In an era when healthcare systems around the world face mounting pressures, St. Kitts and Nevis is emerging as a beacon of progress, demonstrating remarkable achievements in healthcare. This was the message delivered by Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Terrance M. Drew, during the official handover of the newly refurbished Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital lobby, a project sponsored by The Cable.
In his address, Prime Minister Drew proudly highlighted the country’s significant advancements, particularly in emergency care. “JNF General Hospital now boasts the shortest emergency room wait times within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS),” he stated, calling the achievement a direct result of his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure and services. He stressed that, given the challenges faced by healthcare institutions globally, this was “no small feat.”
Among the nation’s healthcare triumphs, Prime Minister Drew pointed out the Federation’s impressive ranking in child vaccination efforts. St. Kitts and Nevis is now recognised as one of the top countries in the world for vaccinating children, a testament to the government’s proactive healthcare policies. Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that in 2022, St. Kitts and Nevis achieved a rare global distinction: no reported child deaths in the age group of one to four, making it the only country to do so.
Dr. Drew also outlined the substantial upgrades made at the JNF General Hospital, including the installation of state-of-the-art medical equipment. These upgrades include modern dialysis and anaesthesiology machines, and the procurement of a cutting-edge CT scanner, all of which are part of a broader strategy to enhance the quality of care available to citizens.
“Our progress is the result of a collective commitment to patient care, technological advancements, and infrastructure improvements,” the Prime Minister said, noting that the Ministry of Health’s achievements are due to the tireless efforts of a dedicated team of healthcare professionals and strategic government planning.
Dr. Drew reiterated that healthcare impacts every citizen and expressed his government’s ongoing commitment to making St. Kitts and Nevis a premier destination for quality healthcare services. “Healthcare affects us all,” he said, affirming that the Federation would continue to push boundaries in medical innovation and patient care.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Curtis Martin, also addressed the gathering, underscoring the significant strides the country has made. “We only hear the bad stories,” Martin remarked, highlighting the tendency for negative news to overshadow the substantial progress within the healthcare sector.
Martin added that the Ministry is laser-focused on improving healthcare infrastructure and implementing strategic health initiatives. These efforts, he said, are aimed at enhancing patient care, increasing the availability of specialists, and streamlining healthcare services throughout the Federation.
With these latest developments, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to position itself as a leader in healthcare innovation within the region, setting new standards for quality and efficiency in service delivery.
As the handover ceremony concluded, the atmosphere was one of pride and optimism, with attendees celebrating not just the completion of the JNF General Hospital lobby refurbishment, but also the steady progress being made in transforming healthcare for the nation’s future.
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