The ongoing infrastructure upgrade at the facility represents a strategic investment in improving access to quality healthcare for the northern region of Saint Lucia.
Construction at the site commenced earlier this year and is moving forward as anticipated. Monty Emmanuel, Engineer at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that the project is on track and emphasised the government’s commitment to timely completion.
“The project originally started in January and is scheduled to finish in July, which is six months. The project so far is going according to plan. I mean, we had some rain, so there was a few delays, but these delays are not a large enough setback to affect the project. I mean, the contractor would have to put in a little more time to speed up works, but then it is not a huge delay. So we are basically on schedule,” he stated.
He further noted that upon completion, the expanded facility will strengthen emergency medical response in the north, reduce the pressure on existing emergency departments, and significantly increase the availability of urgent care:
“For the A&E block, anyone familiar with Gros Islet knows that the services are heavily utilised and the previous space was quite limited. We are expanding the area to accommodate more patients over 24 hours. The usual services, including laboratory, medical, and dental, will remain in place. However, the upgraded A&E section will allow for an increase in staffing, such as moving from two to three doctors, and an overall enhancement of services. This expansion is designed to reduce patient wait times and improve the quality of care provided to the public,” added Engineer at the Ministry of Health, Monty Emmanuel.
Despite the extensive rehabilitation works, the Gros Islet Polyclinic remains open and operational. Administrator Sharon Joseph has assured residents that essential healthcare services continue to be delivered with the same high standards:
“We wish to inform the public that despite the ongoing construction work, services at the Gros Islet Polyclinic continue with minimal interruptions. All clinics remain open, including the laboratory, x-ray department, pharmacy, and doctor consultations, which are available from 8 a.m. to midnight. We sincerely thank the public for their continued patience and understanding as we remain committed to providing the best possible care,” explained Administrator Sharon.
The Ministry of Health says it remains dedicated to strengthening Saint Lucia’s healthcare infrastructure and service delivery, ensuring equitable and efficient care for all citizens.