St Jude Hospital (SJH) observed 50 years of providing healthcare services to the people of Saint Lucia under the theme "Celebrating 50 Years of Dedicated Service: We Fall, We Rise, We Thrive."

The anniversary was commemorated with a Sep. 5 church service at the George Odlum Stadium.

The event allowed the institution to reflect on the trials and achievements that have punctuated its history.

SJH was formally opened as a charity hospital on Sep. 5, 1966 by Mother Irma and the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, a Franciscan religious order based in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA. This was done under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church.

Initially, patient care was free, and the hospital was staffed primarily by volunteer doctors, technicians and others from the United States and other countries.

Since the St. Jude Hospital Act No. 7 by Parliament in 2003, the hospital has been managed by an independent Board of Directors. The Government of Saint Lucia partially subsidizes the hospital with an annual grant that is used to pay the salaries of hospital employees. The hospital relies on revenues generated by patients, and donations, to meet the operating costs not covered by the governmental subsidy.

On Sep. 9, 2009, St. Jude was destroyed by a fire, which resulted in temporary relocation at the George Odlum Stadium.

Nonetheless, SJH continues to make major contributions to the provision of healthcare in Saint Lucia despite being housed in less than ideal conditions.

It is the major healthcare institution responsible for providing healthcare to the entire southern half of the island inhabited by 42 percent of the population. St. Jude Hospital is also the key hospital in providing support to the Hewanorra International Airport.

In 2015, St. Jude provided care and treatment to more than 42,000 patients, and delivered 694 babies.

Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Chierry A. Poyotte stated that these statistics are indicative of the resilience and hard work of hospital staff who continue to work under difficult and extremely trying conditions.

The celebratory church service was one of a number of planned activities to mark the milestone anniversary. The hospital will also host a gala dinner and reception on Oct. 28, the Feast of St. Jude.