Castries, Saint Lucia – The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs has made significant progress in public health, disease control, and healthcare infrastructure in 2024, setting the stage for a robust agenda in 2025. With a continued emphasis on improving medical services and addressing major health concerns, the Ministry remains committed to enhancing the well-being of Saint Lucians.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George highlighted the Ministry’s achievements, particularly in disease prevention and healthcare accessibility. She noted a significant decline in COVID-19 cases, with incidence rates dropping from 30 per 10,000 in 2023 to just 3.4 per 10,000 in 2024. Additionally, new HIV cases fell by 24%, and despite an outbreak-level incidence of Dengue Fever in August and October, there were no recorded deaths. She stressed the importance of remaining vigilant against emerging respiratory virus variants while reinforcing efforts to combat chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which continue to account for over 75% of deaths in Saint Lucia.
To address these pressing health concerns, the Ministry expanded primary healthcare services, introducing free cervical and prostate cancer screenings. Public response to these screenings was strong in 2024, prompting plans to further expand preventative health services in 2025. Healthcare infrastructure also saw major advancements with the opening of the Dr. Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic at the Dr. Winston C. Parris Medical Complex. This facility introduced extended medical clinic hours and urgent care services up to midnight, including weekends and holidays, significantly reducing the burden on the Owen King EU Hospital and improving access to care for Castries residents. The launch of the National Eye Clinic at the polyclinic further enhanced ophthalmic services, providing critical care for diabetic retinopathy patients.
Looking ahead, the Ministry has outlined key priorities for 2025 aimed at improving healthcare quality and accessibility. Plans include the development of a National Mental Health Framework to expand resources and support, the introduction of free breast cancer screenings and snake bite management services, and improvements to the National Blood Bank to enhance donation accessibility and storage capacity. Food safety regulations will also be strengthened through increased oversight of food establishments and the finalization of the Food Import Export mandate to improve food safety standards.
The SMART Health Facilities Initiative will continue in 2025, with upgrades planned for eight wellness centers across the island to ensure better service delivery and expanded healthcare access for all Saint Lucians. Regular updates will be provided to keep the public informed about ongoing projects and healthcare advancements.
With the foundation laid in 2024, Saint Lucia’s healthcare system is positioned for further improvements, ensuring enhanced public health, stronger disease prevention efforts, and a more responsive medical infrastructure in the year ahead.
