HEALTH MINISTER DENIES PLACING CLARE VUE HEAD ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

Minister for Health, Sir Molwyn Joseph, has denied sending Clare Vue Psychiatric Hospital Chief, Dr. Griffin Benjamin, on administrative leave.

Following reports Tuesday (September 9, 2025), that the Chief Phsyician had been placed on leave, reports swirled it was at the hands of Sir Molwyn. The Ministry, has, however, released a statement calling this an inaccuracy, pointing to the remit of the Minister.

See release below:

The Ministry of Health has noted with concern a recent article relating to the Head of the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital being placed on administrative leave. This article contains significant inaccuracies and in the interest of safeguarding public trust and ensuring clarity, the Ministry provides the following clarification.

The governance of the Ministry is defined by law and established administrative practice:
The Minister of Health is responsible for setting policy direction. The Permanent Secretary is charged with administrative management of the Ministry. The Chief Medical Officer has oversight of technical and medical matters.

It must be explicitly stated that the Minister of Health does not possess the authority to place any officer or employee on administrative leave. Such authority resides strictly within the administrative and legal framework of the Public Service.

The Ministry cautions that inaccurate reporting on sensitive health matters risks misleading the public and undermining confidence in our institutions.

The Ministry, therefore, respectfully but firmly calls for the immediate correction and retraction of the article, so that the public record accurately reflects the facts.

The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the continued strengthening of Antigua and Barbuda’s health system. In particular, the Ministry remains steadfast in prioritising the safe, ethical, and professional delivery of mental health services at the Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, in the best interest of patients and the wider community.e Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, in the best interest of patients and the wider community.