The Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) is hopeful that St. Jude Hospital (SJH) will ‘rise again’, after a devastating fire over a decade ago.
Three people perished in the blaze.
The SLMDA’s expression of hope for SJH came in a statement marking the fire’s fifteenth anniversary.
The complete statement appears below:
Today September 9th, marks Fifteen years since the devastating fire which destroyed parts of St Jude Hospital forcing an emergency move to the George Odlum Stadium, which was meant to temporarily house health services.
Fifteen years, we as a nation continue to wait. Fifteen years our collective souls weep. Â
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We however remain hopeful. Hopeful that our leaders across the board will understand the complexities of healthcare and prioritise it. Hopeful that we all will truly give credence to the statement “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation” and take individual and collective responsibility for our health and wellbeing. Hopeful that St Jude will rise again.Â
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We recognize and commend the commitment and dedication of staff who have provided exemplary service under conditions which can best be described as inadequate and subpar. You truly are the unsung heroes of this unfortunate story. We continue to stand with you and with every Saint Lucian who has had to seek care at the facility.Â
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We will soon welcome home our triumphant Olympian Julien Alfred. What better time to expedite the move out of the stadium and a return of said facility to our athletes? What better time to expedite the move to the new St Jude Hospital. We are cognizant of the fact that a building does not a hospital make, we therefore urge those responsible to ensure that preparations are in place for a full transition to the new hospital. That all stakeholders are fully engaged and apprised of the progress of said transition as failure to do so will inevitably result in a compromised process and by extension, compromised delivery of healthcare to our citizens.
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The eyes of the world are on us. The hopes and dreams of a nation for better healthcare remain unrealized. We cannot afford to wait any longer. We have waited fifteen years. It is time to reopen St Jude Hospital. A climate resilient, fully functional St Jude. We the people will accept no less. The SLMDA stands ready and willing to do our part to ensure a successful transition. Our commitment to you the citizens of Saint Lucia, is unwavering and we will continue to advocate on your behalf.Â
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It is time for St Jude to rise from the ashes. It is time!
This is just sad …
Good that y’all finally find your voice and is rightfully criticising these useless politicians. I hope more associations take heed and follow y’all lead. Too many ills in this country goes unaddressed because of cronyism and nepotism. 13 year to build a damn hospital. Jesus. China built hundreds in days.
Wow you mean 15 ****** years yarns awa. Wow well done St. Lucia politicians well done! Wicked set of people honestly.
SLMDA your statement is on point. Administration after administration has failed St. Jude.
Now you very correctly stated that “We are cognizant of the fact that a building does not a hospital make”. I trust that the authorities will recognize that St. Jude has the worst Board ever. Don’t see how they can contribute to bettering service delivery.
I am so sorry of the lives lost which could have been saved according to the people living just behind the hospital an arm stretch distance, which heard when the sparks began, but take no heed due to carelessness…
Money is dissapearing from administratif to administrative to administration and no one speaks, take a look, Renault import his team employees from India, making the slaves to work from eight to five for seventy $dollars ,saturdays and sundays included for the same payement,is that hard labour,better a loaf,
So St Lucians wasn’t fit for the job,then every $dollar would remain home…
Most of you St. Lucians need a reality check in every industry both government and NGOs, especially those in leadership. I am extremely embarrassed to say this. However, I live abroad and needed a birth certificate to replace the baptism certificate in my possession – I went on line and followed all the necessary instructions – I provided all pertinent documents 3 times, I called the number listed on record for the agency several times and no one answered.
I then called the prime minister’s office several times at number listed on record no one answered – however, it states on line if you have an issue with an agency – call the same agency. You folk cannot be serious – so if I have an issue with an agency – I should continue calling the incompetent agency with which I have an ongoing unresolved issue – that does not make sense and should be taken off the website – it is very embarrassing.
I then called St. Lucian Washington Office and was told by a staff member – I have the same issue when I call – no one answers – if that’s not embarrassing I don’t know what is.
Resolution – I had to solicit the services of an attorney in order to obtain a birth certificate – you folk are too much even in 2024 – Godspeed.
@make it happen, you so right about the board and the management is even worst. It looks like we stick in that.
I think this board is working in silent and stand by their morals. Not the previous card
board.
It is not that difficult if are sejouring in a french country, but how can I help you since no one is to trust ????