{"id":273777,"date":"2026-04-22T08:17:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=273777"},"modified":"2026-04-22T08:23:01","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:23:01","slug":"upp-candidate-jonathan-joseph-says-cancer-patients-enduring-hell-pledges-urgent-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/upp-candidate-jonathan-joseph-says-cancer-patients-enduring-hell-pledges-urgent-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"UPP Candidate Jonathan Joseph Says Cancer Patients Enduring \u2018Hell,\u2019 Pledges Urgent Reform"},"content":{"rendered":"
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UPP Candidate Jonathan Joseph Says Cancer Patients Enduring \u2018Hell,\u2019 Pledges Urgent Reform<\/strong><\/p>

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Jonathan Joseph, the United Progressive Party candidate for St. Mary\u2019s North, delivered a stark account of cancer suffering in Antigua and Barbuda, saying patients are enduring \u201chell\u201d to access care and vowing that a UPP government would urgently reopen the country\u2019s cancer centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt pains my heart\u2026 to see the number of persons who are suffering from cancer,\u201d Joseph told supporters at a rally, pointing to what he described as a growing crisis affecting women and even teenagers.<\/p>

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He described the struggles patients face in accessing treatment, saying, \u201cthe hell that they\u2019re going through to get the kind of assistance that they need\u201d is being overlooked by those in authority.<\/p>

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Joseph anchored his remarks in personal experience within his constituency, recounting the case of a mother who, he said, \u201cneglect her own care\u2026 suffering from cancer to ensure that her young daughter\u2026 gets the attention,\u201d only to die before her child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s sick people must get well,\u201d he said, arguing that healthcare should be centered on compassion and access rather than politics.<\/p>

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The St. Mary\u2019s North candidate sharply criticized the current administration, saying, \u201cthis current administration has made a mockery of healthcare in this country. They mash up everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He framed cancer care as a central failure, telling the crowd, \u201cthis issue of cancer and treatment\u2026 I am making a commitment to you that the United Progressive Party will ensure that the cancer center is reopened in the shortest period of time.\u201d<\/p>

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\u201cBecause people matter,\u201d he added.<\/p>

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Joseph also pointed to broader reforms, promising extended hours at community clinics and an overall upgrade of the healthcare system. \u201cWe will ensure that extended hours is done in the community clinics,\u201d he said, adding that the UPP has \u201cthe skills\u2026 the talents\u2026 and the drive\u201d to build a system \u201cthat is envied in this hemisphere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Describing the sector as being in crisis, he said, \u201cthe healthcare is in a crisis in this country\u2026 and only the United Progressive Party can fix it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joseph also tied his personal credibility to the issue, saying, \u201cit would be an indictment upon me\u2026 to have healthcare stay in this country the way it is,\u201d pledging that significant improvements would follow if he serves in government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His speech blended emotional testimony with political messaging, urging voters to act not just for themselves but for vulnerable relatives. \u201cThis is not a movie. It is real life\u2026 real people\u2019s lives that are being affected,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joseph called on voters to support the UPP in the April 30 general election, arguing that meaningful change in healthcare \u2014 particularly for cancer patients \u2014 depends on a change in government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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