This, the Minister announced, forms part of the government’s larger healthcare reforms.

“We took a decision to rehabilitate the old Victoria Hospital and this will be a medical complex which will house part of the Owen King EU Hospital. It will house the secondary care unit and will also house the Castries Health Centre. It will be referred to as the Urban Polyclinic,” Health Minister Moses Jn. Baptiste disclosed. At present, he added, the government has prepared bills of quantities to commence the transfer of the Health Centre to the old VH structure.

This week, he says, the Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) will commence its move of the secondary health unit to the facility. “On Friday [Dec. 15, 2023], the Millennium Heights Medical Complex will hold a ceremony to mark the commissioning of the secondary care unit. Approximately 43, or so, beds will become available. Immediately, there are about 12 beds that will become available. There are patients there being managed by the OKEU Hospital,” he continued. 

Jn. Baptiste says the MHMC will continue undergoing organisational changes to streamline the health sector.

“There are [several] developments in the Medical Complex. Various areas are being refurbished. The Mental Wellness Centre had some issues and we had budgeted some money for rehabilitation. We budgeted some money for the laundry and the oxygen generation plant at OKEU…a general statement [about the developments] will be made,” Health Minister Jn. Baptiste explains.

In addition to these developments, he says, the government will continue its phased implementation of Universal Health Coverage. The Ministry has engaged private healthcare providers to provide coverage for expecting and nursing mothers.