The long-awaited St Jude Hospital is on track to open this year, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre announced during his New Year’s address on Sunday.
Since fire destroyed the Augier, Vieux Fort facility in 2009, healthcare services have been operating out of the George Odlum Stadium on what was supposed to be a temporary basis. However, 15 years later, despite repeated promises from successive governments, the south of the island still lacks a fully functioning hospital.
In his address on Sunday, Pierre said that would change this year.
“After securing the necessary funding from the Saudi Fund for Development, we are at the final stage of completion and commissioning of a new, modern, fully-equipped St Jude Hospital at the original site. We are confident that the new St. Jude Hospital will open its doors to the public in 2025,” the prime minister said.
The project, which also includes the refurbishment of the George Odlum Stadium, is being funded through a US$75 million (EC$200 million) loan from the Saudi Fund.
The new hospital will feature 12 buildings in total, four of which were completed by contractor CIE Ltd in 2024.
Assuring that the provision of accessible, quality and affordable healthcare for citizens remains high on his administration’s agenda, Pierre also announced plans to expand healthcare services this year.
He stated the government will expand emergency facilities at the Dr Martin Didier Polyclinic in Gros Islet and retrofit the former emergency ward at Victoria Hospital to reintroduce services to the public.
Pierre added that work on the fifth wing of the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital will begin this year.
As part of his administration’s commitments for 2025, the Prime Minister also pledged to continue reducing the over $79 million in debt owed to local and foreign healthcare providers and suppliers which he said was inherited by the Saint Lucia Labour Party when it came into office.
Pierre also addressed broader challenges facing the country’s healthcare system, including the migration of nurses to more developed countries in search of better opportunities.
“Like the rest of the region, Saint Lucia continues to suffer from the brain drain of its nurses to developed countries like the United Kingdom and United States. The government intends to do all it can to keep our locally trained nurses at home and committed to serving it in our healthcare system,” he said.
The prime minister also urged citizens to take greater responsibility for their health by adopting healthier lifestyles.
“While this government recognises the need to provide primary and secondary healthcare, the sustainable good health of our nation requires the adoption of healthy lifestyles that embrace physical, mental and emotional well-being,” he said.