Less than a year after his appointment as head of Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital, Dr. Griffin Benjamin, a Dominican psychiatrist with experience at both local and regional levels, has been placed on administrative leave by Antigua’s Ministry of Health. The leave, reportedly with pay, follows a dispute around his handling of a medical student’s admission to the facility and a refusal to deliver associated documentation.
The case involves a student from the American University of Antigua (AUA), who was confined to Clarevue from August 15 to 27. The student’s family filed complaints of mistreatment, prompting the Ministry of Health to initiate an official investigation.
Multiple media reports indicate escalating tensions between Dr. Benjamin and Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph over the issue. However, Minister Joseph has publicly denied ordering Dr. Benjamin’s leave, emphasizing procedural nuances in the administrative authority over such decisions.
Dr. Benjamin’s appointment was based on his credentials as a Consultant Psychiatrist from Dominica. He currently maintains a private practice in St. John’s, Antigua, and serves students at the Ross University School of Medicine in Barbados as a mental health provider.
As of now, the Ministry has not confirmed how long Dr. Benjamin will remain on leave, nor have they provided further details on the investigation’s timeline. Meanwhile, circulating statements have outlined that the leave was tied to Dr. Benjamin’s refusal to provide the requested report.
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