Following its recent weekly policy meeting, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has given formal approval to a slate of leadership appointments for statutory and advisory bodies falling under the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs. The changes mark a key step in the government’s ongoing institutional renewal agenda, launched in the wake of the general election held on April 30 this year.
The most high-profile of the confirmed appointments is the new leadership team for the board of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, the country’s leading public healthcare facility. Dr. Philmore Benjamin will take on the role of executive chairman, with Dr. Edward Mansoor stepping into the position of deputy chairman. Completing the 10-member board are Martin Camacho, who will serve as board secretary, alongside regular members Dr. Karen Josiah, Randy Agrippa, Kasmin Green, Akeem Edwards, and Kiva Dean. Two senior public health officials will hold ex officio seats on the board: Kevin Silston from the national Medical Benefits Scheme, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kamara De Castro.
The Cabinet’s approvals extended beyond the hospital’s governing board to two other critical public institutions under the health ministry portfolio. Veteran nurse Margaret Smith was named as the new chair of the Antigua and Barbuda Nursing Council, the statutory body tasked with upholding professional training and practice standards for the country’s nursing workforce, and guaranteeing consistent high-quality care for patients across all healthcare settings. Dan Lee Phillip was also appointed as chairman of the board for the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the agency responsible for public waste collection, disposal and environmental sanitation across the nation.
Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant publicly confirmed the full list of appointments during a post-Cabinet media briefing held on Friday. He clarified that all nominations for the roles were first submitted to Cabinet for review by Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph, before receiving final formal approval. Merchant emphasized that the appointments are not isolated personnel changes, but an integrated part of the new administration’s broader plan to strengthen core public sector institutions after taking office following the general election.