Attorney says SVG has made tangible progress in healthcare since 2001 under current Government.

The views expressed herein are solely those of the writer.

By Adrian Odle

The Why Behind the “X”: SVG from 2001-2025 Part 1: Healthcare

Unfortunately, in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), public discourse and analysis by naysayers over-simplifies the rhetoric of development of our country to slogans like: “Nothing going on”, “Government aint do nothing since they reach”. While it is crucial for a democratic society to have opinions on the Government, it is equally important that fair analysis be given to what the Government has managed to do emerging from the rubble of disasters and a colonial economy.

The archipelago of St. Vincent and the Grenadines began on a path of development since 2001. Here, we examine the development of our island based on what the population seemingly focuses on the most, healthcare, tourism, infrastructure, the economy (GDP), education initiatives, roads and other public works so that we have a balanced assessment, not blind praise, nor unjust condemnation.

A quick snapshot of progress

Before doing a brief assessment of some of the sectors, we must look at some broad markers of development. According to the World Bank/Human Capital data, SVG’s current health expenditure was about 5.4 % of GDP in 2021. The economy is also described by the World Bank as having recovered and remained strong in 2025. Meanwhile, one of our fastest growing sectors, tourism, shows a reported 17.3 % increase in 2025 compared with 2024. The math speaks for itself,  these numbers don’t come from “nothing”, something has been happening across the years and it is something positive. Numbers only tell part of the story.

Healthcare

In healthcare, we see tangible progress since the current government has been in power. For example, between 2000 and 2022, infant mortality in SVG has dropped from 15.7 per 1,000 live births to around 12. Further examining health in SVG we see the maternal mortality ratio estimated at 61 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020 which is a 19 % reduction since the current Government took office. In SVG we also have what is in essence, free hemodialysis at the Modern Medical & Diagnostic Centre (MMDC), Georgetown.

Nay sayers ask why this is important. Healthcare is a core component of many countries. When a Vincentian child’s risk of death falls, when our mothers survive childbirth, when the family members of our citizens can receive free hemodialysis, these are undeniable proof of development.

It would be a great blunder and intentional blinding of the eyes to dismiss these improvements as “nothing”. In our small island plagued by our colonial economic past, each percentage point of improvement represents real investment in healthcare.

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