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Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability

@hes.cayman

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Official page of the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, Cayman Islands Government.

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To wrap up our World Migratory Bird Day 2026 spotlight, meet our final globe-trotting guest: the Sanderling! 🐚

These energetic shorebirds fly all the way from the High Arctic to rest on Cayman’s sandy beaches. Look closely next time you’re by the shore, you might spot them darting through the waves! 🏖️

From backward-flying acrobats to fearless bee hunters, this week showed us just how special our seasonal visitors really are.

Thank you for celebrating World Migratory Bird Day with us! Remember, Every Bird Counts! 🐦✨ by @hes.cayman

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2 days ago

Acadian Flycatchers are such incredible aviators that they don't wade into the water; they dive right in, splash the surface with their chest, and fly straight back to a branch to dry off. Plus, they're one of the few birds that can actually fly backwards! 🪽

Check back tomorrow for the next Migratory Bird Spotlight as we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2026 - Every Bird Counts!🐦 by @hes.cayman

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3 days ago

A specialist in bees and wasps, this clever bird beats its prey against a branch and carefully rubs away the stinger before eating. Once the guard wasps are gone, it rips open the nest to harvest the grubs inside. Keep an eye out for these master hunters in Cayman this season! 🐝

Check back tomorrow for the next Migratory Bird Spotlight as we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2026 - Every Bird Counts!🐦 by @hes.cayman

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4 days ago

Unlike most shorebirds, Buff-breasted Sandpipers forage in dry, grassy habitats, not wetlands. These birds can be found locally in large grass fields across the islands. Sadly, extensive loss of grasslands along their migration route has contributed to heavy population declines, leading the Buff-breasted Sandpiper to be listed as Vulnerable in the Global IUCN Red List (2025).

Check back tomorrow for the next Migratory Bird Spotlight as we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2026 - Every Bird Counts!🐦 by @hes.cayman

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5 days ago

This small, lively wood warbler can be found in the Cayman Islands from August to May, where it visits mangrove forests, woodlands, and even urban areas. This bird is often seen repeatedly dashing through trees and bushes after unseen insects, or prancing along branches, rapidly spreading and closing its black-and-yellow or black-and-orange tail. Perfect for spooky season!🎃

Check back tomorrow for the next Migratory Bird Spotlight as we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2026 - Every Bird Counts!🐦 by @hes.cayman

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6 days ago

This bird, often found in Cayman Brac, is a common winter visitor to our islands. The Black-and-white Warbler is the only member of the genus Mniotilta. The genus name means “moss-plucking,” a reference to its habit of probing bark and moss for insects.🦗

Check back tomorrow for the next Migratory Bird Spotlight as we celebrate World Migratory Bird Day 2026 - Every Bird Counts!🐦 by @hes.cayman

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7 days ago

World Migratory Bird Day 2026: Every Bird Counts - Your Observations Matter! 🐦🦆🦜🐦‍⬛

As migration season reaches its peak across the Caribbean, countless species are arriving to our shores to rest, feed, and overwinter on our shores.

Under this year’s theme, Every Bird Counts, we’ll be highlighting some of the remarkable migratory species that depend on Cayman’s ecosystems during their long journeys.

Follow along daily as we celebrate our seasonal wildlife and learn how protecting local habitats supports global biodiversity! 🪽 by @hes.cayman

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8 days ago

Your mental health matters. Today, and every day.

Life can bring challenges that feel overwhelming, but no one should have to face them alone. Whether you are experiencing stress, anxiety, grief or other difficulties, reaching out for support is a sign of strength. A simple conversation, a listening ear or seeking professional help can make a meaningful difference.

💚 Take a moment today to care for your mental health: • Check in with yourself and someone you care about. • Make time for rest, connection and activities that support your wellbeing. • Reach out for help when you need it, and encourage others to do the same.

📍 Support is available here in the Cayman Islands:
▫️CayMind – Call 1-800-534-6463 (MIND) for free, Monday to Friday 6pm to 11pm; confidential support for adults experiencing emotional distress or mental health challenges. Visit caymind.ky for more information.

▫️Department of Counselling Services – Access counselling and support for individuals and families. Call 949-8789 or email counselling.services@gov.ky. Visit dcs.gov.ky to learn more.

▫️Kids Helpline – Children and young people can access information and support at kidshelpline.ky. Call 649-5437 during its operating hours, Thursday to Sunday, 3pm to 9pm.

▫️Alex’s Place (HSA) – For individuals aged 10 – 20. Mental health assessment and support, crisis response and multidisciplinary care. Walk-ins and referrals accepted. Call 244-7856, Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, or at risk of harm, call 911.

