In 2021, under the UWP Administration, negotiations began for a 40-bed field hospital to support Saint Lucia’s healthcare capacity. The efforts paid off in January 2022 when the US government officially handed over this critical facility to the Government and people of Saint Lucia. Unfortunately, despite the urgent need for beds at St Jude Hospital and OKEU Hospital, this essential…
The healthcare system in St. Lucia is in crisis, and the human cost is devastating. Despite international recognition of health as a fundamental human right, as enshrined in the World Health Organization’s 1946 Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (1966), the implementation of health rights in practice remains…
Between 2018 and 2020, under the UWP Administration and with the support of PAHO and the British Government, 16 healthcare facilities around Saint Lucia were upgraded and retrofitted. These improvements enhanced comfort and security while also reducing risks from natural hazards and climate change. The health facilities which were improved are 1) Comfort Bay Senior Citizens’ Home 2) Vieux Fort…
Recent events have cast a troubling shadow over the leadership of our nation, particularly concerning the Local Government and Housing Minister, Richard Frederick. His verbal attack on the President of the Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) for merely addressing critical concerns at the Owen King EU (OKEU) Hospital is both alarming and unacceptable. The President of the SLMDA,…
The recent announcement by Minister of Health Moses Jn Baptiste that the Government is still working on a financing mechanism for healthcare is deeply concerning. This comes after the Government abandoned the National Health Insurance initiative which was started by the Allen Chastanet led administration and a year after the introduction of a 2.5% Health and Security levy on goods…
The state of the Owen King EU Hospital in Saint Lucia paints a troubling picture of the island’s healthcare system. Despite being a modern facility, the hospital is grappling with severe deficiencies that undermine its ability to provide adequate care. Nurses and doctors are reportedly purchasing their own supplies to perform their duties, highlighting a critical lack of basic medical…
In March 2020, under the administration of the United Workers Party (UWP) led by the Hon. Allen M. Chastanet, Saint Lucia witnessed a significant milestone in its healthcare landscape with the commencement of the transition to the Owen King EU Hospital (OKEU). Four years on, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the impact of this transition and the strides…
The United Workers Party (UWP) expresses deep concern over the recently held strike action taken by doctors at the Owen King EU Hospital, primarily driven by the unavailability of gratuity payments upon the expiration of their contracts on March 31st, 2023, among several other pertinent issues. The party questions how a country with a Prime Minister boasting significant economic growth,…