The Cayman Islands Government is inviting the community to help shape the future of health through a programme of legislative reform that will modernise the country's health legislation and strengthen how the Cayman Islands protects the health and wellbeing of current and future generations. Representing one of the most significant reforms of the Cayman Islands' health legislation in decades, this suite of legislative proposals is designed to create a stronger, more modern and coordinated framework for public health, environmental health, healthcare regulation and tobacco control. Together, these reforms will strengthen prevention, improve preparedness, support evidence-based decision-making and ensure the Cayman Islands is better equipped to respond to the health challenges of today and tomorrow. Beginning in August, residents, healthcare professionals, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to review the proposals, attend town hall meetings and stakeholder sessions, and provide feedback before the legislation is finalised. A 28-day public consultation period is then scheduled to commence on 21 August. Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, said the programme reflects Government's commitment to building a healthier, more resilient Cayman Islands.
"This programme of legislative reform is our vision for the future of health in these Islands. It recognises that protecting the health of our people requires modern laws, strong institutions and meaningful community participation. These proposals lay the foundation for a healthier, safer and more resilient Cayman Islands for generations to come. "The world has changed significantly over the past two decades. We have experienced a global pandemic, emerging infectious diseases, changing environmental risks, rapid advances in healthcare, and new public health challenges such as the rise of vaping among young people. Our legislation must evolve to meet these challenges and ensure we are prepared not only for today's needs, but for those of future generations.
"Public Health Bill, 2026 At the heart of the programme is the proposed Public Health Bill, which modernises the legislative framework for protecting and improving the health of the population.
The Bill establishes a dedicated Department of Public Health with responsibility for population health surveillance, disease prevention, public health programmes,research, specialist advice and emergency preparedness. It also strengthens the framework for preventing and controlling infectious diseases, enhances national public health surveillance and reporting, formally establishes the statutory roles of the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Nursing Officer, and provides for the designation and quality standards of public health laboratories.
Environmental Health Bill, 2026 Complementing these reforms is the proposed Environmental Health Bill, which will establish the Cayman Islands' first standalone Environmental Health Act. For the first time, the legislation will provide a dedicated legal framework defining the powers and responsibilities of the Department of Environmental Health, the Director of Environmental Health and Environmental Health Officers. The Bill recognises environmental health as a critical pillar of public health by providing a modern framework for protecting the places where people live, work and gather. It covers a broad range of environmental health functions including food safety and hygiene, drinking water quality, laboratory services, statutory nuisances, potentially harmful trades, air quality, noise and vibration, waste management, sanitation, vector control and enforcement measures. Together, these provisions will equip the Department of Environmental Health with modern powers to educate, regulate and act where public health is at risk while helping to build cleaner communities, safer spaces and stronger protection for everyone. Minister Ebanks-Wilks said the legislation recognises the close relationship between public health and environmental health.
"Health begins long before someone walks into a doctor's office or hospital. It is shaped by the quality of our environment, the safety of our food and water, effective waste management, sanitation, vector control and the communities in which we live, work and raise our families. Public health and environmental health are inseparable. Together, they create the conditions that allow people and communities to thrive. By introducing dedicated legislation for both public health and environmental health, we are recognising the importance of each discipline while strengthening the connection between them. This is about creating a more coordinated, modern and resilient health system that protects everyone in our Islands." Health Practice (Amendment) Bill, 2026 The legislative package also includes amendments to the Health Practice Act, which strengthen governance arrangements by enabling councils established under the Act to delegate specific statutory functions to committees. These amendments provide greater operational flexibility while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability across the regulation of healthcare professions. One of the first practical applications of the proposed amendments will support the transition of the Ruth Eleanor McLaughlin School of Nursing to local oversight under the Cayman Islands Nursing and Midwifery Council.
The legislation will enable the council to establish an education committee to help ensure that educational institutions, curricula, and training programs meet the standards required for safe and competent professional practice in the Cayman Islands. Tobacco (Amendment) Bill, 2026 In addition, Government is introducing proposed amendments to the Tobacco Act, including measures to regulate vaping products, better protect children and young people from nicotine addiction, restrict the use of vaping products to persons aged 18 years and older, and prohibit disposable vaping products.
The proposed amendments respond to growing concerns about the rapid rise in vaping, particularly among young people, and address a significant gap in the current Tobacco Act, which does not explicitly regulate vaping products. The Minister emphasised that public consultation will play a vital role in shaping the final legislation. "These reforms belong to the people of the Cayman Islands. They will shape how we protect public health, respond to emergencies, regulate healthcare professions, protect our environment and improve the health of future generations.
"That is why we want people to participate. Read the consultation documents. Attend a town hall meeting. Ask questions. Challenge us where you think we can do better and tell us what matters most to you. Whether you are a healthcare professional, environmental practitioner, educator, business owner, parent, student or resident, your voice matters. The strongest legislation is legislation that has been informed by the people it is designed to serve." As part of the consultation programme, MHES will be hosting community town hall meetings across all three islands to provide information on the proposed reforms and gather public feedback. TOWN HALL SCHEDULE Environmental Health Focus - Town Halls West Bay – Monday, 3 August, 7pm-9pm Venue: John Gray Memorial Church Hall George Town/Red Bay – Tuesday, 4 August, 7pm – 9pm Venue: Seafarer’s Hall
Health Legislation Focus Town Halls West Bay – Wednesday, 26 August, 6:30pm – 8:30pm Venue: John Gray Memorial Church Hall George Town – Thursday, 27 August, 6:30pm – 8:30pm Venue: Constitution Hall Sister Island Town Halls Cayman Brac – Friday, 7 August, 5:00-7:00pm Venue: Aston Rutty Civic Centre Little Cayman – Saturday, 8 August, 1:00pm – 3:00pm Venue: Little Cayman Beach Resort Consultation documents and information on how to provide feedback will be available at gov.ky/mhes and on MHES social media channels.