A Collective Effort to Refurbish JNF General Hospital: “It Took All of Us,” Says Prime Minister Drew

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (October 22, 2024: PMO) – At the symbolic handover of the Joseph N. France (JNF) General Hospital’s newly refurbished lobby on October 22nd, a common theme echoed throughout the remarks: this achievement was a collective effort. The project, spearheaded by The Cable to commemorate the Federation’s 40th anniversary, transformed the hospital’s entrance into a welcoming and calming space for patients and visitors alike.

Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Minister of Health, Dr. Terrance Drew, who attended the ceremony, also praised the collaboration between The Cable, government officials, and local businesses. He emphasized that healthcare is a national concern and underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving meaningful change. “This could not have been done by any one person or entity, but by all of us coming together as one unstoppable force,” Dr. Drew remarked.

Launched in November 2023, the project, according to the Chief Executive Officer of The Cable, Patricia Walters, required the collaboration of multiple public and private entities, including the TDC Group of Companies, Vaughn’s Construction, and the hospital’s management team. The planning and execution of which is just shy of one year now see a refurbished lobby that boasts new seating, improved lighting, and clearer signage—elements designed to improve patient experience and alleviate the anxiety that often accompanies a hospital visit.

CEO Walters noted that the project went beyond just simply repainting the lobby, as the company “wanted to create a pleasant atmosphere so that whether you are waiting or passing through, your spirit would be uplifted”.

The refurbishment of the JNF Hospital lobby is just one part of a larger initiative to improve healthcare facilities across St. Kitts and Nevis, according to Prime Minister Drew and echoed by Mr. Curtis Martin, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health. The government’s broader strategy includes the development of a new, climate-smart hospital that will further elevate the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

The event was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, Hon. Konris Maynard, Minister of Telecommunications, and Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development. Key figures from the Ministry of Health, such as Director of Institutional-Based Health Services Dr. Jenson Morton and Ms. Lindsey Maynard, Director of Operations at J.N.F. General Hospital, were also in attendance, along with Crios Freeman, Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors for The Cable.

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