The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs in Saint Lucia has announced the successful completion of the Enhancing Health Infrastructure and Resilience Project. This achievement marks Saint Lucia as the first member state in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to fully implement this regional initiative. The project, which is part of a larger $3 million investment funded by the California-based nonprofit organization Direct Relief, was executed in partnership with the OECS Commission.
The OECS reports that the initiative has facilitated the donation of important medical equipment aimed at addressing significant gaps in Saint Lucia’s health infrastructure. This enhancement comes at a vital time as the nation, along with the wider region, continues to recover from recent disasters, including Hurricane Beryl in 2024, and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new equipment, which includes oxygen concentrators, is intended to bolster public health systems that must remain agile and responsive in the face of emergencies, shared the OECS release.
During the handover ceremony, Dr. Roxanne Brizan-St. Martin, Programme Director for Health, Social Inclusion and Social Protection at the OECS Commission, spoke about the project’s regional significance.“By fortifying the resilience of our health systems, our member states will be better equipped to navigate health emergencies and crisis, ensuring that our populations continue to receive care even amidst adversity.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, Jenny Daniel, reiterated the importance of the initiative and the Ministry’s long-term vision. She highlighted that the donation ensures the availability of necessary equipment and facilities to support ongoing treatment amid disruptions. “This donation today highlights our commitment to ensuring that we have the necessary equipment and facilities in place to support continued treatment, even during disruptions caused by pandemics or natural disasters. Our priority is to preserve life and minimize the risk of premature death aligning squarely with the ministry’s mandate” Daniel explained.
Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste, also acknowledged the national significance of this collaboration, expressing gratitude to both Direct Relief and the OECS Commission for their contributions. The project embodies a commitment to resilience-building and regional integration, thereby enhancing emergency response capacity and improving healthcare delivery for the people of Saint Lucia.
