Sir Lester Bird Medical Center
St. John’s, Antigua — April 19, 2025
Mounting frustration has erupted into public outcry as patients and concerned workers at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre voice deep dissatisfaction with the state of the hospital’s hospitality and procedural practices. Civilians are now urgently calling on the government to step in and revamp the institution, which they say is in dire need of reform.
From prolonged wait times to claims of rude and inappropriate treatment, patients are describing their experience as distressing and, at times, dehumanizing. “We are not asking for perfection — we are asking to be treated with dignity,” said one patient, visibly shaken by their recent visit to the emergency room. “The hospital needs help. We need help!”
A growing number of complaints highlight consistent delays in service delivery, disorganized procedures, and what some describe as a “lazy-like” attitude from certain staff. Many have pointed out that this isn’t a reflection of all healthcare workers, but a systemic issue that leaves even dedicated professionals overwhelmed and unsupported.
“The truth is, we’re understaffed and overworked,” shared one hospital worker who asked to remain anonymous. “We need more hands — more doctors, more nurses, more orderlies. The strain is real, and it’s affecting the quality of care we’re able to provide.”
The call for additional medical personnel — especially doctors, nurses, and orderlies — is being echoed across departments, as the facility struggles to keep pace with the growing demand for healthcare services.
Citizens are pleading for immediate government intervention, calling for both increased staffing and a reassessment of operational procedures to ensure a more efficient, compassionate, and professional healthcare environment.
As the national hospital, the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre holds a vital place in Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare infrastructure. For many, it’s the first — and often only — option for urgent and specialized care. As such, the stakes are high.
This is not the first time concerns have been raised, but with tensions rising and public patience wearing thin, the message is now loud and clear: meaningful action must be taken — and soon.
“Our lives are in their hands. We need to trust the system, not fear it,” said another patient. “We need more staff, better treatment, and real change. This is a matter of urgency.”
~Patient
While there are some things we cannot change, our attitude is not one of them. A positive pleasing perky personality is a must when working with the public, especially in a hospital environment. Too often government offices( and some private ones) are staffed by rude individuals who clearly lack public relations skills or who act like they were raised by pigs.
The majority of times it is indeed the manner in which they treat people like they are above the people seeking medical attention. Sometimes they forget that they too will need to seek help
As a former worker at the SLBMC, I can testify to the behavior and attitude of not only nurses but doctors, Orderlies even receptionist and even the GCG porters, and I will not be falling short and not include the patients. While a patient is complaing and is being real, at the same time let us highlight the impact patients behaviors can have on these workers at the SLBMC. I mean, you give to get right? but let me not be biased, because the workers attitude also triggers the patients behavior. SLBMC is known for wasting time since under the name MSJMC. This is nothing new. many patients go there with the possibility of surviving but died by the neglegence of frontline workers who should be looking out for us. so let’s say SLBMC is 50-50. 50% Nurse, 50% patients. you live or die
It’s not just about numbers. We need training updates, functioning equipment, and a management structure that listens. We’re frontline, but we’re not invincible.
I totally and completely understand. Some people don’t even expect nurses and doctors to take a bathroom break. This job is not for the weak.
It certainly isnt. But pray that the Lord grants you grace not go there. Its horrible.
Not all staff are rude, but the few that are give the whole hospital a bad name. We need more training and accountability. and i ca name a few but its better to keep it lovely
Imagine paying taxes all these years just to be treated like a burden when you fall sick. Shameful, More staff. More respect. More care. This should be a priority
It’s a little bit of both. We are all under pressure, especially the medical employees because they have to deliver good and professional health care at all times. Remember they are humans too
We’re not lazy. We’re tired. Working 12-hour shifts back-to-back with limited resources is draining mentally and physically. This isn’t sustainable. We hear the cries of the public, we feel them too. We want to do better, but the system needs to change so we can deliver the level of care our people deserve. It’s painful reading these complaints, but I can’t say they’re wrong. We’re doing our best under extremely challenging conditions.
I love my job and care deeply for my patients, but we are truly overwhelmed. There are days when we don’t even get a proper break. We need help, more staff, better systems, and resources to do the job properly.
I’ve seen how these nurses works. I’ve heard how the work and yet still they try to put on their best work ethics for ungrateful and rude antiguans. I wonder how should they feel. After working hours with not even a sit down, you still have patients who want to speak to you a kinda how. make it make sense. sometimes the attitude given is out of tired ness
Why would you say, “rude Antiguans”? Is it only Antiguan patients are the only rude ones that visit the hospital daily? This is biased and prejudice, including unprofessional.
I am an Antiguan, and I have visited the emergency room in a government hospital in New York during my vacation trip when I got sick. The service there was top-notch. I was a non-American visitor and the nurses and doctors were all professional, even the administration staff. While I was in the emergency room get attended too, I saw rude patients came in and the nurses and doctors there care for them very professional without a frowning on their faces. I said to myself, can we get this type of professional service in my country Antigua??
Yes, I know our healthcare professionals can do better they’re professionally trained. I know of several Antiguan healthcare personnel that migrated to Canada and America, and they provide good healthcare services there. It mean something is wrong here that needs to fixing.
Dear Donna,
I’m writing to ask you to refrain from comparing Antigua to the U.S. When you make that mistake, you act like you’re trying to shame Antiguan Nurses when it’s barely their fault. You’re looking at US nurses who are paid untime. who has better resources and are being assisted by numbers of nurse. I can assure you they don’t have the short staff or overtime complains. While its different here in Antigua where THE ANTIGUAN (99%OF THE TIMES) comes in with know patients. yes there are som foreigners who do disrespect the nurses but everyone will not stand and take disrespect. The Americans don’t have a choice. even them gives trouble when they come for treatment at our hispital. so please. shut up and calm down.
Kind Regards,
Stephney
Mr. Prime Minister, the ball is in your court. It is a must that you provide what is needed at the hospital so that the health care professionals can do their jobs effectively and , by the way, working without breaks is a clear violation. Health care is a right not a privilege so please do everything you can so that all stakeholders are supported and unnecessary deaths are avoided.
Sometimes there’s alot at stake. Not all nurses and doctors are bad. Some love their job and some are burnt out. But listen it comes with the territory. I believe however there should be more incentives for these men and women. They should also be paid better wages