Jehovah Witness Building in Sea View Farm

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In a significant move to improve mental health care services, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has announced the purchase of a new facility to replace the aging Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital. The Kingdom Hall building, located in Sea View Farm, will be acquired for US $3 million and transformed into a modern wellness center.

Cabinet officials confirmed that the former place of worship, previously used by Jehovah’s Witnesses, will undergo extensive renovations to meet the needs of patients. While additional funding will be required for the retrofitting process, officials assure that the result will be a state-of-the-art facility focused on broader mental health and wellness services.

The new center, which will not carry the Clarevue name, aims to offer specialized care to individuals affected by mental health issues, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Many of these patients have little to no family support, making the quality of institutional care crucial.

This decision comes as a response to longstanding concerns about the deteriorating conditions at Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, which was originally built in 1929. The Kingdom Hall property, spanning six acres, represents a significant upgrade from the current facility, where patients and staff have faced deplorable conditions for years.

Recent history has seen Clarevue become the site of several protests. In 2022, workers staged a four-week strike, demanding overdue overtime payments and calling on the Ministry of Health to improve working conditions. Similar actions were threatened in 2019 when over 100 staff members expressed frustration at the state of the facility, which at the time housed 119 patients.

Issues plaguing the old hospital included lack of running water, poor hygiene, and inadequate risk allowances for staff. These conditions not only affected the quality of patient care but also posed significant challenges for the dedicated healthcare workers at the facility.

The government’s decision to purchase and refurbish the Kingdom Hall property signals a renewed focus on mental health care in Antigua and Barbuda. Officials hope that the new facility will provide a safer, more supportive environment for both patients and staff, marking a new chapter in the nation’s approach to mental health treatment.

As the project moves forward, the community awaits further details on the timeline for renovations and the specific services that will be offered at the new wellness center. This development is seen as a positive step towards addressing the mental health needs of the population and improving the working conditions for healthcare professionals in this critical sector.