The constituency of St. Paul, already rich in Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural and historical legacy, has added another milestone to its record this time in the field of public health.

With the official opening of the Cobbs Cross Health Centre on Monday afternoon, Health and Wellness Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph announced that St. Paul has become the first constituency in the nation to open two new clinics within a single year. Earlier this year, the refurbished Liberta Clinic was also officially reopened following extensive upgrades.

Addressing the gathering, Sir Molwyn described the moment as a proud achievement not just for St. Paul but for the nation’s ongoing health transformation. He credited the Gaston Browne Administration for its unwavering commitment to delivering on promises made to the people.

“Politics is often about making promises,” Sir Molwyn said, “but this administration has proven that it delivers. Health has been made a top priority because without it, development suffers.”

The minister recalled that when he assumed the health portfolio, critical diagnostic equipment — including the MRI, CT scan, and mammogram machines — were all out of service. It was Prime Minister Gaston Browne, he noted, who immediately intervened, pledging US$10 million to either repair or replace the essential machines.

Sir Molwyn also revealed that all 23 of the nation’s clinics were in various stages of disrepair when he took office. To date, 17 clinics have been repaired or rebuilt, with six more still awaiting upgrades.

“The backbone of our healthcare system lies in primary health care,” he explained. “When we strengthen our clinics with proper staffing, equipment, and services, we ease the strain on the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre by at least 20 percent. That’s what we’re building — a robust, efficient, and community-based system.”

Looking ahead, the minister outlined plans to expand diagnostic services at both the Liberta and Cobbs Cross clinics, including on-site blood testing and CT scanning — services that will reduce the need for patients to travel to the main hospital.