Cabinet has granted approval for the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre to move ahead with establishing a fully structured Consultant Neurosurgery Service, responding to growing national and regional demand for advanced spine and cranial care. The new service will bring consistency to neurosurgical treatment on island, replacing the previous model of intermittent specialist visits.
Under the proposed framework, SLBMC will host monthly outpatient neurosurgical clinics and scheduled surgical sessions, ensuring faster access to procedures and reducing dependence on costly overseas medical transfers. A structured emergency response mechanism will also be implemented, supported by a transparent fee arrangement. Cabinet noted that the programme will enhance patient outcomes, minimize delays in critical care, and expand the skills of local medical teams.
Officials described the decision as a major advancement for the national health system, positioning Antigua and Barbuda as a central neurosurgical referral point within the Eastern Caribbean.
