CABINET NOTES- The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda approved the establishment of a Dental and Eye Clinic in Codrington, Barbuda, as part of the Government’s continued commitment to improving healthcare access and equity across the twin-island state.
For decades, residents of Barbuda have faced significant challenges in accessing reliable dental and eye care services. Procedures such as extractions, fillings, and vision testing required travel to Antigua, posing difficulties for many due to cost, transportation, and weather conditions. The new clinic will eliminate this long-standing disparity by bringing essential oral and vision health services directly to the people of Barbuda.
The project forms a key part of the Government’s National Health Strategic Plan (2021–2025) and the Barbuda Recovery and Resilience Framework, which prioritise equitable access to healthcare and the decentralisation of critical social services. It also aligns with the principles of the Sustainable Island Resource Framework (SIRF) by promoting climate-resilient and community-based infrastructure that enhances quality of life and supports sustainable living on Barbuda.
The Dental and Eye Clinic will be integrated within or adjacent to the Barbuda Health Centre, utilising existing utilities, administrative resources, and security infrastructure. This approach ensures cost-effectiveness and maximises service continuity. The clinic will be staffed initially by a rotating team of dental surgeons and ophthalmologists from Antigua, supported by trained nurses and technicians in Barbuda. Over time, the Ministry of Health will implement training programmes to develop local capacity and promote self-reliance in basic dental and eye care.
Cabinet has authorised the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs to lead the planning, coordination, and implementation of the project. The Ministry will also collaborate with regional and international development partners—including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and other donor agencies—to secure technical assistance, equipment, and complementary funding to strengthen the clinic’s long-term sustainability.
Preparatory works, including site readiness and procurement, are expected to commence within three months, with full operationalisation anticipated within six to eight months of Cabinet’s approval. The Ministry will submit a comprehensive implementation report to Cabinet within three months, detailing the project’s budget, timelines, staffing, and partnership arrangements.
This initiative represents another major step in Government’s mission to ensure that all citizens—regardless of geography—have access to quality healthcare services.
The Cabinet also approved the construction of a Helipad close to the Hanna Thomas Hospital. This will ensure swift transfer of patients between Antigua and Barbuda.
The Cabinet also approved the expansion of a medical laboratory at the Hanna Thomas Hospital along with the establishment of a Blood Bank to serve the hospital.
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This is WONDERFUL NEWS…..now what has the Barbuda Council done to help develop the constituency of Barbuda? Everything a central government???? Well lard. Some real LEECHES and MARGA DARG in Barbuda.
Long overdue there’s a building already on site that use to house the laboratory and dental clinic but the health department of the Barbuda Council sits on they ass only see the land as the only thing that is beneficial to Barbuda.
Thanks to the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda for the vision
Wow,,its only been 8 yrs since Irma,and only now the cabinet see it fit to assist Barbuda with some medical issues, remember now its a twin island state,and barbudan pay taxes to Antigua, but barbudan get treated like a red headed stepchild,so to all the idiots who think barbudan are leeches,please know your facts, and stop spreading this bs….Barbuda might be small,and dont have everything we need,but we are stong.
@Drinkwater
Y’all are not strong. You are LAZY, BADMIND, DRUNKARDS according to your own MP Trevor Walker
There are two public healthcare things that I think the government should address from the beginning. Eye Care and Dental Care. When your population cannot afford Eye Care it is best for the government to provide it or subsidize it. When the population cannot afford Dental Care it should again be the government to provide it. The best place to start by ensuring people have good eye sight and and teeth is when they are young. Therefore every child should receive free eyecare and dental care while going to school. In my old age I am so surprised to see many of my age having bad eyes and bad teeth. Some of them I wish when they speak to me they do not open their mouth, because it is not a nice sight to see them with so many rotten teeth in their mouth. Not to mention their sight and hearing is going to. And they have no money to do something about it. Well thank God I’m financially well, because I have about five implants and that has cost me about $30K so far. I still have some more to do. But I told my friend Max, he would not get me to do those as I’m looking at my grave. You cannot take them them out and sell them when I’m death. If it were gold tooth yes you could take them out and melt the gold. What would Antigua look like if almost all its pensioners have bad eyesight and almost no teeth in their mouth. It is worth investing in Public Health in these areas. Let’s ask the Chinese for assistant. It is better to give all pensioners teeth so they can properly chew their food. Instead of implants they can be given dentures. We already got help with eyecare from several countries, China, Cuba, Trinidad. we just to keep it up. To many of our doctors are just in it for the money. Not many of them remember that they were given scholarships and study grants. There is something called giving back to your community. And for those practicing Christianity, please know that giving back in the form of services is part of tiding. As much as you have done it to the least of these you have done it to me, Jesus said.
There has always been a dental clinic on the hospital grounds. The helipad space was Always A PART OF the development plans over 20 years.. not new.
@Drink Water. According to the BPM CULT LEADER, Barbudans:
“…seem to be on a protracted path of
GAMBLING
IDLENESS
SEXUAL PROMISCUITY
DRUG ABUSE
ALCOHOL ABUSE
BADMINDED-NESS
COVETUOUS-NESS
SELFISHNESS
UNPRODUCTIVITY. People don’t want to work
DECEITFULNESS
People badminded and just covet other people
LACK OF RESPECT FOR OTHERS
LACK OF RESPECT FOR THOSE IN AUTHORITY
Council say work til 4 o’clock or 5 o’clock. You warn go home 10 o’clock
LAZINESS
THE LOVE FOR MONEY
GREEDINESS
And the last one which I find is the most profound for me:
OUR TURNING AWAY FROM GODLY THINGS”.
~Member of Parliament Trevor Walker
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