Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet has sharply criticized the long-awaited handover of the new St. Jude Hospital, describing the event as an “election gimmick” and a deceptive facade.
He argues that the facility remains incomplete and incapable of serving patients, raising concerns over the government’s handling of millions spent on the project.
“So $300 million has been spent so far, and that is an approximation because we have not gotten a complete number from them,” Chastanet said.
“And four years have passed. Today, zero patients can be treated. In fact, we saw later on Sunday, the Prime Minister gave an excuse for Richard Frederick having to leave early because he was not feeling well. Well, if he was on the site, why did not Richard check himself in to the new St. Jude’s?”
Chastanet, who previously served as Minister of Finance, emphasized that no operating plan has been disclosed for the new facility.
“Before you opened up St. Jude’s, you would have had to present an operating budget. No such budget has been prepared. None of us have been told how the government is going to fund the operations at St. Jude’s,” he said.
He further questioned the sustainability of the hospital’s financing model.
“I think it is well known that the financing model that exists for the old St. Jude’s, where it is a subvention from the government of $18 million, will not work,” Chastanet added.
The Opposition Leader’s comments underscore growing unease over the readiness of the hospital and the transparency of government spending. While the official handover ceremony has been billed as a milestone, critics like Chastanet argue that the building is not yet prepared to serve the public.