“The buildings at St. Jude Hospital are completed. The hospital is ready to be commissioned, with phase one of the transition commencing in the next few days.”
With those words, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre announced what many Saint Lucians have waited nearly two decades to hear: the long-delayed hospital is now structurally complete and preparing to open its doors.
The announcement came during the Prime Minister’s national address on November 9, coinciding with the confirmation that general elections will be held on December 1. As with every election cycle since the fire that destroyed the original facility in 2009, the reconstruction of St. Jude has remained one of the most politically sensitive and fiercely debated national issues.
The confirmation that phase one of the transition is set to begin also means that Construction and Industrial Equipment Limited (CIE), led by contractor Rayneau Gajadhar, has delivered the completed structure ahead of schedule.
“My team will remain at the hospital facility for at least three full months to help facilitate the transition from the stadium to the new facility,” Gajadhar stated previously, signalling his company’s continued involvement through the final stages of the handover.
The transition phase is expected to involve equipment installation, systems testing, and the gradual relocation of departments from the temporary location at the George Odlum Stadium into the new facility.
Though a final opening date has not been announced, this latest update suggests the long wait may finally be drawing to a close.
