In the headlines: The Ministry of External Affairs addresses the U.S. pause on immigrant visa processing, and Minister for Equity, Honorable Emma Hippolyte, meets with key agencies under her new portfolio.

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The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) is developing a new three-year Corporate Strategic Business Plan to guide its operations from 2026 to 2029. The week-long, in-house workshop brought together senior IRD leadership and consultants from the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC), who are providing technical guidance and facilitation.

Following the completion of SMART rehabilitative works on the Fond Assau Wellness Centre under the OECS Regional Health Project, the facility officially reopened its doors to serve the residents of the community. The wellness centre is now a more upgraded and comfortable space for residents to access health services. With the SMART works undertaken, the facility is more resilient to managing during a public health emergency or disaster. A team which consisted of the Minister for Health, Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste, Parliamentary Representative for Babonneau, Hon. John Paul Estephane; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Jenny Daniel and other senior health officers took the opportunity to visit the facility and do a walk-through of the newly rehabilitated Fond Assau Wellness Centre and assess the work which was done.

In the headlines: Construction work at the Hewanorra International Airport will begin in the first half of the year, and the media launch for the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival is scheduled for next week.

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January is observed as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and therefore the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition has renewed its commitment to ending cervical cancer as a public health problem—an achievable goal when we vaccinate, screen, and treat in a timely and equitable way. Saint Lucia has already made meaningful strides towards elimination targets and has seen increased HPV coverage in girls and boys aged 11-12 years. The Ministry of Health has also improved its access to screening, care and follow-up for cervical cancer. There has been increased screening of women at the primary healthcare level – an engagement that we will continue to strengthen. Cervical cancer screening is now offered under Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing and liquid-based cytology (LBC) being made available island wide. Services are available, with a strong focus at the primary care level. Cervical cancer prevention and early detection services are offered throughout the health system, with Primary Care and Community Wellness Centres playing a central role. This month, the Ministry of Health will continue focused action to expand coverage, improve screening quality and follow-up, and ensure that every woman can access prevention, early detection, and care.

Senior Leadership within the Ministry of Health which included the Minister for Health, Permanent Secretary, Heads of Departments, representatives from projects such as OECS Regional Health Project and CDB and high level representatives from St. Jude Hospital and OKEU Hospital met for an Introductory and Strategic Meeting at the Bay Gardens Hotel. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the progress made on programmes, activities and projects within the ministry and also to align the plans and priorities for 2026/ 2027. This meeting is aimed at strengthening coordination, planning and service delivery across the national health sector. The gathering marked an important opportunity for dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders responsible for the management and delivery of public healthcare services in Saint Lucia.

Minister in the Ministry of Education , Danny Butcher who has responsibility for Special Schools, has undertaken visits to all five Special Education Institutions on Island.

In the headlines: The government of Saint Lucia advances reforms to support business development and; farmers are being asked to prepare for a severe dry season.

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