PHILIPSBURG:--- 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 project's current status, the planning and procurement process, and preparations for the eventual commissioning and transition to 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.
After the presentation, Ms. Erika van der Horst guided the delegation through the new hospital, highlighting the various departments and advanced medical infrastructure that will significantly strengthen healthcare delivery on Sint Maarten.
The Committee was impressed by the project's scale and ambition. 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 at learning that the project extends far beyond constructing a new building. He welcomed the strong emphasis 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 about additional delays affecting the project's completion. 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 depend on the resolution of ongoing settlement discussions, the hurricane season, and 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 steadily taking shape and a management team 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 an informative and productive visit.
