by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and Minister of Health, Dr. Terrance Drew visited the University of Health Network, a state-of-the-art climate smart hospital in Canada on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
In a social media post, Dr Drew told the public that the visit underscores his “commitment to securing opportunities for sustainable economic growth and innovation for the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.”
He added “University of Health Network, renowned for its exceptional healthcare facilities and extensive research capabilities, boasts the largest hospital-based research program in Canada. The institution is at the forefront of groundbreaking research in fields such as cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine, and rehabilitation medicine.”
Prime Minister Drew’s visit was timely as the Government embarked on one of the country’s most significant capital projects; a climate smart hospital.
Drew has repeatedly mentioned that a climate-smart hospital is needed to combat the effects of climate change.
He explained that the new hospital will serve as a major step to transform healthcare services in St. Kitts and Nevis and will also help to build out a medical-tourism sector in the country.
“I want this hospital to serve not only St. Kitts but to serve the neighbouring islands. For example, St. Eustatius approached St. Kitts and asked how we can help in serving them when it comes to health care. We can serve the surrounding islands,but what that hospital will bring, it will attract a new set of people to St. Kitts and Nevis. There are people who don’t come to St. Kitts and Nevis because we don’t have a health facility that they consider to be of a certain standard.”
The construction of the new hospital will be a cooperation between the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and its 40 year partner The Republic of China (Taiwan). Taiwan will be providing financial and technical assistance to the project.
The identified land for the climate smart hospital is located opposite the University of Medicine and Health Sciences along the Island Main Road, Boyds.
