Antigua and Barbuda’s Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph has provided a detailed explanation for the extended shutdown of the All Saints Community Clinic, citing critical sewage system failures and safety hazards that rendered the facility unsuitable for patient care. The disclosure came during a recent government briefing addressing community concerns over the prolonged closure.
Minister Joseph revealed that the decision to close the clinic followed years of complaints from nursing staff about sewage fumes infiltrating essential areas of the building, including food preparation and dining spaces. The minister characterized these conditions as ‘unacceptable for healthcare delivery,’ emphasizing that the problems required comprehensive infrastructure solutions rather than temporary fixes.
Technical investigations identified improperly designed drainage pipes as the core issue, creating persistent foul odors and genuine health risks that necessitated major corrective action. Joseph defended the government’s approach of keeping the facility closed until fundamental infrastructure problems could be properly addressed, rather than resorting to premature reopening.
The renovation plan involves a complete redesign of the sewage system, repair of existing leaks, and facility expansion to accommodate new services including a dental clinic and enlarged pharmacy department. While acknowledging community frustration, Joseph countered claims that residents have been deprived of healthcare, noting that patients have been redirected to nearby facilities including Glanvilles Polyclinic, though he conceded transportation challenges exist and improvements are being pursued.
The government’s objective is to reopen All Saints as a modernized healthcare facility meeting elevated public health and safety standards. Completion timelines remain dependent on progress with the necessary infrastructure work, with health officials promising further updates as designs are finalized and repairs advance.