分类： health

In a significant move to enhance breast cancer detection and treatment, the primary hospital in Antigua and Barbuda has initiated a fundraising campaign to acquire a state-of-the-art mammogram machine. This initiative, launched during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, aims to bolster screening capabilities and minimize patient waiting times. The hospital has encouraged the public to support the cause by purchasing specially designed awareness pins and wristbands, available at the hospital’s cashier and Woods Pharmacy. Officials have emphasized that all contributions will be directly allocated to the purchase of the new equipment, underscoring its critical role in advancing local healthcare infrastructure and raising nationwide awareness about breast cancer. This effort reflects a broader commitment to improving public health outcomes and ensuring timely access to essential medical services.

In a significant move to enhance healthcare accessibility, St. Paul MP and Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene has unveiled plans to construct new eye and dental clinics in his constituency. The announcement was made during the reopening ceremony of the Cobbs Cross Clinic, which had been closed since 2003. Greene emphasized that the government is in the process of acquiring adjacent land to support this ambitious project, aimed at bringing specialized healthcare services closer to residents of St. Paul, English Harbour, Falmouth, Cobbs Cross, and Piccadilly.

The planned facilities are part of a broader initiative to decentralize healthcare, ensuring that residents in southern Antigua have easier access to diagnostic and preventive services. Greene highlighted that the new clinics will complement the fully modernized Cobbs Cross primary health facility, which has been upgraded to meet contemporary healthcare standards. He described the project as a testament to the government’s long-term investment in the well-being of local communities.

‘This investment is for the people,’ Greene stated. ‘We are committed to expanding the quality of healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that every community has access to the services it deserves.’ The St. Paul MP also praised the Ministries of Health and Works for their collaborative efforts in completing the Cobbs Cross Clinic, adding that the upcoming eye and dental centers will further the government’s focus on improving both preventive and specialized healthcare across the constituency.

The initiative underscores the government’s dedication to addressing healthcare disparities and enhancing the quality of life for residents in underserved areas. With the construction of these new facilities, Greene assured the community that ‘the best is yet to come,’ signaling a brighter future for healthcare in the region.

COBBS CROSS, Antigua — October 6, 2025 — Antigua and Barbuda has made significant strides in its national healthcare infrastructure program, with Prime Minister Gaston Browne announcing the completion of rebuilding or repairing 17 out of the country’s 23 community health clinics. The announcement came during the reopening of the Cobbs Cross Clinic, a facility that had been closed for over two decades. This marks a pivotal moment in the government’s efforts to modernize healthcare access across the nation. Speaking at the event, Browne praised the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Works, emphasizing the importance of restoring essential services in underserved areas. The Cobbs Cross Clinic will now offer a range of services, including maternal and child care, immunizations, chronic disease management, and family planning. Browne highlighted that the government’s strategy focuses on creating a sustainable and modern healthcare system that ensures every citizen has access to dignified care. He also reaffirmed the commitment to completing the remaining six clinics, which will bring the primary healthcare network to full capacity. This progress aligns with broader initiatives such as the upcoming National Health Insurance program and expanded diagnostic services at the community level. The Prime Minister’s remarks underscored the administration’s dedication to equipping each clinic with adequate staffing and resources to deliver reliable, community-based care. “We are building a healthcare system that is not temporary or improvised,” Browne stated. “It is sustainable, modern, and designed to serve every citizen with dignity.”

Antigua and Barbuda’s Health Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph, has announced plans to introduce national health insurance legislation in Parliament during the first quarter of 2026. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the nation’s journey toward universal healthcare coverage. Speaking at the reopening of the Cobbs Cross Clinic, Sir Molwyn emphasized that consultations with the University of the West Indies on the design of the scheme have been finalized, setting the stage for its implementation. ‘By the first quarter of next year, we’ll have legislation before Parliament to establish a national health insurance,’ he stated. ‘Our policy ensures that healthcare is accessible to every citizen, regardless of their financial status.’ The announcement is part of a broader government effort to enhance healthcare delivery, including the renovation of 17 out of the nation’s 23 clinics and the modernization of diagnostic capabilities at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre. Sir Molwyn highlighted that the initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to equitable healthcare access and reducing financial barriers for low-income families. The upcoming legislation will complement ongoing reforms in primary healthcare and the revitalization of community clinics, such as the recently reopened Cobbs Cross facility.