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Renewed Concern Over Resignations At OKEU Hospital

The OKEU (Owen King European Union) Hospital crisis appears to be worsening.

St. Lucia Times has confirmed that six consultants have resigned this year, sparking renewed concerns over the state of the healthcare facility.

Opposition leader Allen Chastanet underscored the gravity of the situation during his United Workers Party (UWP) ‘Sunday Live’, streamed via social media.

“Six doctors resigned. I want that to sink in to all of us,” the UWP leader said, adding that not only doctors but also essential personnel from departments such as human resources, maintenance, accounts, and purchasing had left the hospital.

“It speaks to the insensitivity and lack of urgency in addressing these critical issues,” Chastanet emphasised, while accusing the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government of failing to show empathy towards patients and healthcare workers.

The former Prime Minister painted a stark picture of the hospital’s current state, where resignations have left critical gaps in patient care.

“Imagine going to the hospital, there’s nobody doing the accounts, there’s nobody to register you, and the doctor that knows you and your history is not there,” Chastanet lamented.

He asserted that many in the community now fear seeking treatment at OKEU.

Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre briefly addressed the issue during a cabinet briefing, confirming that he had heard about the resignations.

“I’m not happy about it, but people always leave to look for greener pastures. But again, that’s nothing new,” Pierre said.

However, concerns about the hospital’s ability to deliver critical services have been longstanding.

In a leaked letter dated July 31st,  2024, Dr. Merle Clarke, president of the Saint Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA), heavily criticised the state of the healthcare system and the board of directors at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex, which oversees OKEU.

Dr. Clarke’s letter described the problems as “too numerous to quantify.” Still, it highlighted the most pressing issues, including the lack of essential medical equipment and medications, severe overcrowding, and a troubling exodus of clinical staff.

“How are we to manage diabetes without glucometers? How are we expected to treat heart attacks without ECGs or basic drugs?” Clarke questioned in the letter.

She disclosed that the situation had reached a point where patients would rather die at home than face the inadequate conditions at OKEU. She further criticised the board’s inability to resolve these fundamental issues and demanded urgent action to prevent further loss of life.

With the resignations of essential staff continuing, the hospital is facing a staffing crisis that has sparked outrage across the island.

Many are calling on the government to address these longstanding issues before more lives are put at risk.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Meanwhile they busy discussing who can dance better? Special place in hell for y’all politicians and the childish games y’all play to consolidate power.

  2. When politicians fall sick, they fly to Martinique, Barbados, Cuba and the United States. They don’t need OKEU, VH or St. Jude’s. That’s why these problems will never stop.

    BTW, so what is being done with the 2.5% HEALTH and Security tax???????

  3. The 24 million that Sandal owe in taxes would have gone a long way to help us get the things that Merle Clarke is talking also the 4 thousand pounds per night at a hotel in England and the 7 million vaccine money

  4. Nah bro, when it comes to the state of Healthcare, both of your parties are to be blamed.

    @cringey, choopse tun you sound like Minerva Ward, all jealousy and no substance.

    @SFR very good question, let’s see what the financial report says…lol

  5. Reposting @ SFR —-

    “When politicians fall sick, they fly to Martinique, Barbados, Cuba and the United States. They don’t need OKEU, VH or St. Jude’s. That’s why these problems will never stop.” – that’s correct. However, you really can’t blame them because the folk in St. Lucia don’t respect patient confidentiality – their business would be all over the island.

    Where I work one patient breach and you are out the door without a job and you may also be taken up on charges. Anyone who accesses a chart/medical record leaves an identifier up to the second and violation of such is a crime.

    I left St. Lucia many years ago and the healthcare system was inadequate then as it is now. Some of these physicians/nurses/healthcare personnel needs CME and medical training in every area. They are full of themselves and lack empathy as well as customer service and it is a shame. In addition, some of the citizens enable them by putting them on a pedestal – give me a break. In my eyes everyone is equal -and is treated as such.

    Not sure why they resigned – because most of them will not be able to function outside of St. Lucia with their holier-than-thou attitude. I am employed in healthcare and I know this for a fact.

  6. Saint Lucia badly need to improve the health care system , Your visiters from overseas also doubtful to travel to Saint Lucia which is not good at all for our main income . Government need to retain the staff by providing better facilities.Not only OKEU even other hospitals also on same situation like soufriere or any poli clinics.
    Healthcare very important for tourism to flourish.
    Recognise and motivate the staffs very important too

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