A new 14-station Dialysis Unit has been commissioned at the rehabilitated St Jude Hospital in Augier, a move the Ministry of Health says will improve access to life-saving treatment for patients, particularly those living in the south of the island.
According to the ministry, the upgraded unit provides patients with a more modern and comfortable environment for treatment and marks another milestone in strengthening healthcare services on the island.
Health officials said ensuring uninterrupted care during the relocation of dialysis services from the George Odlum Stadium was a top priority. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Jenny Daniel, explained that patients continued receiving treatment through arrangements with other facilities while the transition was underway.
“The Ministry of Health is cognisant of the nature of dialysis and the service that is required by dialysis patients; the fact that when you need to be dialysed, you need to be dialysed and if you don’t receive the dialysis that is required, it can be life threatening,” Daniel said.
She added that the ministry established the necessary financial and operational systems to ensure patients continued receiving treatment while services were transferred to the Augier facility.
Daniel said the successful relocation followed months of planning and collaboration involving technical officers and Renal Dynamics, whose team provided specialised support to ensure the dialysis equipment, water systems and electrical infrastructure met the required standards.
“The move of the dialysis services from the Stadium to the Augier site has not been an overnight move,” she said. “The success of the move here today speaks to a lot of foundational work that took place… ensuring that the correct units were put in place, that the water systems are fully operational and electrical systems, etc. This is what has contributed to the successful move of the dialysis unit.”
Minister for Health, Wellness and Nutrition, Moses Jn Baptiste, welcomed the commissioning of the facility, saying it would significantly improve access to dialysis services for residents in the south.
“We know that there are many individuals who live in the south of Saint Lucia who require dialysis services,” the minister said. “This improved department will certainly provide opportunities for individuals from the south who require dialysis. It will help them in terms of transportation, saving transportation cost and also being able to access the service closer to home.”
The Ministry of Health said the opening of the new dialysis unit forms part of the government’s broader effort to enhance healthcare delivery and modernise health infrastructure as the commissioning of St Jude Hospital continues in phases.
