Pillar 07 of 7
Social Protection and Health
A resilient, equitable, high-quality healthcare system, and social protection that leaves no one behind.
Overview
The health pillar of the SISA focuses on building a resilient, equitable, and high-quality healthcare system. Key priorities include achieving universal health coverage by eliminating financial barriers and ensuring access to medicines and vaccines.
Strengthening health systems through improved infrastructure, governance, and partnerships is central, alongside disease prevention and addressing non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cancer. The plan also emphasizes mental health services, climate-smart health facilities, and robust emergency preparedness.
Key Facts
- Heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes complications account for nearly 60% of deaths in the Federation.
- NCD-related deaths have declined significantly, from 85% to 62%, over the past decade.
- Over 26% of school-age children are obese, raising risks for diabetes and hypertension.
- A National Health Insurance scheme will be implemented following public consultations.
- A new MRI facility is approved, alongside a 128-slice CT scanner and the first government-owned MRI machine in St. Kitts.
- The Government plans to increase public healthcare spending toward the PAHO benchmark of 6% of GDP.
Under our SISA, there must be meaningful actions to address the social, environmental, and other determinants that strongly influence health outcomes. There must be strong social protection systems, including an efficient health insurance programme so that the plight of those in situations of vulnerability is not aggravated by situations over which they have little or no control.
The Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, National Security, Citizenship and Immigration, Health and Human Resource Management and Social Security
Goals and Targets
- Achieve universal health coverage through a National Health Insurance scheme.
- Reduce mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases by 10%.
- Reduce overweight and obesity in adults by 20% and adolescents by 25%.
- Maintain 100% immunization coverage among children 0-11 months.
- Improve coordination, delivery, and management of mental health care.
- Establish a national health information system and make epidemiological research a core function.
- Develop systems for effective responses to global disease outbreaks and health emergencies.
- Build strategic partnerships and expand health financing.
The JNF Smart Hospital Initiative
The Joseph N. France General Hospital is a cornerstone of the healthcare system, providing comprehensive tertiary services including surgery, pediatrics, oncology, radiology, and a haemodialysis unit, and was recognized as a Baby-Friendly Hospital in 2022.
Under the SISA, the Government is advancing the JNF Smart Hospital Initiative: a state-of-the-art, climate-resilient facility designed to withstand natural disasters and ensure continuous care, with construction beginning in 2025, aligning with national goals for health system modernization.
Key Achievements
- JNF Smart Hospital: construction of a climate-resilient, disaster-ready hospital begins in 2025.
- SKN Moves implemented to combat obesity through physical activity and healthier diets.
- $3.3M investment upgrading digital infrastructure across 17 health facilities.
- Advanced construction of a modern MRI unit with staff training and equipment procurement.
- Installed a 20KW solar PV system at Pogson to boost climate resilience.
- Renovated the Mental Health Detention unit at Cardin Home, with expansion plans.
- Installed backup generators and water systems for uninterrupted health centre operations.
Investment Priorities
- Strengthen health infrastructure: upgraded facilities, new centers, medical equipment, and climate-smart facilities with backup power.
- Enhance healthcare services: expanded primary care, NCD prevention, mental health, and maternal and child health.
- Develop human resources: staff training, an HRH unit, and specialist training.
- Improve health systems: a National Health Information System and National Health Insurance.
- Address climate change: health sector adaptation measures and early warning systems.
- Foster community engagement and strategic partnerships with national and international stakeholders.
How far we have come
Life expectancy has increased to 75 years, infant mortality fell to 12.3 per 1,000 live births, and childhood immunization rates reached 100%. NCD deaths decreased from 85% to 62%, supported by initiatives like SKN Moves. Infrastructure upgrades and plans for National Health Insurance demonstrate progress toward sustainable, equitable, resilient healthcare. Progress is determined by NDPF indicators.
Social Protection
The social protection component establishes comprehensive systems to protect and empower all residents, particularly the most vulnerable, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and resilience against shocks. National poverty rates declined from 21.8% in 2007/08 to 17.1% in 2018, and in 2023, 4,694 individuals benefited from the Poverty Alleviation Program.
The flagship ASPIRE programme is a strategic investment in the nation's youth: financial education and EC$1000 for each child aged 5 to 18, split between savings and shares in local entities, fostering a culture of saving, investment, and economic self-sufficiency. Other landmark measures include the LIFT program (5,000+ people supported with $26M), a 39% minimum wage increase, 37% pension increases, the Budget Boost Wallet ($250 per month for individuals and $750 for households in 2025), and a VAT reduction from 17% to 13%.
