Opposition leader Allen Chastanet of United Workers Party (UWP) has sharply criticized the ruling St. Lucia Labor Party (SLP) over the ongoing crises at the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital.
Chastanet made his remarks during his party’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday. He condemned Prime Minister Phillip J. Pierre’s response to the hospital’s issues, which were recently highlighted in a strongly worded letter from the St. Lucia Medical and Dental Association (SLMDA) to the Millenium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) Board.
The letter outlined problems such as shortages of essential supplies and inadequate healthcare services. Chastanet’s criticism came after the prime minister announced a $15 million emergency allocation for the hospital – $10 million from the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) and $5 million from the Ministry of Finance.
The opposition leader emphasized the hospital’s dire condition, noting the lack of essential medications like Panadol and ibuprofen. He also referenced the death of an infant on August 17 at the OKEU hospital.
Chastanet argued that the government’s intervention came too late and that the $15 million crisis response fails to address the underlying issues. “A $15 million problem doesn’t just suddenly appear – it doesn’t suddenly appear. It’s irresponsible. When we speak about maladministration and in this case because we’re dealing with people’s lives, I will go as far as to say that their behaviors and actions are criminal,” Chastanet stated. He also questioned the government’s transparency, recalling previous promises of progress, accountability, and the provision of transparent and effective solutions.
Chastanet insisted that the current administration had failed to deliver on those promises. However, in his Monday press briefing, Pierre noted that the $15M debt was “there before July 2021”, which was before his administration took office.
Source/Photo Credit: St Lucia Times
