The Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre has received a major boost to its critical-care capacity following a donation of more than EC$228,000 from the Mill Reef Fund.

The EC$228,690 contribution is earmarked for high-impact upgrades across emergency, surgical and respiratory services, strengthening the hospital’s ability to deliver timely, high-quality care.

According to SLBMC, the donation will fund the acquisition of a new laparoscopic tower to replace aging surgical equipment, an advanced EKG machine to enhance cardiac monitoring in the operating theatre, and twelve specialised recliners to expand capacity and improve patient comfort in the Emergency Department’s Asthma Bay.

Medical Director Dr. Shivon Belle-Jarvis said the investment will have far-reaching benefits across some of the hospital’s most critical departments.

“This generous investment from the Mill Reef Fund drives a transformative shift in how we deliver care,” she said. “Modernising our surgical suite and improving patient monitoring elevates precision and safety, while expanding the Asthma Bay allows us to treat more patients effectively during peak times. These upgrades directly improve patient outcomes and strengthen the resilience of our hospital.”

Chair of the Mill Reef Fund, Helene van Beuren, said the donation continues the organisation’s long-standing commitment to supporting national health infrastructure.

“Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre plays a vital role in caring for the people of Antigua and Barbuda every day,” van Beuren noted. “It is important to our Board that the hospital has the tools and resources needed to deliver quality care, and we are proud to continue this partnership.”

SLBMC Head of Marketing and Communications Salma Crump described the contribution as an investment that goes beyond equipment.

“This isn’t just an investment in technology; it is an investment in people,” Crump said. “By equipping our clinicians with essential resources, the Mill Reef Fund is directly enhancing the quality of care for thousands of patients each year.”

The latest donation marks another milestone in the enduring partnership between SLBMC and the Mill Reef Fund, reinforcing a shared commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for the people of Antigua and Barbuda.