential to drive meaningful impact.