Four Community – By Tahna Weston
Four Community Health Centres
Four community health centres in Antigua will be offering extended operating hours from April 1, 2026, in a move aimed at improving access to primary healthcare services.
Health Minister Molwyn Joseph announced that the Browne’s Avenue, Grays Farm and Clare Hall health centres, along with the Villa Polyclinic, will operate daily from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and operational arrangements are being finalised ahead of the April implementation date.
The announcement was made earlier this week during the official opening ceremony for the Medical Benefits Pharmacy at the Glanvilles Polyclinic.
According to the minister, the initiative is intended to strengthen the country’s primary healthcare system while easing pressure on the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.
The extended hours will allow residents to access medical care closer to their homes, particularly in the evenings when many patients would otherwise seek treatment at the hospital’s emergency department.
The clinics will provide services including general medical consultations, acute wound care, maternal and child health services, vaccinations and minor emergency care.
They will also treat urgent medical conditions such as lacerations, acute bronchial asthma exacerbations, dehydration, gastroenteritis, and uncontrolled chronic illnesses including hypertension and diabetes.
Patients whose conditions require more advanced treatment will be referred to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre, with ambulance transport provided where necessary.
The move follows earlier discussions within Cabinet about adjusting clinic hours to improve access to care. During a post-Cabinet briefing in July 2025, Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said officials had raised concerns that clinic schedules, which operate mainly during morning hours, could be a barrier for residents seeking medical services. Extending clinic hours further into the evening was therefore considered a means of making healthcare more accessible for individuals who may have difficulty attending during traditional daytime hours.
The discussions followed the United Hands Inc and the Seventh-day Adventist Church in partnership with the Ministry of Health hosting a successful four-day health fair at the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre during which critical healthcare services were offered to 1,110 residents, including comprehensive medical assessments for more than 400 children.
