Government of St Kitts and Nevis raises the bar in the delivery of medical services through passage of the Medical Laboratories Bill, 2024

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (SKNIS) – Tuesday’s (March 26, 2024) successful passage of the Medical Laboratories Bill, 2024, has checked a number of important boxes that are necessary for transitioning the twin-island Federation into a model sustainable island state.

That’s according to mover of the Bill, Prime Minister and Minister of Health, the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, during the March 26, 2024, sitting of the National Assembly. Dr. Drew stated that the important piece of legislation mandates the establishment of a Medical Laboratories Council and provides the legislative framework for the licensing, monitoring and inspection of the operations of a medical laboratory.

“Medical Laboratories Bill seeks to ensure the accuracy, quality and ethical standards of medical laboratory services thereby safeguarding public health,” the health minister said. “When you have accuracy in lab results and testing, that means that doctors and medical practitioners will be in a better position to offer the best management and/or treatment for any medical condition that is being tested for,” added Prime Minister Drew who spoke with great confidence given his background as a medical doctor.

Medical laboratories are critical components of the healthcare system as they are responsible for conducting tests that aid in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of various medical conditions.

The Medical Laboratories Council to be created will comprise seven persons and will be responsible for licensing, inspecting, or causing an inspection to be undertaken of a medical laboratory; ensuring the observance of standards in the provision of laboratory services, as well as advising the minister on the accreditation and recognition of a medical laboratory and other matters under this Act and the Regulations.