Barbados is launching a major $185 million initiative aimed at transforming inner-city communities and upgrading healthcare facilities across the island. The dual-focus investment includes new housing infrastructure, climate-resilient upgrades, and long-overdue improvements to the polyclinic system.
Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Ryan Straughn, presented two related resolutions in the House of Assembly this week under the Special Loans Act. The government will borrow $68.4 million from the Saudi Fund for Development to support the urban renewal phase, and an additional $117 million for primary healthcare enhancements.
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Straughn emphasized that the urban renewal component revives a previously cancelled Inter-American Development Bank loan meant to address similar issues in Bridgetown over 17 years ago.
“This Parliament, in approving this resolution, will allow us to unlock roughly US$38 million (BDS$76 million) in respect of this particular project,” Straughn said.
Urban Renewal: Building Resilient Communities
The urban renewal programme will focus first on the Chapman Lane area and surrounding neighborhoods, where upgrades will include:
- Sewage system connections
- Sanitary facility construction
- Retrofitting homes for climate resilience
- Replacing pit toilets with modern sanitation
- Installation of household water tanks with battery-powered pumps
The initiative aims to improve housing conditions for low-income residents and provide modern infrastructure that can withstand hurricanes and other extreme weather events.
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Straughn acknowledged that disruptions such as roadworks and dust would be inevitable, but necessary:
“You cannot get the improved quality of life without some level of disruption… positive disruption in this case.”
He called on residents, landlords, and private-sector partners to be patient and supportive as the work begins.
Polyclinic Upgrades: Strengthening Primary Healthcare
The second component of the plan includes significant healthcare infrastructure investment:
- Two new specialist primary-care clinics will be built at Eunice Gibson (Warrens, St Michael) and Randal Phillips (Christ Church).
- Seven existing clinics will be upgraded, including:
- Winston Scott Polyclinic (24-hour service)
- Maurice Byer Polyclinic
- St Philip Polyclinic
- Frederick Miller Polyclinic
- Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic
- Branford Taitt Polyclinic
- David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex
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These upgrades aim to expand access to quality healthcare and better equip the country’s primary-care system for future challenges.
Straughn noted that had the previous government not cancelled the original urban renewal loan, Barbados might already be in the later stages of this redevelopment journey. Still, he said the government is committed to pushing forward now, with support from international partners and the Saudi Fund for Development.
“At the end of it, we hope to see not just climate‑resilient communities across Barbados, but also more financially resilient communities, and communities… with access to better facilities for social activities as well as more comfortable housing.”
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