CASTRIES, St. Lucia — The St. Lucia Polyclinic will close temporarily this week after an environmental health assessment confirmed the presence of bed bugs, known locally as Pinez, at the facility, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition announced Wednesday. The affected site, formally known as the Dr. Betty Wells Urban Polyclinic, is expected to reopen Monday, May 18.
The closure runs from Wednesday, May 13, through Sunday, May 17, 2026, with all primary healthcare services redirected to the La Clery Wellness Centre for the duration. That facility will operate extended hours, remaining open from 8 a.m. to midnight daily to absorb the displaced patient load. The announcement was first disclosed by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition via the Government of St. Lucia public service portal.
Services Shifted, Eye Clinic Stays Open
Emergency cases during the closure period are to be directed to the Owen King EU Hospital. The National Eye Clinic, housed within the polyclinic complex, will continue normal operations and is not affected by the temporary shutdown.
The ministry said its Environmental Health Division identified the infestation during a routine assessment and has since begun treatment of the affected areas. The closure is the latest in a series of facility challenges at the polyclinic, which drew public scrutiny over documented construction failures shortly after it opened in December 2024.
What St. Lucia Polyclinic Patients Need to Know
Residents who rely on the polyclinic for primary care, including chronic disease management, maternal health visits, and general outpatient consultations, should report instead to the La Clery Wellness Centre before midnight each day through Sunday. Those experiencing emergencies should proceed directly to OKEU rather than to either clinic.
The swift redirection of services reflects the ministry’s obligation to maintain uninterrupted primary care access across Castries, even as it conducts remediation work to ensure the safety of both patients and clinical staff.
