Sickle Cell Patients Protest at Prime Minister’s Office for better treatment at hospital
A group of patients affected by sickle cell disease rallied outside the Prime Minister’s Office to demand better treatment and improved responsiveness from the staff at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.
They expressed concerns that while the medical staff possess the necessary skills, there is a significant lack of empathy and understanding, particularly for those with chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease and asthma.
Kevin George, one of the patients told Observer Media yesterday that, visible pain seems to be the only factor that warrants treatment at the medical facility. He pointed out that even when sent home with medication, the pain often continues, and there are occasions when the hospital runs low on sickle cell medications.
This forces patients to return to the hospital frequently, sometimes within the same day.
A concerned mother shared with the media house her distress over her daughter losing jobs because of continuous absences related to her illness and lack of medication. She expressed the emotional toll of watching her child suffer and recounted her own sacrifices to provide comfort, like buying a portable bed.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne is currently out of state and attending an important conference in Seville, Spain.
This story was first published by Antigua News on July 1, 2025: antigua.news/2025/07/01/sickle-cell-patients-protest-at-prime-ministers-office-for-better-treatment-at-hospital. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.
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