Residents of Antigua and Barbuda are receiving expanded access to primary and urgent care services, as the country’s Ministry of Health has rolled out extended operating hours at two local community health centers. The policy adjustment, designed to address gaps in after-hours healthcare access, brings longer service hours to both Grays Farm Health Centre and Clare Hall Health Centre, which are now welcoming patients from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.
A wide range of essential care services is available to patients during these extended windows, covering everything from routine general medical check-ins and consultations to urgent care for acute health events. Patients can receive treatment for acute wound care and lacerations, as well as intervention for sudden, urgent conditions including acute asthma attacks, dehydration, and gastroenteritis. The centers also support patients managing long-term uncontrolled chronic conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes, by offering ongoing care outside of traditional 9-to-5 operating windows.
The Ministry of Health noted that the rollout of extended hours is a phased initiative, with two additional facilities — Brownes Avenue Health Center and the Villa Polyclinic — scheduled to transition to longer operating hours at a future date. Officials have confirmed that a finalized revised timeline for the expansion to these two sites will be shared publicly as soon as the details are finalized.
In a statement, the Ministry emphasized that expanding convenient, equitable access to high-quality healthcare across the twin-island nation remains a top priority, and the phased launch of extended community health center hours marks a key step forward in delivering on that commitment.