PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – On Thursday, August 13, 2026, eight Members of Parliament serving on Parliament’s Committee of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) visited the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for an official presentation and guided tour of the new St. Maarten General Hospital (SMGH), currently under construction.
The parliamentary delegation was welcomed by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Felix Holiday and members of the SMMC management team. The Committee received a comprehensive presentation from St. Maarten General Hospital Project Manager, Mr. Henk de Zeeuw, who provided an update on the current status of the project, the planning, procurement process, and preparations for the eventual commissioning and transition into the new facility. The presentation highlighted not only the physical progress of construction but also the parallel investment in staff training, certification, and international accreditation to ensure the hospital is fully prepared to operate from its first day of service.
Following the presentation, the delegation was guided through the new hospital by Ms. Erika van der Horst, who provided details of the various departments and the advanced medical infrastructure that will significantly strengthen healthcare delivery on Sint Maarten.
The Committee was impressed by the scale and ambition of the project. Once completed, the new St. Maarten General Hospital will feature 104 inpatient beds, four operating theatres, expanded dialysis services, advanced diagnostic capabilities including MRI, a helicopter platform, and resilient infrastructure capable of operating independently for up to seven days following a disaster.
On Friday, August 14, Chair of the VSA Committee, Member of Parliament Veronica Jansen-Webster, met with Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Mr. Claret Connor, to brief him on the Committee’s findings following the site visit.
Minister Connor expressed satisfaction upon learning that the project extends far beyond the construction of a new building. He welcomed the significant emphasis being placed on developing the hospital’s human resources through structured staff training, certification programs, and preparations for international accreditation. The Minister noted that investing in the professional development of healthcare workers aligns fully with his broader vision of strengthening human capital throughout Sint Maarten’s service industries, where continuous training and internationally recognized standards are essential to delivering high-quality services.
At the same time, the Minister voiced concern regarding the additional delays affecting completion of the project. According to the planning presentation provided to Parliament, the current schedule anticipates completion of the main building by June 30, 2027, with the transition into the new hospital expected to begin during July–August 2027, however there are already additional delays anticipated that might push the completion and move-in date back some months, possibly to December 2027. The Committee acknowledged that these timelines remain dependent on the resolution of ongoing settlement discussions, the hurricane season as well as other project-related factors.
“The people of Sint Maarten understandably look forward to the opening of this modern healthcare facility,” Minister Claret Connor said. “While everyone appreciates that a project of this magnitude presents complex technical and logistical challenges, delays inevitably create uncertainty regarding the move-in schedule and the date on which patients can begin receiving care in the new hospital. It is therefore important that the public continues to receive timely and transparent updates.”
MP Jansen-Webster emphasized that the visit demonstrated the dedication of the SMMC management team and the many professionals working to ensure that the hospital will not only be a modern building but also a modern healthcare institution staffed by highly trained professionals and equipped to meet international standards.
“The Committee left encouraged by what we observed. We saw a project that is steadily taking shape and a management team that is equally focused on preparing its people. A world-class hospital requires both world-class infrastructure and world-class professionals.”
Minister Connor further stated that he and MP Veronica Jansen-Webster have agreed to continue monitoring the progress of the St. Maarten General Hospital project and to keep the community informed through regular updates as key milestones are achieved.
“The new St. Maarten General Hospital is a national investment that belongs to the people of this country. Parliament and Government share the responsibility of ensuring that the project reaches completion successfully and that the public remains informed throughout the process.”
The VSA Committee extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Felix Holiday, Mr. Henk de Zeeuw, Ms. Erika van der Horst, and the entire management team of the St. Maarten Medical Center for their hospitality, transparency, and willingness to engage with Parliament during what proved to be an informative and productive visit.
