Barbados offers some of the highest quality healthcare among the Caribbean nations. But with limited resources and an increasing demand for care – particularly from an aging population – public health facilities can experience overcrowding and long waiting times.

As a small-island, Barbados is also highly vulnerable to the impact of climate change, which affects the islanders’ health and wellbeing – adding a further strain on the country’s health system.

A new agreement between UNOPS and Barbados’ Ministry of Health and Wellness will strengthen the capacity of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital – a primary public healthcare facility and accredited teaching hospital located in Barbados' capital city Bridgetown.

Under this new initiative, funded by a loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), UNOPS will support the government to ensure the hospital can respond effectively to present needs and build resilience to future stress.

“Together, we’re investing in vital upgrades that will improve healthcare quality,” he added.

The project includes the rehabilitation of the waste management system and the morgue as well as the sustainable procurement of essential IT equipment to support the digitization of the hospital services. Much-needed medical and other equipment will also be provisioned under the project.

“This collaboration is set to strengthen essential infrastructure and resources at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital – enhancing its capacity to provide high quality healthcare services," said Wayne Marshall, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Wellness in Barbados.

"It also reinforces the Ministry's commitment to ensuring safe, efficient, and responsive healthcare environments for both patients and staff,” he added.

This agreement follows a partnership between UNOPS, the government of Barbados and other partners to support the recovery of the national health system in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic by procuring and delivering equipment to 13 public hospitals nationwide.