{"id":267685,"date":"2026-02-20T06:44:33","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T10:44:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=267685"},"modified":"2026-02-20T07:58:22","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T11:58:22","slug":"granville-polyclinic-to-get-pharmacy-laboratory-and-diagnostic-services-joseph-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/granville-polyclinic-to-get-pharmacy-laboratory-and-diagnostic-services-joseph-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Glanville Polyclinic to Get Pharmacy, Laboratory and Diagnostic Services, Joseph Says"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph has announced a series of healthcare upgrades for the Glanville Polyclinic, including plans for an in-house pharmacy, laboratory services, EKG testing and ultrasound capabilities.<\/p>

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Speaking at a town hall meeting in the constituency, Joseph said the Ministry of Health will expand primary healthcare services in the coming months to reduce the need for residents to travel to St. John\u2019s for routine medical care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOne of the first things we intend to do is to establish a pharmacy \u2014 right here in this clinic,\u201d Joseph told residents. He noted that a similar model has already been implemented in Villa and said the goal is to allow patients to fill prescriptions within their own community.<\/p>

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The minister also announced plans to introduce laboratory services at the facility, enabling residents to access basic medical tests without leaving St. Philip\u2019s North.<\/p>

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\u201cWe are going to establish a laboratory in this polyclinic so you can get certain basic laboratory exams done in the polyclinic,\u201d he said, adding that strengthening primary care would help ease pressure on the main hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, Joseph said electrocardiogram (EKG) services will be introduced at the clinic, allowing patients experiencing chest pain or cardiac symptoms to receive diagnostic testing locally.<\/p>

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\u201cIf you feel you have a pain in your chest and you feel vulnerable, you don\u2019t have to take a car and go all the way to St. John\u2019s,\u201d he said. \u201cIt will be done right here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultrasound services \u2014 particularly important for pregnant women \u2014 are also planned for the facility. Joseph described ultrasound as one of the most sought-after services in the healthcare system and said the addition would significantly improve maternal care within the community.<\/p>

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The upgrades form part of a broader effort to strengthen primary healthcare delivery across Antigua and Barbuda, the minister said.<\/p>

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\u201cHealth is wealth,\u201d Joseph told the gathering, arguing that accessible community-based services are essential to improving overall public health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the government will continue expanding services at the Granville Polyclinic over the coming months as part of what he described as a \u201cmajor transformation\u201d for St. Philip\u2019s North.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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