Government Of Saint Lucia

As part of efforts to strengthen the delivery of healthcare services at public health facilities, the Chief Medical Officer took the opportunity to visit various health facilities around the island such as the Canaries Wellness Centre, Vanard Wellness Centre, Gros-Islet Polyclinic, Soufriere Hospital, to name a few. This visit allowed for meeting and engaging with staff, assessing the facility and its needs and to have a closer look at service delivery at the health facility.

Heads of judiciary across several Caribbean countries have expressed concern over the disclosure of internal communications involving the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). While declining to comment on individual judges or internal court matters, the regional judicial leaders stressed the importance of confidentiality and reaffirmed their confidence in the CCJ as a vital institution within the Caribbean justice system.

The Salaries Review Commission has recommended a cumulative 23% salary increase for senior public servants in grades 19 to 21, as well as members of the political directorate. The recommendations, presented in the House of Assembly on August 11, include a 20.3% retroactive increase covering the period from April 2011 to March 2026, followed by additional increases from 2026 and 2027.

Staff at the Comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home are undergoing a six-week de-escalation training programme designed to strengthen their ability to safely manage challenging situations. The hands-on training focuses on communication, patience, self-defence and appropriate responses, with the goal of creating a safer and more supportive environment for residents and staff.

The Ministry of Education says Form 1 students are expected to receive their laptops by the end of the first week of the new academic year. Education Minister Hon. Kenson Casimir says early procurement was undertaken to avoid delays experienced in previous years and ensure students can begin integrating technology into their studies from the start of the school term.

Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre has reaffirmed the important role of the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) in supporting vulnerable communities across Saint Lucia. He highlighted programmes targeting poverty reduction, youth development, first-time offenders and young people in conflict with the law, while defending the organisation's contribution to social development.

In the headlines: Prime Minister Hon Philip J Pierre speaks on the role of the SSDF and form one students receive laptops For details on these stories and more, visit www.govt.lc

The Chief Medical Officer has outlined ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition to strengthen Saint Lucia's public healthcare system. Over the past several months, the Ministry has been reviewing healthcare services and facilities, updating clinical protocols and standard operating procedures, increasing staffing, expanding clinics and services, and listening to the experiences and concerns of patients and healthcare workers. Efforts are also underway to strengthen urgent and emergency care, improve pre-hospital and port health services, establish National Blood Bank services, support the commissioning of services at the new St. Jude Hospital site, and advance plans for the Gros Islet Polyclinic to operate on a 24 hour basis. The Chief Medical Officer emphasized that regular visits and reviews of health facilities will continue to ensure that patients receive consistent, high quality care throughout the country.  

Proposed amendments to the Banking Act 2015 are expected to provide legal backing for new guidelines governing how banks respond to fraud and scam incidents. The Office for Financial Conduct is also developing a Bank Smart Campaign to improve digital and financial literacy, helping consumers protect personal information, recognize scams and understand their rights and responsibilities.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security is reminding the public that the 2026–2027 lobster fishing season is open until February 28, 2027. Strict regulations prohibit the possession, sale or purchase of undersized, egg-bearing or molting lobsters, with violators facing fines of up to EC$5,000.

Saint Lucian sprinter Jady Emmanuel has set a new national women's 100-metre record of 11.28 seconds and made history by becoming the first Saint Lucian female athlete to reach a final at a global under-20 championship. Her performance has been hailed as another sign of the growing potential of Saint Lucia's young athletes.

Government parliamentarians have unanimously approved the removal of VAT on photovoltaic systems. The measure is intended to reduce electricity costs for households and businesses, particularly micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, while encouraging renewable energy investment, creating opportunities in the sector and strengthening Saint Lucia's tourism competitiveness.

The Government of Saint Lucia is advancing legislation to introduce a structured framework for plea bargaining, aimed at improving the efficiency of the criminal justice system. The initiative comes alongside progress in reducing the court backlog, with at least 48 indictable matters disposed of through the backlog court, including cases that had remained unresolved for decades.

