Officials Report Major Progress on St Jude Hospital

The reconstruction of St Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort is making significant strides, with key facilities nearing completion, according to officials.

A recent site visit by the Steering Committee and Board of Directors of St Jude Hospital highlighted the advancements since the project was launched, just over two years ago, to transform the facility into a modern, state-of-the-art healthcare centre for the south of the island.

In his New Year’s message on Sunday, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre assured that the hospital, which was destroyed by fire in 2009, would open its doors this year, after years of promises from successive governments. 

Work on key areas such as the physiotherapy and dialysis wings is nearing completion, with progress also evident in the west, east, and surgical wings. These upgrades are designed to expand patient capacity and improve healthcare delivery.

“We can expect changes to the overall efficiency of our operations,” said CEO of St Jude Hospital, Lydia Atkins.

Since the fire, healthcare services have been operating out of the George Odlum Stadium.

Emphasising the improvements that have been made, Atkins said: “We do now have capacity…for neonatal care, which is something that we do not currently offer at the George Odlum Stadium.” 

The upgraded hospital will feature additional operating rooms and a larger maternity ward, significantly enhancing patient care. Atkins said the hospital’s operations are being re-engineered to align with international standards. 

“We can expect changes to the overall efficiency of our operations,” she said, noting that current workflows at the temporary facility are being redesigned to integrate seamlessly with the new hospital.

Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Economic Development, Silas Wilson, highlighted significant progress in external works, including roads, parking areas, and electrical systems: “Works have been advancing very well on those additional buildings.”

Construction and Industrial Equipment Limited (CIE), the lead contractor, expressed confidence in meeting deadlines. 

CIE Project Supervisor Viney Kulkarni added that despite initial challenges, the project is now on track. 

“We have done a lot [of] certain improvements in terms of modern equipment,” he said. “In fact, there’s a lot of progress over the last three months now, and we had some major challenges, but we have come over with those challenges, so we are going very well.”

The project is being carried out in two phases. Project Manager for Caribbean Consultancy Engineering Limited (CCE), Barry Jones, said the first phase is nearing completion. 

“This is the completion of all buildings which the contractor is to complete as per his contract,” he explained. 

The second phase, awarded in October, is also progressing steadily.

Jones added that transparency and collaboration with partner consultants are essential for the project’s successful and timely delivery. 

“The ministry would like some partial handover, but that will be in its 90 per cent currently, and the rest of the facilities about 50-something per cent,” he said.