Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Dr. Terrance Drew, has announced that the new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility being constructed on the compound of the Joseph N. France General Hospital (JNF) is now in its final stages.
“Along with these ambulances, we are in the final stretch of delivering a state-of-the-art MRI machine here in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Dr. Drew said during the ambulance commissioning ceremony. “It will be here no later than the first quarter of next year.”
The Prime Minister explained that the advanced imaging unit represents a major step forward in the Federation’s healthcare system, allowing residents to access modern diagnostic services locally without the need to travel abroad. He noted that the installation required specialised construction, as existing hospital facilities could not accommodate the sensitive equipment.
“When they came to inspect our facility, no area in the hospital was suitable to house a piece of equipment that we have ordered,” Dr. Drew said. “Therefore, we had to build it. It had to be built with specifications to house it. It cannot just be put in any room. This room has to be a specialised room built with the specs that would allow the machine to be housed and function.”
Dr. Drew said the MRI project forms part of a broader healthcare modernisation strategy that also includes the installation of a new CT-scan unit and extensive infrastructure upgrades at the hospital. Construction of the MRI building began in 2024, and once completed, it will significantly expand the range of diagnostic services available to patients.
According to the Ministry of Health, the investment is part of a wider effort to strengthen diagnostic capacity across the Federation through increased staffing, improved radiology capability, and acquisition of modern medical technology.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that these efforts reflect his Government’s commitment to equitable and accessible healthcare for all citizens. “This investment in emergency medical response is a direct expression of our commitment to social justice,” Dr. Drew stated. “It is about equity, and it is about our enduring belief that healthcare is not a privilege but a human right.”
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