A group of sickle cell patients staged a protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office, calling for better care and greater empathy from staff at Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre.

The demonstrators said that while medical staff are skilled, there is a lack of understanding towards those with chronic conditions like sickle cell disease and asthma.

Patient Kevin George told Observer that visible pain appears to be the main trigger for treatment, and pain often persists even after discharge. He also raised concerns about frequent shortages of sickle cell medication, forcing patients to make repeated hospital visits — sometimes within hours.

A mother said her daughter has lost jobs due to repeated absences linked to the illness and inconsistent access to medication, adding that she had to buy a portable bed to care for her child.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne is currently attending a conference in Seville, Spain.