A landmark moment for public healthcare in Antigua and Barbuda unfolded on [date of ceremony], when Governor-General, The Right Honorable Sir Rodney Williams, led the formal swearing-in ceremony for the newly assembled Board of Directors of the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre at Government House. All appointments to the new leadership body received formal approval from the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet during its scheduled sitting on June 4, 2026, paving the way for the incoming board to officially take up their duties at the nation’s leading public healthcare facility.
During the ceremonial proceedings, each incoming board member stood before Governor-General Williams to recite the required Oaths or Affirmations of Allegiance, Office, and Secrecy, a mandatory step to formalize their assumption of public office. After administering the oaths, Governor-General Williams oversaw the next steps of the ceremony: each member signed the official legal documentation confirming their appointment and received their personalized Instrument of Appointment marking their new role.
The Honourable Michael Joseph, who serves as Minister of Health, Wellness, the Environment and Civil Service Affairs, was also in attendance at the ceremony to extend official government greetings to the incoming leadership team, joining Governor-General Williams in welcoming the board members to their posts.
The new 10-member board brings together a diverse mix of medical professionals, administrative leaders and community representatives, structured to support comprehensive governance of the medical centre. Leadership of the board will be headed by Chairman, the Honourable Dr. Philmore Benjamin, with Dr. Edmond Mansoor stepping into the role of Deputy Chairman. Martin Camacho will serve as Board Secretary, while the full voting membership of the board includes Dr. Karen Josiah, Randy Agrippa, Casmin Greene, Akeem Edwards, and Keva Dean. Two ex-officio members round out the board: Kevin Silston representing the Medical Benefits Scheme, and Dr. Kamaria DeCastro, Antigua and Barbuda’s Chief Medical Officer.
In his opening address following the swearing-in, Governor-General Williams offered warm congratulations to all board members on their appointments, while underlining the profound importance of the role they have undertaken. He stressed that the board bears the critical responsibility of delivering strategic direction and robust, ethical governance for the country’s flagship public healthcare institution.
Governor-General Williams urged the new leadership to carry out their duties with unwavering integrity, consistent diligence, and a persistent commitment to delivering the highest standard of care. He reminded the board that every policy decision and governance choice they make will have a direct, tangible impact on the quality of healthcare services accessible to the entire population of Antigua and Barbuda. The Governor-General also placed particular emphasis on three core values that will underpin the board’s success: collaborative working across all levels of the medical centre, transparent accountability to the public, and a willingness to embrace innovative solutions to ongoing healthcare challenges. As the board partners with the medical centre’s executive management, frontline medical professionals and all support staff, these values will be key to strengthening Antigua and Barbuda’s national healthcare system as a whole, he added.
Speaking on behalf of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, Governor-General Williams closed his remarks by extending his best wishes for a productive and successful tenure to the Chairman and all board members as they take up their critical national service roles. The Office of the Governor-General has also issued a separate statement extending formal congratulations to the entire incoming board, noting that it looks forward to seeing the board’s contributions to the ongoing improvement and expansion of high-quality healthcare services at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre in the coming years.