BASSETERRE, Saint Kitts – July 21, 2026 – One of Saint Kitts’ longest-serving care institutions for senior and indigent residents has entered a new era of upgrade, as Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew marked the official launch of a comprehensive rehabilitation project at Cardin Home during an on-site visit Tuesday.
Founded more than 99 years ago, Cardin Home is preparing to mark its 100th anniversary in May 2027. The multi-phase overhaul, led by the Public Works Department with labor contributed by His Majesty’s Prison, forms the core of the government’s broader initiative to bring the historic facility up to global care standards.
Accompanied by senior health ministry and Cardin Home leadership, Prime Minister Drew – who also serves as Minister of Health – reaffirmed the administration’s pledge to invest in both physical infrastructure and care quality to build a modern, safe, and dignified living environment for the nation’s vulnerable residents.
“For generations, this institution has served our people with extraordinary dedication. It is long past time that we deliver the upgrades it deserves,” Drew shared during his tour. “We are making substantial investments to guarantee living conditions that meet the needs of every resident who calls Cardin Home home.”
The prime minister also extended public recognition to His Majesty’s Prison for its collaborative partnership on the project, confirming that the government will entrust long-term maintenance of the facility to the skilled workforce of the prison service moving forward. This decision, he explained, is designed to prevent future lapses in upkeep that could compromise living conditions for residents.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to His Majesty’s Prison and all the workers who will carry out the bulk of this transformation,” Drew said. “As we have committed previously, ongoing upgrades and regular maintenance will remain under the care of the prison service, so we never again see the kind of serious neglect that would put optimal living conditions at risk for the people who live here.”
Dr. Jenson Morton, Director of Health Projects and Strategic Initiatives, detailed the project’s timeline, noting that construction kicked off with roof rehabilitation on the lower female residential wing – the first of four on-site residential buildings set for full comprehensive upgrades. Two of the four wings house female residents, while the remaining two accommodate male residents, and all will undergo extensive renovations over the coming months.
“Our central objective is to deliver a fully upgraded, safe, and comfortable living space for all our seniors and indigent residents by the centennial anniversary in 2027,” Morton explained. “This initiative goes beyond physical infrastructure; we are also working to strengthen the quality of care and support services available to every person at the facility.”
The full scope of the project spans far more than structural repairs. It includes complete re-roofing for all residential units, overhauls of outdated plumbing and electrical systems, and upgrades to carpentry, flooring, walls, and windows. Common areas will also receive a full modernization, covering the facility’s kitchen, laundry services, dining hall, recreation spaces, physical therapy suite, and on-site sick bay. Additional upgrades include full perimeter re-fencing, upgraded security systems, and new furniture and fixtures across the entire property.
This press release was issued by the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS) and distributed via SKNVibes.com, which published the content as received without editorial alterations.