The Government of Saint Lucia has allocated $11 million to the Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) to address pressing financial challenges and outstanding debts within the healthcare institutions.
This allocation, sourced from the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) and the government treasury, aims to ensure that the MHMC can continue providing exceptional healthcare services to the people of Saint Lucia.
The Millennium Heights Medical Complex, which includes the Owen King EU Hospital, the National Mental Wellness Centre, and the Turning Point Rehabilitation Centre, has been struggling with financial difficulties in recent years that have threatened its ability to maintain optimal service levels.
The timely intervention by the government is expected to alleviate these challenges and restore the Complex’s capacity to deliver quality healthcare.
Chair of the Millennium Heights’ Complex Board of Directors, Joanna Reynolds-Atherton, emphasized the gravity of the situation and the government’s responsive action.
The release from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) states that this allocation represents the government’s commitment to ensuring that healthcare remains a top priority in Saint Lucia.
Minister for Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, Moses Jn Baptiste, reiterated the government’s focus on financing healthcare, stating that providing better healthcare for the people of Saint Lucia remains their top priority.
“I wish to say …that the financing of healthcare is foremost in our deliberation every time we meet in Cabinet,” he stated.
The Health Minister notes that despite the challenges experienced, “this government is adamant and resolute, so even though the road to progress may occasionally be rough, and even though we find mountains and hills that we must traverse, we will continue to provide better healthcare for the people of Saint Lucia. That is our focus.”
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre emphasized the importance of accountability and the strategic use of taxpayer money in the healthcare sector. He declared that he would demand accountability from the Ministry of Health and the OKEU, and the Minister of Finance added that he would reveal a plan to permanently solve the financial issues related to healthcare in Saint Lucia.
“Therefore, very soon, I will reveal to the country how we are going to hopefully and permanently solve the financial issues related to healthcare in Saint Lucia,” the prime minister stated.
The OPM release added that the government’s timely $11 million allocation is a decisive step towards ensuring that the Millennium Heights Medical Complex can overcome its current financial challenges and continue to serve the people of Saint Lucia with the excellence and care they deserve.