Govt renews health pledge as China donates equipment to QEH

The Ministry of Health has reaffirmed its commitment to a major overhaul of the healthcare system and to developing the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) into a world-class medical facility, following a donation of equipment and supplies valued from China at more than $136 000.

The donation was officially handed over at a brief ceremony at the QEH on Friday.

Minister of Health Senator Lisa Cummins said that since assuming office she has been engaging extensively with stakeholders across the healthcare sector to better understand the challenges and opportunities within the system.

She said: “Over the last few weeks since I last spoke with you on the first day that I assumed office, I did say to you that I was going to be spending the time in the intervening period listening… listening to what they thought the sector as a whole needed.”

Senator Cummins has been meeting daily with representatives from the QEH, officials within the Ministry of Health, private sector partners and other stakeholders as part of a broader effort to strengthen the island’s healthcare services, she said. 

“What I can say to you at this stage is that there is a clear and a strong commitment that I have encountered so far from all of the stakeholders to being in a position to deliver world-class healthcare to Barbadians.”

While acknowledging that the system is not yet at that stage, Senator Cummins stressed that there is widespread recognition of the challenges and a willingness among partners to work collectively to address them.

“That we’re not 100 per cent there yet, we acknowledge upfront. That there are challenges, no question about it,” she said, adding that she believes the current team is “fit for purpose” to tackle the issues facing the healthcare system.

The health minister also highlighted the importance of international and national partnerships, noting that support such as the donation from China plays a critical role in strengthening healthcare capacity.

She explained that the government’s approach to reforming healthcare involves a process she described as “deconstructing and reconstructing” the healthcare system.

“That’s the exercise that is underway now, deconstructing and seeing all of the constituent parts that need some attention, things that are working not so well, things that are not working at all,” Senator Cummins said.

This process will allow the government to rebuild and strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in a way that ensures reliable and high-quality medical care for Barbadians.

“Then reconstructing a healthcare ecosystem… to deliver a world-class health service for Barbadians,” she added.

Th ultimate goal is to ensure that citizens feel confident in the quality of care available when they or their loved ones require medical attention, said Senator Cummins. 

“I give that commitment today as Minister of Health to work together with the team that is here… to be able to deliver that on behalf of Barbadians,” she said.

The newly donated equipment is expected to assist the hospital in improving the delivery of medical services amid an effort to strengthen the primary healthcare system.