Let us continue to break down stigma, support one another and build a Cayman Islands where mental health is valued, understood and prioritised.

#WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealthMatters by @hes.cayman

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8 days ago

The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability has today opened public consultation on proposals to establish a National Cancer Registry for the Cayman Islands, aimed at giving the country reliable national data to better understand, prevent and respond to cancer.

The consultation, which runs from 5 October to 15 November 2026, follows the publication of the National Cancer Registry Discussion White Paper, announced in Parliament by Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, MP.

The White Paper sets out proposals for systematically collecting and analysing information about cancer in the Cayman Islands, including cancer incidence and prevalence, treatment patterns, survival and mortality.

The Cayman Islands does not currently have comprehensive population-based cancer data to guide prevention, early detection, treatment planning and health-service delivery at a national level. Establishing a National Cancer Registry would provide a more reliable picture of the cancers affecting the population, who is being affected and how those patterns change over time.

According to 2025 figures from the Economics and Statistics Office cited by the Minister in Parliament, malignant neoplasms accounted for 20.7 per cent of deaths in the Cayman Islands, approximately one in five deaths, making cancer the second leading cause of death.

Minister Ebanks-Wilks said reliable national data is fundamental to strengthening Cayman’s response to cancer.

“If our cancer rates are broadly consistent with regional averages, we should know that. If they are lower, we should know that too. And if Cayman has higher rates of particular cancers, we need to know that most of all.”

She added: “We cannot address what we do not fully understand. We need reliable national data to understand the burden of cancer in the Cayman Islands, to make informed decisions, to strengthen prevention and screening, and to plan effectively for the future.”

To read the full press release visit gov.ky/news by @hes.cayman

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13 days ago

Health Practice (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2026

The Health Practice (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2026 has been passed in Parliament, providing greater flexibility for the Councils responsible for regulating healthcare professions in the Cayman Islands to carry out their statutory functions.

The Bill amends the Health Practice Act (2026 Revision) to empower each Council to act by sub-committee and to delegate its duties and functions to sub-committees.

Under the amendments, a sub-committee may be made up of members of the respective Council, or may include staff or agents of the Department of Health Regulatory Services, persons co-opted in accordance with the Act, or other persons determined by the Council.

Where a sub-committee includes persons who are not members of the Council appointed under the Act, Cabinet approval is required before the Council can delegate its functions or duties to that sub-committee.

The legislation also establishes safeguards around delegation. Councils will retain the ability to exercise functions that have been delegated, while delegations may be conditional, qualified or limited and may be amended by the Council. Councils must also set out the constitution and procedure of each sub-committee in writing.

Decisions made by a sub-committee in the exercise of delegated functions will be considered decisions of the Council that delegated those functions. The amendments also extend existing immunity provisions to sub-committees and their members in carrying out their functions and duties. by @hes.cayman

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13 days ago

Tobacco (Amendment) Bill, 2026

The Tobacco (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been passed in Parliament, strengthening the Cayman Islands’ legal framework for regulating tobacco, vaping and other nicotine products.

The amendments update the existing Tobacco Act to expressly regulate vaping products and address newer nicotine products that were not covered by the existing legislation. The changes include stronger protections for children and young people, restrictions on access to nicotine products, and measures aimed at reducing exposure to vaping and nicotine use.

Under the amendments, vaping and nicotine products will be subject to age restrictions, with the sale of these products to persons under 18 prohibited. The legislation also prohibits the importation, manufacture, packaging, labelling, sale, advertising and promotion of disposable vaping products.

The amendments also extend existing smoke-free restrictions to vaping, meaning vaping will be subject to restrictions in and around public places where smoking is prohibited.

The legislation is intended to bring vaping and other newer nicotine products within a clearer regulatory framework, while strengthening enforcement and protections against nicotine addiction among children and young people. by @hes.cayman

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13 days ago

This World Mental Health Day, Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre (PRC) invites you to its Open Day to learn more about mental health care and rehabilitation in the Cayman Islands, meet the people behind the work, and discover the journey of recovery and reintegration.

Tour the facility, explore programmes and services available, connect with staff and community partners, and take part in an open and meaningful panel discussion and Q&A on the realities, progress and future of mental health care in Cayman.

📅 World Mental Health Day Open Day, 10 October
📍 Poinciana Rehabilitation Centre, 37 High Rock Drive, East End
🕙 10am – 2:30pm

For more information, contact: ponciana@gov.ky

#WorldMentalHealthDay #PRCOpenDay by @hes.cayman

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