St. Vincent government holds talks with Taiwan over delayed hospital project

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines government says it has held “focused discussions” with Taiwan regarding the Taipei-funded hospital currently under construction at Arnos Vale, amid concerns about mounting delays.

Deputy Prime Minister St. Clair Leacock, who returned from Taiwan two days ago, said the project was already eight months behind schedule when the new administration took office in November 2025 and has since slipped further.

“It has further slipped. So we are about 12 months behind now with the schedule,” he said, noting that his delegation last Friday met with officials from the Overseas Investment Development Corporation, which promotes international infrastructure projects and economic cooperation.

“After the interaction, both sides were clear on each other’s perspective on the hospital, including the New Democratic Party government’s commitment to delivering a state-of-the-art general hospital at Arnos Vale to the Vincentian people as close as possible to, if not ahead of, the agreed timeline,” he said.

“The discussions were frank but fruitful in communicating the New Democratic Party government’s commitment to the project,” Leacock told reporters, without elaborating.

Leacock said he accompanied the Health Minister during meetings with consultants, contractors and other stakeholders involved in the project.

“I had the privilege to accompany the Minister of Health in meetings between the consultants to this project, the contractors to this project, and our own client. And it was forcefully relayed to the constructing firm that we must resolve all the nuances that are necessary to catch up with the backlog and to get this project back on time,” Leacock said.

“Not that it is just politically sensitive, but our people in St. Vincent and the Grenadines deserve affordability, accessibility, and availability of the most modern hospital facility.”

He added that consultants raised their own concerns and are expected to visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines soon for further discussions.

“He said this was ‘properly represented’ to the consultants and that ‘they, of course, identified some of their own issues and concerns, and I think they’ll be visiting St. Vincent shortly to continue with conversations with the minister of health and the prime minister on the urgencies that should be attended here.’”

Project Background

In 2024, the then government led by Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves borrowed US$125 million from Taiwan, with an estimated US$78 million allocated to construction of the hospital.

At the time, authorities said the 134-bed acute referral hospital contract had been awarded to Taiwanese firm Overseas Engineering & Construction Co. (OECC), with completion expected within 32 months.

However, since taking office, the administration led by Prime Minister Godwin Friday has announced plans to expand the project by adding maternity and paediatric wards, effectively transforming the facility into a full general hospital.

National Security Talks

Meanwhile, Leacock, who also serves as National Security Minister, said discussions in Taiwan also focused on strengthening national security cooperation.

He said talks were held with Taiwan’s National Police Agency, National Security Bureau, and Criminal Investigation Bureau.

“I outlined the national security realities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including the impact of cross-border criminal enterprises and our government’s planned vision for creating a safe and secure St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for residents and visitors alike.

“We exchanged ideas on how Taiwan could assist in …training, knowledge transfer and capacity building, as well as physical asset development and human resource development,” Leacock said.

He added that as an immediate step, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has been invited to participate in several training programmes aimed at benefiting police officers and national security officials.