Universal Health Coverage, Hospital Infrastructure, Diagnostic Services, Health Workforce, Mental Health and Elderly Care
Quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege. We are modernising our hospital infrastructure, expanding diagnostic and specialist services, strengthening our health workforce, and investing in mental health and elderly care. The Federation now operates its first government-owned 128-slice CT scanner and a dedicated mammography service, while a contract has been signed for a new climate-smart hospital. Lifetime health insurance coverage has risen to EC$1 million, the cost of dialysis has been reduced, and the National Insurance Well Care Card now serves approximately 8,500 public servants. Forty-seven Ghanaian healthcare professionals, two medical internists, a neurologist, a cardiologist and a Harvard-trained surgeon have joined our health service. The goal is simple: that every citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis can access the care they need, when they need it.
Achievements: August 2022 – July 2026
Hospital Infrastructure & Facilities
- Signed the contract for a new climate-smart hospital and advanced planning for a climate-resilient, disaster-ready JNF Smart Hospital.
- Restored the roof at JNF General Hospital.
- Upgraded the water system at JNF General Hospital – ongoing project from 26 July 2023.
- Renovated the lobby at JNF General Hospital (funded by The Cable).
- Installed air-conditioning units in all wards at JNF General Hospital, enhancing patient comfort and improving the working environment for healthcare staff.
- Installed a 20-kW solar photovoltaic system at the Pogson Medical Centre to improve climate resilience and clean-energy use.
- Restored and decluttered the Ministry of Health Headquarters.
- Restored and decluttered the Cardin Home.
- Settled a EC$2 million debt owed to medical suppliers.
- Launched the National Digital Health Information System (NDHIS), establishing a national digital platform to modernise the management of patient information across the public healthcare system.
- Achieved Baby Friendly Hospital accreditation under PAHO’s Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, strengthening maternal and newborn care.
Equipment & Diagnostic Services
- Installed the Federation’s first government-owned 128-slice CT scanner, significantly improving advanced diagnostic imaging services.
- Purchased an MRI machine for JNF General Hospital.
- Installed a mammography machine to strengthen breast cancer screening and early detection services.
- Acquired new cataract equipment for JNF General Hospital.
- Acquired a Leica M690 surgical operating microscope system, a ScanMate Flex scan machine and specialised surgical accessories to strengthen ophthalmic and eye surgery services.
- Expanded minimally invasive surgical capacity through the acquisition of instruments for laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures, donated by the Social Security Board.
- Acquired a trolley ultrasound machine and two donated ultrasound beds to enhance diagnostic services.
- Expanded endoscopy services through the acquisition of one donated EGD machine and two donated colonoscopy machines.
- Installed an automated urinalysis machine in the JNF General Hospital laboratory.
- Upgraded the chemical cabinet in the JNF General Hospital oncology unit.
- Expanded renal care capacity through the addition of 15 donated dialysis machines.
- Strengthened rehabilitation and physiotherapy services through the acquisition of an Intellect Legend Stimulator, an Intellect Legend XT Electrotherapy System and a Mettler SYS*STIM unit.
- Acquired two aesthetic machines to expand specialised treatment services.
- Improved patient mobility and safe handling through the acquisition of three plug-in patient lifts and one donated patient lift.
- Enhanced patient comfort during treatment through the provision of 12 recliner chairs.
Health Workforce & Specialist Services
- Ensured that the Ministry of Health is resourced with a full cadre of administrative and technical officers.
- Recruited 47 Ghanaian healthcare professionals to strengthen institution-based and community-based health services.
- Strengthened specialist medical services through the recruitment of two medical internists, a neurologist and a cardiologist.
- Expanded general surgical capacity through the recruitment of a Harvard-trained general surgeon.
- Improved the maintenance and management of medical equipment through the recruitment of a biomedical engineer.
- Added a triage officer at JNF General Hospital to improve patient assessment and prioritisation.
- Conducted life support systems training for over 250 healthcare workers.
- Increased human resource capacity at the local Blood Bank.
- Extended operating hours of the JNF Hospital Blood Bank.
- Introduced the National Blood Drive Exercise and launched the Blood Donation Campaign at JNF General Hospital.
- Revised job descriptions for operational staff at JNF General Hospital to improve role clarity, accountability and organisational efficiency.
- Established a centralised employee database, managed by the Director of Operations, to strengthen workforce planning and personnel management at JNF General Hospital.
- Instituted a 24/7 doctor service at Pogson Medical Centre.
Patient Access, Affordability & Public Health
- Established the Children’s Medical Fund, providing direct aid for life-saving overseas treatment for critically ill children.
- Reduced the cost of dialysis treatment at JNF General Hospital, making critical renal care more affordable and accessible.
- Improved the Government’s lifetime health-insurance policy by increasing coverage from EC$750,000 to EC$1 million, retaining retirees, capping monthly contributions at EC$150, providing lifetime coverage beyond age 75 and continuing coverage for qualified dependants.
- Introduced the National Insurance Well Care Card for all civil servants. The system allows users to access participating healthcare providers by card swipe, paying only the co-payment while the balance is processed electronically in real time. Approximately 8,500 public servants benefit immediately.
- Strengthened maternal and newborn care through the acquisition of three infant incubators, two monitors, two multifunctional obstetric tables, infusion pumps, four syringe pumps, three weight scales and three baby scales.
- Paid COVID-19 frontline workers’ honorarium.
- Removed all COVID-19 health and travel restrictions.
Mental Health & Elderly Care
- Renovated the Mental Health Detention Unit at the Cardin Home and advanced plans to expand and improve resident facilities.
- Trained and employed 10 Elderly Care Assistants to join the Cardin Home staff.
- Launched the “Building a Safe Space at Home” initiative under the Mental Health Service System Enhancement Project, to strengthen youth mental health, improve family support systems, and address social factors contributing to violence and psychological distress.