Barbados Secures BDS$390 Million for Major Queen Elizabeth Hospital Expansion

Historic Investment to Transform Healthcare

The Government of Barbados has embarked on a landmark initiative to significantly upgrade and expand the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), securing a BDS$390 million (US$195 million) loan from a Chinese consortium. This substantial investment is poised to transform healthcare delivery across the island, marking the largest expansion of the QEH since its original construction.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Senator Dr. Jerome Walcott, and Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ryan Straughn, were key figures in the signing of the loan agreement at Government Headquarters. The project is expected to boost the hospital's overall capacity by approximately 40 percent.

Scope of the Major Expansion

The comprehensive expansion plan for the QEH includes the construction of two new towers, which will be connected to the existing hospital via a bridge over Martindale's Road. These new structures will add an estimated 19,320 square meters to the hospital's current 50,000 square meters. Key features of the expansion include:

• A new, state-of-the-art laboratory
• Four new wards, providing an additional 96 beds
• A dedicated burn unit
• Expanded outpatient facilities
• A comprehensive cancer treatment center (oncology unit)
• New administrative offices
• A helipad, staff gym, and daycare center

The new oncology unit is set to feature advanced technologies such as a linear accelerator, brachytherapy, a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner, and a cyclotron, significantly enhancing cancer care capabilities in Barbados.

Financing and Project Timeline

The BDS$390 million expansion is being financed through a deferred payment agreement with a Chinese consortium, specifically China Sinopharm International Corporation and China Railway (Caribbean) Construction Ltd. The loan carries an interest rate of 3.5 percent and is repayable over 11 years. Minister Straughn highlighted this as the 'best concessional financing' available given the project's urgency and mandate.

Groundbreaking for the project was anticipated before the end of 2025, with construction estimated to span 42 months, approximately three and a half years. The project will also ensure Barbadian involvement, with a 60/40 labor ratio favoring Chinese contractors but ensuring local participation.

Broader Healthcare Modernization Efforts

This major expansion is part of a wider, multi-faceted approach by the Barbadian government to modernize its healthcare infrastructure. In December 2024, the QEH unveiled a $24 million strategic plan (2023-2025) focused on refurbishing all 24 wards, expanding surgical capacity by adding three new theatres, implementing renewable energy systems, and upgrading its clinical waste management system. Each ward refurbishment is estimated to cost around $1 million.

Furthermore, an agreement signed in November 2024 with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and funded by a US$16.5 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) is addressing critical areas such as waste management, morgue ventilation, and the procurement of essential medical and ICT equipment. Prime Minister Mia Mottley also announced a commitment to purchase over $140 million in new medical equipment for the QEH, with the first tranche already underway.

Future Outlook for Barbadian Healthcare

The combined impact of these significant investments is expected to create a more efficient, accessible, and high-quality healthcare system for all Barbadians. Officials anticipate reduced waiting times, improved patient outcomes, and a better working environment for healthcare professionals, positioning the QEH as a leader in regional healthcare innovation.