In the headlines: Plea Bargaining Bill to strengthen Saint Lucia's criminal justice system and solar energy gets tax relief For details on these stories and more, visit www.govt.lc

Saint Lucia joined countries around the world in celebrating World Steel Pan Day on August 11, recognizing the instrument's cultural, historical and social significance. The Cultural Development Foundation highlighted steel pan's origins in Trinidad and Tobago and its role as a symbol of resilience, creativity and cultural expression. The public, particularly young people, is encouraged to support and participate in steel pan to ensure the tradition continues.

The Taiwan Technical Mission in Saint Lucia is encouraging consumers to incorporate white eggplant into their diets as part of efforts to diversify local food options and strengthen food security. An initiative at Massy Stores Sunnyacres introduced three varieties of white eggplant through food tastings and recipe demonstrations. The varieties offer benefits such as higher yields, resilience in dry conditions and a milder taste, while the initiative seeks to increase demand for locally produced foods.

Proposed amendments to the Banking Act across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union will provide a legal framework for the Office for Financial Conduct, which will serve as a consumer regulator for banking services. The office will handle complaints, enforce codes of conduct and help customers seek resolution and redress, with its services available free of charge. Saint Lucia is expected to update its legislation in 2026, while the Office for Financial Conduct is scheduled to launch in September.

For the first time, school cooks, cleaners and security guards will receive their salaries during the month of August. The Education Ministry says the payment, scheduled for the end of August alongside civil servants' salaries, will provide greater financial stability for these workers and their families during a period that was traditionally unpaid.

The Government of Saint Lucia has proposed a five-year VAT zero-rating on a wide range of solar energy equipment, including solar panels, mounts, inverters, deep-cycle batteries, cables and control devices. The measure, effective from August 2, 2026 to August 1, 2031, is intended to make renewable energy more affordable, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and lower the cost of living and doing business.

In the headlines: Government is zero-rates solar equipment for five years and school support staff to receive August salaries for first time For details on these stories and more, visit www.govt.lc

The Dental Services Unit within the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition is partnering with summer camps to provide oral health screenings and basic dental treatments such as cleanings and fillings to children and teens, via the mobile dental bus.

Staff at Comfort Bay Senior Citizens' Home are gaining practical skills to safely manage challenging situations and respond effectively to residents while maintaining a compassionate, respectful and supportive care environment.

Consultations on the proposed Office for Financial Conduct have highlighted concerns about access to banking, debt collection practices, collateral, and the treatment of non-governmental organizations. The ECCB says the new regulator will strengthen consumer protection, address financial exclusion and online scams, and establish standards for banking practices.

Saint Lucia and the United States have agreed on procedures governing the transfer of third-country nationals to Saint Lucia, with no more than 10 individuals expected per quarter. The agreement excludes unaccompanied minors, Saint Lucian nationals, and individuals with known criminal records, except for U.S. immigration violations. The government is also seeking financial support from the United States to implement the arrangement.

The Saint Lucia Social Development Fund has partnered with M&C Home Depot and Sunbilt Ltd. to provide doors and windows to six families under its Housing Assistance Program. The initiative is helping vulnerable households improve or complete their homes, with additional partnerships and handovers expected as the programme expands.

The Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) is making progress in bringing its financial statements up to date. The current Board of Directors has worked with auditors to complete outstanding audits, while addressing challenges in obtaining supporting documentation. The SSDF aims to finalize all outstanding statements by the end of 2026.

In the headlines: Prime Minister Hon Philip J Pierre makes a statement on SSDF Audits and Saint Lucia and the US finalize third country transfer procedures For details on these stories and more, visit www.govt.lc

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition officially launched Breastfeeding Awareness  Month with an opening ceremony at the Micoud Secondary School, bringing together healthcare  professionals, mothers, and community members to reaffirm the importance of breastfeeding in  giving every child the best possible start in life. Held under the theme, "Breastfeeding for a  Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works," the ceremony highlighted the shared  responsibility of creating an environment where mothers feel informed, empowered, and  supported to breastfeed successfully. 

