The problem? The hospital is already completed and ready for commissioning, a fact Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre publicly confirmed just one day earlier.

Chastanet’s declaration, delivered during a national address, has been widely ridiculed by Saint Lucians who view it as a glaring display of political amnesia and misinformation.

“We will restore quality, affordable healthcare. Every Saint Lucian will have health insurance. You will choose your doctor. You will get care when and where you need it, covered up to seventy-five thousand dollars annually. And St. Jude Hospital, we will finish it once and for all. No more delays. No more broken promises,”

 Chastanet said in his address.

But according to Prime Minister Pierre, those “delays” are already history. In his address to the nation on Sunday evening, Pierre confidently declared that construction on the St. Jude Hospital has been completed, marking the end of years of uncertainty and neglect.

“The construction of the buildings at St. Jude Hospital are completed,” Pierre stated. “The hospital is ready to be commissioned, with phase one of the transition commencing in the next few days.”

Pierre further emphasized that his administration’s vision for healthcare extends beyond physical infrastructure.

“When we implemented Universal Health Care, we did so to ensure that no pregnant mother was denied basic maternal care and that our people could be screened for non-communicable diseases free of charge,” he added.

The Prime Minister’s remarks highlight the significant progress achieved under the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP), progress that starkly contrasts with the UWP’s dismal record on healthcare and project completion.

During the UWP’s term in office from 2016 to 2021, the St. Jude Hospital project ground to a halt. For nearly three years, construction remained stagnant, and the hospital site deteriorated while southern residents were forced to depend on temporary facilities. Despite numerous promises from Chastanet’s government, no substantial work was undertaken, and healthcare reform stagnated.

By contrast, the Philip J. Pierre administration reignited progress, securing critical funding from the Government of Saudi Arabia to complete the long-delayed hospital. Today, the facility stands as a testament to the government’s commitment to deliver tangible results for the people of Saint Lucia, especially those in the south who have waited more than a decade for a modern healthcare facility.