Opposition United Workers Party leader Allen Chastanet has strongly criticised the ruling Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) over the crisis at the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital.
The UWP leader’s criticism occurred during his party’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday.
Chastanet condemned Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s response to the ongoing issues at the OKEU Hospital.
The Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) highlighted the Hospital’s problems in a recent strongly worded letter to the Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) Board.
The issues included shortages of essential supplies and inadequate healthcare services.
Chastanet’s remarks followed the PM’s announcement of a $15 million emergency allocation for the hospital—$10 million from the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) and $5 million from the Ministry of Finance.
The UWP leader highlighted the dire state of the hospital, revealing that essential medications like Panadol and ibuprofen are unavailable.
In addition, the former prime minister noted the death of an infant on August 17th at the OKEU Hospital.
He criticised the government’s late intervention, arguing that the $15 million crisis response does not address the root causes of the problem.
“A $15 million problem doesn’t just suddenly appear – it doesn’t suddenly appear. It’s irresponsible. When we speak about maladministration and in this case because we’re dealing with people’s lives, I will go as far as to say that their behavior and actions are criminal,” Chastanet declared.
He also questioned the government’s transparency, referencing past promises of progress, accountability and providing transparent and effective solutions.
However, Chastanet asserted that the current administration had failed to live up to those promises.
PHOTO: File image.
Chastanet, your quasi-popularity within your party rests solely on demagoguery. This is exactly what you are: a demagogue. You do not use words to convey logical information in the manner that most speakers use words. You use words to excite, to send dog whistles, to mock, to shock, to demean, to express anger, and to play the victim. You are a political miscreant who uses fear and demagogy to control your followers.
Chastanet, who was the prime minister of St. Lucia from 2016 to 2021? Was it the Phantom of the Opera? Did we have universal healthcare care during that period? Frankly speaking, the people don’t want to hear your blatherskite. We want you to speak clearly about things that matter and formulate lasting solutions.
Chas.. promises are only for fools to believe, and in St. Lucia there are a vast amount of fools inhabit this rocky island. Being in St. Lucia for 30yrs, a typical 25yrs old now will be clueless of how sloppy the affairs of this country being run. They only knows about the word priority but doesn’t knows the importance of it. Like I said I have witnessed the collapse of the following
* Educational Sectors, schools and their curriculum, along with securities, priority of teachers being focus the students their attention is else where and still collecting paychecks+ selling stuff in school earning more.
** The health sectors is in deep shambles
*** The maintenance of the roads, this is how they sell tourism, as if the plane only drop them on the beaches
**** Governance administration in all departments, oh such a horrible work force, one ministry is split into various sections but locate in a certain business man property scattered across the city.
The talk of the day OKEU and CIP will just fade away because, unity disappear from st. Lucian culture to protest and hold these people accountable. The few who might dare to do so are being trash talk upon. Again promises are made to fools only. You carry on st. Lucia.
Oh don’t even talk about the crime, it goes to school from our home and it manifest its way back into the community and now we have to pay the results of it.
Ras Biko, I’m reading the statements from chastened and it surprises me that he has not compared it to him time In office. He is speaking to the issue at hand. However, I cannot say the same for you. We are too busy playing politics that we do not want to speak out on these major issue simply because we are trying to save face with politicians. Reality, there is a major problem with Healthcare and we need to face it from its source. The nurses and doctors need better, the patients needs better and the country needs the assurance that it’s being dealt with effectively. Stick to the issue which is bigger than any one man.
Chas, the problem of OKEU is inherited from you. You gave 7 million for vaccine which we never receive. You gave Sandals 24 million all these monies could have been used for OKEU. How many passports did you sell during your reign in office? I have asked that question for over 20 times and you Chas have never replied. Was there a scam in these passports sales?
Allan Chastanet you need to keep your mouth quiet . When you were in power, you squandered the tax payers money with your lavish lifestyle you gave Sandals over 24 million dollars , you are nothing but a political buffoon who is desperate for power man you need to get the hell out of the politics of black people ….
May the LORD establish ⚖️ justice and brings everything under his control..