Saint Lucia has welcomed a high-level delegation from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) as the Government seeks to expand partnerships aimed at transforming the agricultural sector. Discussions include scholarship opportunities and the development of cocoa, specialty coffee and other value-added industries. The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs while strengthening Saint Lucia's agricultural products, including honey, sea moss and chocolate.

The Department of Labour has facilitated the signing of a long-awaited collective agreement between the Supermarine Management Association (SMMA) and the Civil Service Association (CSA), which represents SMMA employees. Signed on July 31, the agreement clears the way for workers to receive negotiated wage benefits effective July 2026. The Department of Labour says the parties have also agreed to begin discussions later this year on the next round of negotiations to strengthen industrial relations and workplace harmony.

The Rastafarian community has been commended for its longstanding efforts to promote awareness of African heritage, Pan-Africanism and the significance of Emancipation. Speaking during Emancipation Day celebrations in Vieux-Fort, Parliamentary Representative for Vieux-Fort North Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste praised the community's contribution and highlighted plans for legislation to establish a regulated cannabis industry. Rastafari representative Aaron Alexander also welcomed the Government's elevation of Emancipation Day as a major event on the national calendar.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has completed a four-day training session focused on advancing Saint Lucia's integrated online surveillance guidelines. The digital platform supports disease tracking, data analysis, early detection and coordinated responses to public health threats. The initiative takes a One Health approach and provides guidance, responsibilities and standard operating procedures for various sectors involved in health surveillance.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) is strengthening Saint Lucia's disaster preparedness by reinforcing its network of liaison officers. More than 35 representatives from public and private sector organizations participated in a tabletop exercise aimed at testing emergency operations plans, improving coordination, and strengthening business continuity. Officials emphasized the importance of regularly testing and practicing emergency plans to ensure organizations are better prepared to respond to disasters.

In the headlines: NEMO strengthens disaster readiness and The Ministry of Health advances digital disease surveillance For details on these stories and more, visit www.govt.lc

The Department of Sustainable Development is working with civil society organizations to support the implementation of Saint Lucia's Nationally Determined Contributions, particularly NDC 3.0. The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to develop community-based climate projects, improve access to climate financing, and build partnerships that advance emissions reduction and climate resilience.

Health Minister Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste is encouraging Saint Lucians to adopt healthier lifestyles and take greater personal responsibility for preventing and managing non-communicable diseases. He highlighted the importance of regular check-ups, exercise, healthy eating and monitoring conditions such as hypertension and diabetes to reduce pressure on the healthcare system.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is preparing to launch its new Office of Financial Conduct on September 30, 2026. The office will strengthen financial consumer protection by addressing complaints about banking practices, providing support for consumers, and helping mitigate the growing risks of fraud and scams associated with digital banking.

The Ministry of Education has commenced distribution of Education Access Fund checks to parents and guardians of students entering Form 1 at designated schools across Saint Lucia. Collections are being held according to district schedules from August 10–14, with recipients required to present valid photo identification and complete the necessary signature forms.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition is strengthening capacity to safeguard public health at ports of entry through the hosting of Port Health Stakeholder Training. The training brought together stakeholders in port health, with the aim of reviewing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for port health operations. It also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to enhance their knowledge of preventing, detecting, communicating and responding effectively to public health threats at the ports of entry.

Education access fund cheque distribution begins today and the ECCB to launch Office for Financial Conduct For details on these stories and more, visit www.govt.lc

The Consulate General of Saint Lucia in New York will host its annual Saint Lucia Day celebration on Saturday, August 8. The event will bring together Saint Lucians and descendants across the New York Tri-State area to celebrate the island's culture and heritage. Activities will include performances by Saint Lucian artists, a food marketplace featuring national dishes, and opportunities for Saint Lucian businesses and artisans to showcase their products.