After nearly a decade and a half of stop-and-start progress, the reconstructed St Jude Hospital has been formally transferred to the Government, signaling the end of a long and painful chapter—but not yet the start of patient care.
Sunday’s handover ceremony drew government officials, technical teams, contractors, healthcare workers and residents, all gathered to witness what many described as a historic milestone for the south. While the facility is structurally complete, the hospital will enter a rigorous commissioning phase before it can open its doors.
Permanent Secretary in the Department of Economic Development, Paul Hilaire, detailed the upgraded systems, describing the new St Jude as a fully modernized medical complex built with long-term resilience in mind.
He highlighted improvements such as advanced diagnostic capabilities, enhanced patient-safety measures, energy-efficient infrastructure and a redesigned clinical layout aimed at improving workflow and reducing service bottlenecks.
But Hilaire made it clear that the finish line is still ahead:
“Handover does not mean opening. What begins now is the critical final phase—operational readiness, staffing, equipment installation and regulatory compliance. Only when these steps are completed can the hospital begin serving the public safely.”
Several departments have already begun transitioning, including the Administrative Centre, Physiotherapy, Dialysis, and the hospital’s new high-capacity Laundry and Kitchen facilities—described as among the most advanced in the country.
Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre emphasized that the reconstruction was driven by technical assessments rather than political considerations. He acknowledged the doubts, criticism and difficult decisions—such as demolishing two structures—that shaped the project’s trajectory.
“This moment did not come without challenges,” Pierre said. “But despite the obstacles, this is the result of following the facts and relying on expert guidance.”
For former Vieux Fort South MP Dr. Kenny Anthony, who weathered multiple phases of the project during his political career, the handover brought a sense of emotional closure.
“The anguish has ended,” he said, reflecting on the years during which St Jude staff operated from the George Odlum Stadium after the fire that destroyed the original building. “Now we can finally look toward the future with confidence.”
With the physical reconstruction complete, the country now turns its attention to ensuring the long-awaited facility becomes operational—safely, fully and without further delay.