The Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) has reported ongoing overcrowding at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Owen King EU Hospital, caused by a significant increase in patients seeking care in recent weeks.
According to a press release by the MHMC today, the surge has been worsened by seasonal respiratory illnesses – especially including influenza – leading to congestion in the A&E Department and inpatient wards operating at full capacity. As a result, some patients have experienced longer waiting times while care arrangements are made.
The MHMC acknowledged the strain on patients and their families and commended clinical and support staff for continuing to provide care under challenging conditions.
The organisation said it remains committed to delivering safe and compassionate care, with priority given to urgent and emergency cases, while measures are being implemented to better manage patient flow and available resources.
The MHMC also pointed to longer-term solutions being pursued by the Government of Saint Lucia, including plans for a fifth wing expansion at the Owen King EU Hospital. The project is expected to increase bed capacity and ease pressure on the A&E Department as healthcare demand grows.
In the meantime, the MHMC is advising members of the public with non-urgent medical concerns to seek treatment at Community Wellness Centres, polyclinics, or private healthcare providers where possible. However, officials stressed that anyone requiring urgent or emergency care should not delay seeking treatment at the A&E Department.
MHMC thanked the public for their patience and understanding as the health system manages the increased demand.
The extension will be done during the next election period 🤞🤞🤞
Unhealthy lifestyle will always cause an overcrowding at the hospital. Smoking drinking, any any thing are just some factors that will cause st. Lucian to be sick. Lucians change your lifestyle.
@bolo you’re right, if Lucians stop mining people business and stop sticking their noise into people affairs it will reduce diabetic and hypertension for sure. How can they stay healthy when they wanted to drive to work, go to work with a plate of junk, eat junk at lunch time plus wait until they hit midlife for a doctor to tell them they need to exercise additionally they will drive to the gym and drove home back. They often forget the basic, food is medicine.
One factor contributing to this is road collisions! Year after year we see reckless driving by many without any penalties. Traffic police appears to be doing more report writing and enforcement of the law. Just yesterday I saw a car with red front (park lights) …yes…they are red at the Front of the vehicle! It takes a special kinda person to think it is perfectly OK to do that….I can bet that someone in lawenforcemnt knows about it and allows it on our roads. The health system cannot function independently, all other societal groups and government agencies must play their part to make our society more healthy. Traffic fines outside of just parking tickets can pay for the extra finger…look at the loud music on top of moving vehicles…that’s a crime and a potential hazard…why is it festering and growing?
I am in agreement with most of the comments that have gone before. However, another factor causing the overcrowding of the Accident and emergency department. Imagine people going to the OKEU for flu, a cut under their feet, etc. they can go to a health center or polyclinic.
Good morning to ALL lucians💕
GOD KNOWS I NO LIKE SAY BAD/NEGATIVE THINGS ONLINE ABIUT OUR COUNTY OR GOVERNMENT.
I WENT TO OKEU TO CHECK ON MY MOM(THEY DID NOT LET ME SEE HER)
AND I NOTICED THAT THE RED METAL THING IN FROM THE HOSPITAL IS UPSIDE DOWN.
😓😟😥😢😡🤬.
Look like a balcony railing put upside down
I LOVE MY COUNTRY STILL, SOME PEOPLE…..💕
The organization remains committed to giving safe and compassionate care is an untruth as patients with severe illnesses or injuries are left waiting for hours before they can be attended to