New Hope for Sickle Cell Care at Holberton Grounds

By Sharon N Simon
sharon.simon@antiguaobserver.com
For individuals living with sickle cell disease in Antigua and Barbuda, navigating acute pain crises has long meant enduring the long waits and high-pressure environments of busy emergency rooms.
That narrative is beginning to shift with the opening of a dedicated sickle cell unit at the Holberton grounds. Designed to offer specialized, holistic, and patient-centered care, the facility aims to transform how patients experience treatment during their most vulnerable moments.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects red blood cells, frequently resulting in severe, painful crises that require prompt medical intervention. Under the new setup, patients can officially begin accessing care starting Wednesday, August 19th, following the unit’s official opening on Monday, August 17th at 3 p.m.
Overseen by Dr. Veena Vignaraj, the facility is staffed by two dedicated nurses and two dedicated house officers. The team is equipped to manage acute pain crises swiftly, targeting pain medication delivery within 15 to 30 minutes following triage.
Beyond emergency pain management, the facility provides comprehensive wellness checks, patient education, and psychosocial support. The unit will also integrate the national newborn screening program, which has successfully screened over 4,400 babies since 2020, to ensure early diagnosis and lifelong support for affected families.
The unit will operate Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with daily patient intake closing at 3:30 p.m.