Government Moves to Strengthen Cardiac and Primary Healthcare Services
The Minister of Health, the Hon. Molwyn Joseph, informed the Cabinet of a troubling trend identified by senior medical practitioners at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre—a growing and alarming rise in cases of heart disease and related conditions.
According to the Minister, patients are now being admitted and treated for heart-related issues on a near-weekly basis, a situation described as reaching crisis proportions.
In response, the Cabinet immediately approved the Minister’s request to engage a Chinese cardiologist to help establish a fully operational Cardiology Unit at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.
This unit will be outfitted with a state-of-the-art catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab) and modern diagnostic equipment to treat and manage heart diseases effectively.
The Cabinet also directed the Minister to commission a comprehensive study to determine the root causes of the increase in cardiovascular complications.
The findings will inform the Government’s development of targeted public health interventions aimed at addressing hypertension, obesity, and diabetes—key risk factors that must be tackled to reduce premature deaths and improve national health outcomes.
Further, the Cabinet approved funding for the immediate procurement of additional endoscopes and colonoscopes for the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. The Minister was also instructed to initiate the hiring process for a dedicated consultant specializing in endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures.
To bolster primary healthcare services, the Cabinet approved the appointment of Dr. Philmore Benjamin as a consultant to improve the effectiveness of community clinics.
As the first point of contact for individuals accessing healthcare, primary care is essential—it must be accessible, affordable, and community-centered, with an emphasis on prevention, wellness, and the treatment of common illnesses.
Strengthening primary care is crucial to promoting health equity and achieving universal health coverage.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved several infrastructure projects: the construction of a new polyclinic in Jennings, the expansion of the Clare Hall Clinic into a polyclinic, and the upgrade of the Old Road Clinic—all aimed at improving healthcare delivery across Antigua and Barbuda.
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Wait…the physician who gives plenty plenty time off to everyone will tell all doctors to give as much time off as possible to heal hearts
a real major undertaking for a government that has been so don’t give a damn ..let’s see if you can pull it off
The focus on healthcare infrastructure across the island is essential. Too many clinics have been neglected for years, and this program to repair and upgrade them using innovative materials could be a game changer. Polyclinics are key to delivering more comprehensive care closer to home, and the expansion of Clare Hall Clinic fits that need perfectly. The success of Villa and Glanvilles Polyclinics sets a good precedent, but it will require sustained investment and management to ensure all these projects meet community expectations.
Building and upgrading clinics is exactly what we need, better healthcare starts with strong primary care.
you need to get these clinics going …remember Lionel I’d not well
what is the root cause of these “HEART-RELATED issues”??????? Is it the KFC and greasy shawarma that a clog them arteries?
Rovi, let me shake your hand. If we walk from house to house preaching healthy eating yet on every corner is a fast food joint, what progress is made? Cabinet really needs a summer break jack, cause they wasting time and money trying to make the health minister happy. He needs to admit that covid has a link to blood clots.
Why a Chinese cardiologist?
Is this person ‘free or minimum wage’?
We have well qualified Caribbean cardiologist’s who have ability to create a department, a blueprint for operation of said department and willingness to train existing & new team upwards.
Or would that cost more?
The PM really asked the Min of Health WHY increased heart illnesses in Antigua?
Oh my.
Another study coming to tell us what we know long time
Type of food being eaten ( chemicals & hormones in food)
Lack of exercise
Lack of personal responsibility for own health