A devastating fire that tore through Gambles Medical Centre in St. John’s has prompted the Antigua and Barbuda Dental Association to issue an official statement of solidarity and support for the dozens of medical and legal professionals who lost their workspaces and critical resources in the blaze. The association has shared that its leadership and membership are deeply shaken and saddened by the sudden, destructive event that has upended operations for dozens of providers at the multi-use medical facility.
Among those hardest hit by the fire is Dr. Bernard Evan-Wong, owner of Gambles Medical Centre and a former Treasurer of the Antigua and Barbuda Dental Association. His dental practice, along with that of associate Dr. Sarika Mooteram, suffered extensive damage to clinical spaces, specialized dental equipment, and years of confidential patient records. The destruction extends far beyond dental care: six additional medical specialists, including oncologist Dr. Hanybal Yazigi, obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Leon B. Stevens, internist and rheumatologist Dr. Sharon Cordner, pediatrician Dr. Edda Hadeed, and surgeon Dr. Asha Robins, also lost all of their clinic infrastructure and patient documentation in the fire. Several attorneys and other non-medical professionals who maintained office spaces at the centre have also suffered major losses, including irreplaceable legal and professional records.
In the statement released by association president Dr. Deborah Akande — a credentialed dental professional with DDS, FAGD, FICD and MBA qualifications — the organization emphasized that this tragedy reaches far beyond the personal and professional setbacks for the providers who work at the facility. It marks a significant loss for the entire nation of Antigua and Barbuda, as thousands of local patients and clients rely on these practitioners for essential, life-sustaining care and critical services. The disruption created by the fire will inevitably create challenges for community members accessing routine and specialized care in the coming weeks and months.
The entire association extended its deepest thoughts and prayers to all affected providers, their clinical and administrative teams, and the families of those impacted, who are navigating the uncertainty and loss of this devastating event. Dr. Akande’s statement closed with a respectful request to the general public, asking for patience, understanding and compassion as these professionals work to assess the full scope of their losses and begin the long process of rebuilding their practices. The association expressed unwavering confidence that the affected providers will draw on deep reserves of resilience and determination to overcome this tragedy, and will eventually resume their vital service to the Antigua and Barbuda community, stronger than they were before.