Minister of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs Michael Joseph conducted a series of site visits to healthcare facilities and infrastructure projects on Tuesday, as part of his ongoing assessment of the nation's health system and its future development needs.
The Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Stacey Gregg-Paige, Head of Infrastructure Gary Thomas, and Ministry of Works representative Telly Cornelius.
The delegation's first stop was the Grays Farm Dental Clinic, where Head of the Dental Unit Dr. Derek Marshall led a comprehensive tour of the facility. Discussions centred on the potential expansion of the clinic and the feasibility of introducing additional services to better serve the oral and vision healthcare needs of the public. The visit allowed the team to assess current capacity and explore options for future enhancements.
The group also toured the government's new morgue facility, reviewing the progress of ongoing construction and receiving updates on the development of infrastructure intended to support pathology and related services.
Minister Joseph and his delegation further inspected the new renal facility currently under construction. Once completed, the facility is expected to significantly strengthen the delivery of renal care services and improve the experience of patients requiring dialysis treatment.
Updates were also provided on the construction of the new CARE Project facility, an initiative aimed at caring for children with special needs.
Minister Joseph noted that the visits form part of a broader programme of engagement and assessment being undertaken across the health sector. He stressed the importance of ensuring healthcare facilities are adequately equipped, strategically developed, and capable of meeting both current and future demands.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs stated its continued commitment to strengthening the country's healthcare infrastructure and improving access to quality services for all residents of Antigua and Barbuda.
