The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre (SLBMC) has carried out its 13th kidney transplant, a milestone in Antigua and Barbuda’s provision of advanced healthcare.

The operation was performed on 15 August and comes eight years after the hospital began its renal transplant programme in 2017. Of the 13 patients treated so far, officials say only one death has occurred — unrelated to the transplant — while another patient returned to dialysis.

Medical Director Dr Shivon Belle Jarvis praised the nephrology and surgical teams, calling the procedure “life-changing” and a sign of the hospital’s growing capacity. She said the success of the transplant programme had improved the quality of life for patients with end-stage renal disease.

The announcement coincides with construction of a new renal centre at the former Halberton Hospital site. Once completed, the facility will expand SLBMC’s dialysis capacity from 27 to 39 stations, including isolation units for infection control and provision for peritoneal dialysis.

Dr Belle-Jarvis said the expansion was part of a broader vision to balance treatment with prevention. “We want to help Antiguans and Barbudans avoid chronic kidney disease while ensuring access to world-class care for those who need it,” she told reporters.