A sample of insects collected from the Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic is now being tested, following claims that bedbugs may be present at the health facility.
The development comes after Saint Lucia Daily Post reported concerns from sources connected to the facility, who alleged that patients and staff have been dealing with itching, bites, and recurring sanitation issues for months.
While the insects have not yet been officially confirmed as bedbugs, sources say the sample was submitted for testing after fresh complaints raised renewed alarm among staff and patients.
The initial concerns surfaced after patients reportedly complained of itching and possible bites while at the facility. One medical source alleged that the issue was not new, claiming that similar complaints had been raised months earlier but were not properly addressed.
Saint Lucia Daily Post understands that the testing of the sample is expected to determine whether the insects are in fact bedbugs and help guide any further response from health officials.
The matter has also revived broader concerns about sanitation, deep cleaning, overcrowding, and patient flow at the facility. Sources previously alleged that patients sometimes wait for extended periods under an outdoor shed before being triaged, raising fears that critically ill individuals could go unnoticed.
Multiple sources connected to the facility have corroborated concerns about sanitation and operational challenges. However, the specific allegation of a bedbug infestation has not yet been independently verified pending the outcome of the testing.
Saint Lucia Daily Post is still awaiting an official response from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs.
The story remains developing.
