The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) has received a substantial philanthropic boost with a EC$228,690 donation from the Mill Reef Fund, marking a significant enhancement to the hospital’s critical care capabilities. This strategic investment will directly fund specialized medical equipment across three essential service areas: emergency care, surgical operations, and respiratory treatment services.
The contribution enables the acquisition of cutting-edge medical technology, including a state-of-the-art laparoscopic tower that replaces outdated equipment to ensure superior precision in minimally invasive procedures. The donation also funds an advanced electrocardiogram (EKG) machine for enhanced cardiac monitoring within operating theaters, alongside twelve specialized recliners designed to expand capacity and improve patient comfort in the Emergency Department’s Asthma Bay.
Medical Director Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis emphasized the transformative nature of this support, stating that the investment drives fundamental improvements in care delivery across the hospital’s most critical departments. The modernization of surgical facilities with new laparoscopic technology and enhanced patient monitoring systems substantially elevates treatment standards and precision, while the Asthma Bay expansion enables more effective patient management during high-demand periods.
Helene van Beuren, Chair of the Mill Reef Fund, reinforced the organization’s decades-long commitment to supporting Antigua and Barbuda’s health infrastructure, noting that the hospital plays a vital role in community well-being and requires adequate tools to deliver quality care. This donation represents the latest chapter in a long-standing partnership that has become an essential pillar of the nation’s healthcare system, reflecting shared dedication to improving health outcomes for all residents who depend on SLBMC’s services.