{"id":242217,"date":"2025-07-03T10:41:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T14:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=242217"},"modified":"2025-07-03T11:06:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T15:06:53","slug":"antigua-and-barbuda-cabinet-approves-longer-clinic-hours-to-better-serve-elderly-and-working-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/antigua-and-barbuda-cabinet-approves-longer-clinic-hours-to-better-serve-elderly-and-working-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet Approves Longer Clinic Hours to Better Serve Elderly and Working Families"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cabinet Approves Longer Clinic Hours to Better Serve Elderly and Working Families<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cabinet <\/a><\/strong>of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a proposal to extend public clinic opening hours into evenings and weekends, responding to widespread calls for more accessible healthcare services.<\/p>

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During Wednesday\u2019s post-Cabinet media briefing, Director General Maurice Merchant highlighted the issue following a recent health fair hosted by United Hands Inc. and the Seventh\u2011day Adventist Church. <\/p>

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The event drew over 1,110 attendees in just three days \u2014 including more than 400 children \u2014 revealing significant unmet demand for dental, vision, and elderly care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merchant emphasised that many elderly citizens depend on family members who work conventional hours, making weekday morning clinic visits difficult.<\/p>

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The government believes that by extending hours into the late afternoon, evenings and potentially weekends, elderly and working families will find it easier to access necessary care \u2014 including dental, optometry, and general health services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tests conducted at the health fair \u2014 such as root canals, fluoride and sealant treatments for children, and vision screenings \u2014 revealed that families face both high costs and restrictive schedules when accessing services. <\/p>

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This has prompted the Cabinet <\/a><\/strong>to prioritise reforms aimed at improving service delivery.<\/p>

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Possible changes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n