Dr Philmore Benjamin, a former long-standing member of the United Progressive Party (UPP), has been appointed as a consultant to Antigua and Barbuda’s community clinics in a move aimed at strengthening primary healthcare across the island.

The Cabinet approved the appointment during its weekly meeting, with Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maurice Merchant, outlining Dr Benjamin’s remit.

“Dr Benjamin’s role is going to be to ascertain where there is the need for improvement in the delivery of healthcare at the clinics, and how clinics can diversify their offerings to better serve the communities where they are located,” Merchant said during a post-Cabinet press briefing.

According to the Cabinet notes, primary healthcare must be community-centred, accessible, and affordable, with a focus on wellness, prevention, and treatment of common illnesses. Strengthening this sector is viewed as a critical step toward achieving health equity and universal coverage.

Dr Benjamin, who recently parted ways with the UPP, brings more than three decades of experience in family medicine. He is widely regarded for his contributions in preventive care, chronic disease management, and geriatric medicine, and is known for fostering long-term patient relationships.

His academic background spans several disciplines. He qualified as a chemist and druggist in 1979 before earning a pharmacy degree from the University of Technology in Kingston, Jamaica. He later received a medical scholarship to study at the Superior Institute of Medical Sciences in Cuba.

Dr Benjamin also holds qualifications in sports medicine, having trained in Puerto Rico, Hungary, and Jamaica. He completed his Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus in 2010.

Raised with a strong sense of public service, Dr Benjamin’s latest appointment marks a continuation of his longstanding commitment to community health and development.