Last Updated on April 9, 2025, 10:36 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew, who also handles the responsibility for the Ministry of Health delivered a brief address on the Commemoration of World Health Day.
In commemoration of 2025 World Health Day, PM Terrance Drew highlighted that they have brought back peri Natal to the JNF General Hospital.
The hospital will be participating in monthly audits which can help them reflect, learn and identify gaps in service delivery. The administration has also introduced maternal care navigators into the system, consisting of qualified midwives.
The purpose of these midwives is to support the expectant mothers, advocating for mothers in their journey. The administration wants to make sure that the mothers are not alone in their journey and give all the support that they need.
The theme for the 2025 education was healthy Beginnings Hopeful futures. The theme is a reminder of the fact that every strong society begins with a strong foundation.
The Minister of Health said that this foundation is also laid in the health and wellbeing of the women and children of the community. The focus of this year’s Commemoration of World Health day was to invest in maternal and newborn health.
The Prime Minister said that investing in the health of mothers and newborns is important for the development of the country. Dr Drew highlighted that they are delivering hope with their investments in the healthcare sector.
The Prime Minister said that the development of the healthcare sector in St Kitts and Nevis calls for focus and unity. Over the last five years, starting 2020 to 2024, 546 mothers have received obstetrics and delivery services in the two major branches of the federation every year.
Around the same number of babies have also been born in St Kitts and Nevis in this period of time. These births are not just numbers in a report, they are beginnings of new life.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the journey of motherhood can be daunting and challenging which is why the Ministry of Health under his charge pledged their support for new mothers. They are working to make sure that the mothers in the federation can get access to the highest quality facilities.
The Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew, who has worked as a doctor previously along with the team at the Ministry of Health believes that the antenatal care should begin early in the pregnancy. According to the leader, this number should be around 10 weeks into the pregnancy.
Early care means that the mothers can get early intervention in case of an emergency. During the weekly scans, the doctors can check on the health of both the mother and the child.
The doctors can conduct tests and advise the new mothers on the correct practices, diets and otherwise. The Prime Minister said that consistent antenatal care can mean the difference between life and death.
He added that investing in the child and maternal healthcare means investing in the future of the country.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
