A large crowd filled the courtyard of the new St. Jude Hospital on the occasion of the official handing over of the facility from the contractor to the Ministry of Health.
Parliamentary Representatives of the various communities, Health Ministry Officials, staff of St. Jude, staff of CIE, Vieux Fort residents and SLP supporters from the Vieux Fort South constituency made up a group that went into the hundreds.
Some 16 years ago the St. Jude Hospital suffered a devastating fire that, not only destroyed the physical facility, but also resulted in the loss of three lives. Since then, the medical facility services have been housed at the George Odlum Stadium amidst years of political debate over its rehabilitation.
The original structure, which saw a considerable amount of expenditure, was abandoned with a change of government, which gave preference to a brand-new facility. Upon regaining office in 2021, Philip J. Pierre’s SLP administration refocused on the original facility which was the subject of Sunday’s handing over ceremony.
The function accommodated a number of speakers including CEO of St. Jude Lydia Atkins, Permanent Secretary in Economic Development Paul Hilaire, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Jenny Daniel and CIE CEO Rayneau Gajadhar.
Gajadhar, who was visibly buoyant when he made his entrance, spoke of his satisfaction in completing the task ahead of the schedule. While he heaped praise on his staff who were present, he pointed to many others who assisted in the process. Gajadhar, who was decked in Arabian regalia, seemed to represent the enormous input of financing from the Saudi Fund via its loan arrangement.
Also present was Former Prime Minister Stephenson King, who revisited the events of the night of the St. Jude fire, a night he recalls vividly having been the Prime Minister at the time.
Parliamentary Representative for Vieux Fort South DR. Kenny D. Anthony had a unique perspective in his presentation, he as well a former St. Lucia Prime Minister and one instrumental in the sourcing of financing for the rehabilitation of the medical facility. “This is a monumental occasion, a triumphant occasion, not only for the Prime Minister and his cabinet and his government but also for the people of St Lucia. An Anguish has been brought to an end and now we can look forward to a future with greater confidence,” Dr Anthony explained. He went on to clarify what is widely seen as a misconception of the present position of the southern medical facility. Dr Anthony endorsed Philip Pierre’s explanation of the present position saying, “The prime Minister is absolutely right to make a distinction between a handing over of a building and the commissioning of a building. I do not understand what the confusion is all about. The fact of the matter is the handing over of a building in no more than confirmation that the contractual obligations have been met.”
The Vieux Fort South Parliamentary Representative further explained that the commissioning only meant that the equipment and systems put in place had to be tested to ensure its proper operation.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre was clear that the day was about St. Lucians and nothing else. “Today is not about politics, it’s not about blame, its not about pointing fingers of debating figures. Instead, this occasion has brought us back to a simple truth. Being St. Lucian should not be defined by anger, discord or misinformation, but by compassion and shared humanity that keep us united.” The Prime Minister took the opportunity to laud praise on Sir John Compton and Hogath Belizaire for the respective input in the establishment of the St. Jud’s Hospital in 1966.
Four departments of the new St. Judes Hospital have already been commissioned with the rest expected to be fully commissioned before shortly.