Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has underscored the significant expansion of specialised medical services at the Joseph N. France General Hospital, situating recent developments within a broader national health transformation strategy and ongoing global discussions about healthcare workforce recruitment.
Speaking during a recent health roundtable, Dr. Drew said the public health system has been strengthened through the recruitment of a wide range of qualified medical professionals, drawn from multiple countries and disciplines, to meet growing healthcare needs and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
“We have doctors, nurses, technicians, physiotherapists, nurse specialists in ophthalmology, and other trained professionals now working within the system,” the Prime Minister said, pointing to what he described as a deliberate effort to build depth and resilience across clinical services. Dr.
Drew highlighted that the Joseph N. France General Hospital now benefits from an expanding line-up of specialists, including urologists, nephrologists, oncologists, nurse anaesthetists and intensive care professionals, marking a shift toward more comprehensive, locally delivered care.
He addressed the issue in the context of international concern surrounding healthcare worker recruitment, including heightened scrutiny of arrangements involving Cuba and broader allegations of exploitation and human trafficking in some global medical labour programmes.
The Prime Minister made clear that St. Kitts and Nevis’ approach differs fundamentally, emphasising that medical professionals recruited to serve in the Federation are engaged transparently, compensated appropriately, and operate within the country’s legal and labour frameworks.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that any professional working here is treated with dignity, paid fairly, and able to practise in a way that meets our standards and protects their rights,” Dr. Drew said.
He noted that Ghana has become an important partner in the Federation’s healthcare strategy, with professionals recruited openly and integrated directly into the public health system to fill specialised gaps while local capacity continues to be developed.
According to the Prime Minister, the expansion of specialist services is not a short-term response to external pressure but part of a structured plan to strengthen healthcare delivery across multiple areas, including surgery, diagnostics, mental health, ophthalmology and rehabilitative care.
“This is about building a system that can serve our people comprehensively,” Dr. Drew said, adding that specialist recruitment is being matched with investments in training, infrastructure and long-term workforce planning.
The Prime Minister stressed that the Government remains committed to transparency in all aspects of healthcare delivery, particularly at a time when international partnerships and labour arrangements are under increasing global scrutiny.
He said strengthening public confidence in the health system requires not only expanded services, but also clear governance, ethical recruitment practices and accountability.
The remarks form part of a broader national health transformation agenda that includes expanded health insurance coverage, improved specialist access, and a long-term goal of reducing the need for overseas medical referrals while improving patient outcomes locally.
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