In the four years since it came into office in July 2021, the St. Lucia Labour Party administration of Philip J Pierre has proven to be one of the most productive and progressive governments in St. Lucian history, rolling out initiative after initiative, policy decision after policy decision that has positively impacted the lives of the entire population and spurred the economic development of the country. There have been so many beneficial initiatives by this Government, that one would be forgiven if one forgot some of them. In this series, we will help you remember the myriad achievements of what is turning out to be one of the best Governments to administer the affairs of St. Lucia. Here are some of the achievements in the Health Sector. The list dates back to the SLP’s entry into office in 2021.
Health
• Improved testing capacity of Ezra Long Lab by up to 5 times
• Cuban physicians engaged to assist with management of COVID-19.
• Mobile vaccination unit deployed into communities to reach elderly and shut-in
• Phones provided to staff at Victoria Respiratory Hospital (VRH) to improve communication throughout the hospital
• WiFi installed at Respiratory Hospital to provide communication between patients and their families
• Health Assistants hired for comfort of patients at VRH
• New mobile X-Ray machine acquired for Victoria Respiratory Hospital to assist with COVID-19 related issues
• Secured 30 Oxygen Concentrators to help with COVID-19 patients
• Launch of 1ST Phase of Universal Health Care in 2023 – Maternal and Child Health Services to include Free medical care for persons 80 years and older.
• Removal of VAT of medical screening equipment for 2 years.
• health aides hired to assist with patient-family support at VH.
• Appointment of SJH Review Committee to find the most efficient route to commissioning the hospital
• Signed $201 million loan for the reconstruction of St Jude Hospital and rehabilitation of the George Odlum Stadium and contracts now awarded.
• Launch of Performance Based Financing Programme
• $11 million paid out from CIP funds to pay down the backlog of debt owed by OKEU Hospital.
• Opening of the Dr. Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic (National Eye Clinic)
• $1000 stipend for student nurses
• Expansion of Gros Islet Polyclinic into a 24 hour service
• Opening of the La Ressource Wellness Centre in Dennery North
• Renovation and renaming of the Desruisseaux Wellness Centre, now the Leilia Harracksingh Wellness Centre
• Under the Health System Strengthening Project (HSSP)4 Health Centres to be transition into SMART facilities
• Introduction of FREE Hand Surgeries for adults in April.
• Introduction of Snake Bite Management Services.
• Advancing Perinatal Care under the UHC
• FREE Hypertension and Diabetes Screening and medication
• Cervical Cancer Screening and HPV Testing
• Prostate Cancer Screening for men in November 2024 at health centres islandwide.
• Reopening of the Belle Vue Health Centre.
• New Mammogram Machines installed at the OKEU Hospital and St. Jude Hospital
• Rehabilitation of the Fond Assou and Babonneau Wellness Centres ongoing
• In May 2025 the Government paid over $3 million towards arrears owed by St. Lucia for over 20 years to the University Hospital in Martinique where St. Lucians had been going for medical care.. This payment helps safeguard lifesaving treatment for St. Lucians at the University Hospital especially in emergencies or where local services are not sufficient.