For two and a half years, the All Saints Clinic has been locked, leaving one of Antigua’s largest communities without a functioning health facility. Children; expectant mothers; and elders have all been forced to travel to the Glanvilles Polyclinic to see a doctor on limited days. This is not just inconvenient; it is exhausting, unfair and risky.

Now, after the Ministry of Health and the All Saints West MP were called out and chided by Harold Lovell, UPP Caretaker for All Saints West, crews suddenly appeared at the All Saints Clinic, working the late-night shift to clean and patch the building.

Lovell blasts the move as a ‘desperate reaction’ to the excitement surrounding the Free Community Health Fair to be hosted this weekend by him and the UPP All Saints West Branch. ‘This is not leadership; it’s panic,’ Lovell says. ‘They don’t care about people’s health; rather, they play games to manipulate the narrative.’

Responding to claims that refurbishment of the All Saints Clinic was already underway and Joseph’s talk about upgrades, Lovell scoffs: ‘Promises don’t heal. Open clinics do. It’s time to open the doors and deliver the healthcare All Saints West deserves.’

Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph continues to cite the BAICO and CLICO collapse, which took place some 15 years ago, as his excuse for the poor state of the public-health system. But after 11 years in office, he has had more than enough time to fix the system and deliver quality care. Instead, residents have endured a decade of excuses, decline, and neglect.

Lovell reminds residents that it was the UPP Administration that upgraded the All Saints Clinic and others across several communities. ‘Fifteen years ago, people had more access to healthcare under the UPP than they do today,’ he says. ‘And in All Saints West, we currently have none at all, because the ABLP has run healthcare into the ground.’

However, while the administration makes excuses – and despite efforts by the sitting Administration to stymie plans – Lovell is bringing solutions: The Free Community Health Fair will be held on Sunday, August 24, from 12 noon to 5 p.m., at the Buckleys Primary School. It will feature four physicians and other healthcare professionals offering free screenings, wellness sessions, fitness challenges, healthy food demonstrations, and even a health-themed BINGO game.

‘Until the Government steps up, we will,’ Lovell declares. ‘But let’s be clear: Pop-up health fairs are not a substitute for a permanent facility. We will not stop until the All Saints Clinic is reopened as a fully functioning polyclinic, serving our people again.’