The Prime Minister, Hon. Philip J. Pierre, the Minister for Health, Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste, Cabinet Ministers, Board Directors, Doctors and Members of the SLMDA gathered for the cheque presentation of the “biggest one-time cash injection from the government to the MHMC ever” as cited by a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister.
Despite the government’s 2023/24 focus on Health and Security, on July 31, 2024, a leaked letter from the St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association sparked partisan debates on the healthcare situation at the Owen King European Union Hospital (OKEUH). The letter opined that the situation at the hospital had “NEVER BEEN THIS BAD” and called on the board of directors to “STEP UP OR STEP OUT”.
The Minister for Health, Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste at the cheque handover ceremony of $11 million disclosed that from July 18th, after a meeting with the Board of Directors and the Medical Director, the Prime Minister, when made aware of the situation had given instructions for all the immediate needs to be met at the cost to the government.
Upon assuming office, the government had disclosed a $25 million debt to pay a consultancy firm for the transition of Victoria Hospital to OKEUH and payables in excess of $16 million, however, the Prime Minister’s message at the ceremony captured in a release from his Office was as follows:
“Saint Lucians deserve access to quality healthcare. Our healthcare institutions, doctors, nurses and medical workers deserve maximum support from a government that cares about the well-being of our citizens.
The Millenium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) manages our primary medical institution, the OKEU Hospital. For decades, mounting debt has hampered MHMC, affecting operations at the OKEU Hospital. Despite these challenges, our healthcare workers have remained resilient and continue to provide quality healthcare services to the public.
The government is taking decisive action to help MHMC clear its debt and focus on delivering quality healthcare services to the public.”