Kingstown St. Vincent May 18, 2026-The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines says urgent restoration work will be carried out at the Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre after Health Minister Daniel Cummings described conditions at the facility as deeply concerning following a site visit with ministry officials.
Mr Cummings, accompanied by representatives from the Ministry of Health, BRAGSA and the Ministry of Works, toured the institution after staff raised what he called “loud and sustained” concerns about conditions at the centre.
“If ever there was a need for a visit, what we’re seeing today makes it abundantly clear,” the minister said during the visit.
He said the government had already instructed technical officials to assess urgent restorative works needed at the facility so that funding could be identified quickly.
“My goodness, issues there are,” Mr Cummings said, pointing to challenges affecting patients, staff and visitors alike.
The minister also highlighted what he described as a “significant difference” between the male and female sections of the institution, saying the situation “cries out for help”.
He said some interventions would be addressed in the short term, while others would require longer-term planning aimed at improving safety and creating what he called a “more secure and humane environment”.
The Mental Health Rehabilitation Centre, located in Villa, is the country’s main psychiatric facility and provides both in-patient and out-patient mental health services. It was originally constructed in 1938 and later expanded to increase patient capacity.
Chief Medical Officer Simone Keizer-Beache, who joined the visit, praised staff at the institution for continuing to work under difficult conditions.
“What is happening is the tremendous work the staff are doing despite the challenges and their commitment to improving the mental health of the patients here and outside,” Dr Keizer-Beache said.