Chastanet sees delays at St Jude, govt insists completion is near

Leader of the opposition United Workers Party Allen Chastanet has expressed doubts about the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) government’s handling of the St Jude Hospital Rehabilitation Project, following a recent visit to the construction site at Augier, Vieux Fort.

Speaking to reporters outside the parliament building on Thursday, Chastanet acknowledged that work is ongoing, but he questioned the standard of the final product.

“A lot of work has been done on the old building. Is it going to meet international standards? I don’t think so,” said Chastanet. “Can it function as a hospital? Yes… And as [for] how soon the building is going to be completed and handed over, that part I’m not sure. There still seems to be a lot of work to be done there and equipment that was required.”

The visit by the Leader of the Opposition was not without controversy. The SLP issued a statement condemning Chastanet’s presence at the site, reportedly describing the visit as unauthorized, reckless and politically motivated.

Chastanet, however, defended the nature of his visit. “I was passing through and I was taking some pictures outside the fence,” he explained. “I was told I was not allowed to take the pictures outside the fence. I felt that that was wrong. I mean I get following instructions on the other side of the fence. And after a while I left.”

However, Chastanet says he later received a phone call from Rayneau Gajadhar, the managing director of the contractors, Construction and Industrial Equipment Limited (CIE), inviting him to return. “I was given a tour and I’m very grateful for the tour… I think as the Leader of the Opposition, if I was given the opportunity to do so, I’d take advantage of it,” he said, adding that it’s important for him to understand “what the status of the hospital is”.

The Opposition Leader continues to question the government’s decision to transition hospital services from the George Odlum Stadium, used as a temporary facility since the 2009 fire, back to the original site, raising concerns about delays and escalating costs. He maintains that it would have been more efficient to prioritise continued construction on the new hospital structure initiated under his administration.

Ahead of Thursday’s parliament meeting, SLP Health Minister Moses Jn Baptiste maintained that the government remains confident that St Jude Hospital will be operational at the old site by the end of the year. “We are very pleased with the progress of the construction works,” he said, noting that commissioning activities and consultations with professionals are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.

Jn Baptiste also reaffirmed the government’s intention to begin repairs on the George Odlum Stadium immediately after the relocation. “We will get ready immediately to repair the George Odlum National Stadium so that our sports people can get use of the stadium. So, we are working diligently.”

The reconstructed hospital is expected to feature 12 buildings in total, with upgraded facilities including additional operating rooms, a larger maternity ward and capacity for neonatal care – services that were unavailable at the stadium.