A disciplinary proceeding against Dr. Griffin Benjamin, Director of Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, commenced on Thursday amid serious allegations concerning his professional conduct. The hearing, which follows a formal complaint received by the Ministry of Health, seeks to determine whether Dr. Benjamin breached regulations during his tenure.
Dr. Benjamin, a Dominican national, was placed on administrative leave with full salary pending investigation. Legal representatives, including Attorney Radford Hill and his daughter, are defending the psychiatrist throughout the proceedings.
The case centers on the August 2025 admission and treatment of an American student from the American University of Antigua who was ordered to undergo a 14-day mandatory hold at Clarevue after exhibiting mental health challenges. The patient was discharged after 12 days.
Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph confirmed the matter has entered legal jurisdiction, preventing the ministry from disclosing findings from its internal investigation. “The Ministry of Health takes seriously the conduct of all health care individuals,” Joseph stated, emphasizing the need to respect the ongoing legal process.
According to documents obtained by Antigua.News, Dr. Benjamin received stringent restrictions during his leave, including prohibitions on performing official duties, accessing government health facilities or records, and traveling outside Antigua and Barbuda without written authorization.
Central to the allegations is the administration of a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication not listed on the government formulary and allegedly procured outside official channels. Reports indicate patients were charged $150 for the drug through unofficial mechanisms. However, sources familiar with regional medical practices note that the medication has been routinely used throughout Antigua and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), appearing on multiple regional formularies—raising questions about procurement protocols and institutional oversight.
The Ministry maintains that these measures are precautionary and do not imply wrongdoing, characterizing the process as strictly fact-finding.