“We are committed to fixing the problems,” Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste says.
He spoke as Saint Lucia’s healthcare system faces a significant crisis, with hospitals under immense pressure.
In recent months, six doctors have resigned from their positions at the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital, intensifying concerns about the state of healthcare on the island.
There have also been reports of a shortage of essential supplies and equipment.
On Tuesday, the Health Minister addressed these issues outside the House of Parliament, outlining the government’s response and plans to alleviate the challenges.
Minister Jn Baptiste acknowledged the difficulties caused by healthcare professionals leaving their posts. He cited the resignation of doctors and the ongoing shortage of nurses as part of the wider crisis. “Many of our professionals continue to leave, not only in St. Lucia but in the rest of the region… It is a challenge which the government is facing head-on,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that while the government inherited the longstanding problems, its mandate is to resolve them. “We are not here to complain about what we found… Our mandate is to ensure that we fix the problems,” Jn Baptiste stated.
He reassured the public that the administration is focused on improving the healthcare system, including upgrading services at hospitals and wellness centers.
Jn Baptiste also addressed concerns about the financial sustainability of the health sector.
According to him, running the OKEU Hospital costs nearly $100 million annually, while hospitals like St. Jude only collect a fraction of what is needed to operate effectively. “The health and security levy has contributed, but we must seek a way to fund healthcare in a sustainable way,” the Minister explained.
In response to public calls for a national health insurance system, Jn Baptiste noted that while the previous United Workers Party (UWP) government spoke of such a programme, it did not provide additional services to the people of Saint Lucia.
He explained that the government is gradually working on providing health coverage for everyone.
Recent efforts include offering free services for pregnant women, cervical cancer screenings, and, soon, prostate cancer screenings.
Regarding the Castries Urban Polyclinic project and concerns regarding the closure of the Castries Wellness Center, Jn Baptiste confirmed that services have been relocated to other areas, such as La Clery.
Amid rising cases of dengue fever on the island, Jn Baptiste acknowledged that the hospital system is in a state of emergency. He reassured the public that the government is working hard to manage both the immediate and long-term challenges in healthcare.
“We are committed and we have demonstrated over the last three years that we have placed additional resources, additional financing, and additional services,” he reiterated.
Despite the current health crisis, the Minister expressed optimism that the government is taking the necessary steps to address the systemic issues and improve healthcare for all Saint Lucians.
