After providing a 15-million-dollar injection into the OKEU Hospital, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre says the issues surrounding healthcare are not automatically solved.

According to this year’s budget figures, $62.5million was allocated to the OKEU Hospital and $167million to the Ministry of Health.

However, according to Pierre, a more strategic financing plan is required to keep the island’s hospital afloat.

“Right now, [OKEU’s] credit worthiness is zero because they owe too many people. That is why we are allocating the money. So the allocations that they have now will assist them in being able to do the things that they have to do,” he said.

Payables at the OKEU are said to be over $16 million even after the Pierre Administration paid outstanding debts of over $26 million in consultancy fees to a foreign agency for the transition of Victoria Hospital to OKEU during the pandemic by Allen Chastanet.

Pierre notes that the $11million towards OKEU from the excess CIP funds will go towards the hospital’s debts, whereas the $4.5million from the government treasury will act as working capital.

The Prime Minister promised a new financing model where healthcare is concerned.

“Very soon, I'm going to be making a bigger announcement for health in this country.”

On September 12th, government officials will meet with officers from the Saudi Fund for Development to sign the contracts for the completion of the St. Jude Hospital.