In 2025, the health system expanded Universal Health Coverage, improved health facilities, managed many health programs, health conditions ranging from infectious diseases, chronic non-communicable diseases and international, regional and local collaborations and Medical Missions. The health data analyzed provides a summary of the health status in country.

In Saint Lucia, the Life expectancy for men as of 2025 is 70.2 and women 77.8. We continue to note reductions in the birth rate. A total of 1,326 live births were recorded for 2025 representing a crude birth rate of 7.7 per 1000 women of child bearing age. This is a 6.1% decrease from the previous year 2024. The Total Fertility rate (TFR) per woman of child bearing age is 1.06 compared to 1.54 in 2016. The TFR for population replacement is 2.1. (UN).

Respiratory Viruses continued to circulate, especially in the last quarter of the year. We note a continued reduction in COVID-19 cases from 3.4 per 10, 000 in 2024 to 2.0 per 10, 000 in 2025. However, we continue to see new variants of COVID-19, Influenza A, Influenza B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), alongside three new cases of Tuberculosis being reported in 2025 in comparison to 1 new case in 2024.

A total of 276 cases of gastroenteritis were registered by the sentinel surveillance system. This represents an 85% decrease in cases from the previous year (2024). Twelve percent of those cases were children less than 5 years of age. The normal trend of elevated numbers of cases in the first month of the year were not observed. However, outbreaks were noted at 2 periods, during March and June. 24% of the cases were from Soufriere, 21% from Castries and 14% from Vieux Fort.

In 2025, 26 new cases of HIV were diagnosed. However, it represents a 2.6% decrease from 2024. 62% of the cases were male. There are currently 1003 persons living with HIV in Saint Lucia of which 58% are male.

The Ministry of Health noted a significant 91% decrease in Dengue Fever in 2025 as compared to 2024, where 432 cases were recorded. 73% of the cases occurred in the southern districts of Vieux Fort, Micoud and Dennery. 60% of the cases were female and 43% were within the 15-49 age group. One Dengue Fever related death was recorded in 2025.

A total of 6 cases of leptospirosis, were reported in 2025 of which 83% were male. This represents a 63% decrease over last year. No cases of Malaria were recorded.

Saint Lucia recorded 16 new cases of Leprosy which was eight times as many cases seen in the previous year 2024. The observed increase in cases was as a result of targeted active case finding, carried out during a skin camp aimed at detecting previously unidentified leprosy cases. This was part of a national action plan towards the elimination of Leprosy, which was implemented during 2024.

The increasing impact of violence and injuries due to crime and motor vehicular accidents on the hospital system and Blood Bank resources remains of serious concern to the health sector.

Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases continue to be a significant source of mortality in Saint Lucia accounting for over 80% of all deaths, with cancers, cerebrovascular disease/stroke, heart disease and Diabetes Mellitus dominating as the top 4 causes of death respectively for the last 10 years.

Despite this, males are continuing to lose more of their potential benefit to society due to:

• Assault

• Land Transport accidents and

• Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease (specifically COPD) due to smoking

On the other hand, females are losing more of their potential to society due to:

• Cancer (Breast and Cervical in particular) and

• Perinatal Conditions (specific to newborns)

Guided by the trends noted over the last 5 years and the data from the Behavior Risk Factor Survey carried out in 2019, Primary care/preventative health strengthening remains a major focus for the Ministry of Health. We continue to note low levels of health screening, increases in obesity, low fruit and vegetable intake and limited physical activity among our population. These factors will be addressed with targeted programs and interventions in 2026 with special focus on the Nutrition mandate of the Ministry of Health.

In 2025, health facility closures and diversions for care due to environmental air quality issues were reduced. Significant maintenance issues were required at the Vieux-Fort Wellness Centre. Mold infestation was a major issue in several facilities requiring

significant resources for remediation at 14 Wellness Centres including Gros-Islet Polyclinic, Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic and Soufriere Hospital.

The SMARTING rehabilitation works for Delcer Wellness Centre began in 2024 and was completed in 2025. The La Fargue and Babonneau Wellness Centres were also completed in 2025. Construction work has commenced on Vanard and Canaries Wellness Centres as well. By addressing both the infrastructural and maintenance issues, the Ministry aims to enhance service delivery, improve the working environment for staff and ensure improved access to healthcare for the population.

In 2025, Universal Health Coverage (UHC) continued with the provision of Antenatal Care, Cervical Cancer Screening and Prostate Cancer Screening in Primary Healthcare at no cost to the patient. Snake bite management and Breast Cancer screening were also included in the strengthening of Primary care services.

In 2024, one of the major milestones for the Ministry of Health was the opening of the first phase of the Dr. Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic located at the Dr. Winston C. Parris Medical Complex (formerly Victoria Hospital). Both Medical Clinic and Urgent Care services are provided in a newly renovated facility offering extended opening hours up to midnight, including weekends and holidays. This serves to provide access to healthcare to the Castries region, reducing the burden on the Owen King EU Hospital and enhancing overall healthcare responsiveness. Another important milestone in the first phase of the Dr. Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic was the successful completion and opening of the National Eye Clinic. This facilitates the provision of high-quality ophthalmic services and Diabetic Retinopathy to the population. The Ministry of Health re-commenced surgical eye procedures at the National Eye Clinic on October 8^th, 2025. To date 96 surgical cases have been performed from October 8, 2025 to January 15, 2026.

The expansion of the Dr. Martin Didier Polyclinic continues, we anticipate completion and 24-hour operation in 2026.

The quality initiative and development of the National Blood Bank and the development of a national mental health framework were some of the priorities for the Ministry of Health for 2025.

In 2025, for the first time Saint Lucia has instituted the Director of Mental Health Services. With the support of PAHO and the French authorities, this has led to extensive consultation on Mental Health Services, the draft Mental Health Policy and review of existing Mental Health Legislation which will be completed in 2026. Mental Health protocols at all institutions are also under review, as well as health practitioner training at all levels of care.