New MRI Facility Nears Completion At JNF Hospital
BASSETERRE — Prime Minister The Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew toured the Joseph N. France General Hospital this week, receiving a final report on the installation of the Federation’s new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine, a project officials say is now in its final phase of construction.
Drew, who also serves as Minister of Health, said the MRI facility represents a major milestone under the Government’s ongoing Health Transformation Agenda, aimed at strengthening the country’s diagnostic capacity and expanding access to modern healthcare.
The Prime Minister emphasized that building the specialized facility required precise engineering and strict adherence to international standards given the technical demands of the equipment.
“The building is a specialized building. Nobody in Saint Kitts and Nevis has ever built a building to these specifications,” Drew said.
Officials said the project has involved continuous consultation with international experts to ensure compliance with global safety and performance standards, reflecting the Government’s commitment to delivering world-class healthcare infrastructure.
Drew noted that the new MRI system will expand access and inclusivity in diagnostic care across the Federation. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to significantly reduce the need for costly overseas referrals, shorten diagnostic waiting times, and improve early detection of serious conditions, including cancer, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal injuries.
The Prime Minister described the near completion of the facility as a transformative step forward for the country’s healthcare system, one that reinforces broader government investments in infrastructure upgrades, digital health records, expanded staffing, and advanced medical technology.
With completion imminent, St. Kitts and Nevis is moving closer to offering modern, accessible, and equitable diagnostic services delivered locally, officials said.
