The Barbadian government has secured a $195 million loan to fund a significant expansion of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), a move expected to increase the facility’s capacity by approximately 40%. Health Minister Senator Jerome Walcott announced the groundbreaking initiative on Monday, highlighting that construction is slated to commence before the end of the year. The project, financed through a deferred payment agreement with a Chinese consortium, carries an interest rate of 3.5% over an 11-year term. The loan agreement was formalized during a ceremony at Government Headquarters. The expansion will add 19,320 square metres to the existing 50,000-square-metre hospital, featuring two new towers connected to the current structure via a bridge over Martindale’s Road. One tower will house a state-of-the-art laboratory, four new wards with 96 additional beds, a burn unit, and expanded outpatient facilities, while the second will include a cutting-edge cancer treatment center and administrative offices. The oncology unit will be equipped with advanced technologies, such as a linear accelerator, brachytherapy, a PET scanner, and a cyclotron, elevating cancer care in Barbados to unprecedented levels. Additionally, the project will address long-standing staff requests by incorporating amenities like a gym and a crèche for nurses’ children. The new laboratory is designed to tackle emerging diseases and antimicrobial resistance, addressing challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction is estimated to take 42 months, with 60% of the labor provided by Chinese contractors and 40% by local workers. Finance Minister Ryan Straughn emphasized the project’s significance as a major social investment, underscoring its role in improving healthcare accessibility, reducing waiting times, and enhancing working conditions for medical professionals. The expansion is part of a broader health system transformation, including polyclinic refurbishments and equipment upgrades, funded by the Saudi Fund for Development and Barbadian credit unions. Straughn assured citizens that the project reflects prudent fiscal management and will yield long-term benefits for the nation’s healthcare ecosystem.