Access to HIV Services for Mobile and Migrant Populations in Antigua

AIDS Secretariat – The participants felt that this office had a high degree of
confidentiality when they did testing and they appreciated that.
Private physician – Dr. Pereira who is a dermatologist and also functioned as the
assistant Care Coordinator in the absence of Dr. Ramsey, was mentioned as being a
physician that was MSM friendly. They felt she was non-judgmental and comfortable
to talk to. She is located at the Medical Surgical Associates office close to the Woods
Center.
Private physicians - Dr. Stevens located on Long Street and Dr. Philmore Benjamin
on All Saints Road were also utilized by some of the guys.
5. What are some of the factors that make a clinic or health center good?
a. Free health care – because some of them were unemployed, they said if
health care was free, they would be able to access it more. They did not
have a Medical Benefit card, so they had to pay for everything.
b. Confidentiality – they want to know that “their business would not leave
the building right after they do”. They felt like Antigua was a small place
and rumours got started easily, so they prefer to know their information
will be kept privately. They stated that the health centers should hire
people who were more mature as they felt that they were more likely to be
confidential.
c. Good customer service – this meant that the staff should be nice and
should be caring toward MSM. For the participants, good customer service
also meant the caregivers should be helpful.
d. Clean environment – the health care office should be clean and equipment
used should be properly washed. One participant mentioned that gloves
should be used when they are checking people. Another participant stated
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