CASTRIES, St.Lucia, CMC – A deliberate improve of the St. Lucia well being methods, made attainable via a US$9.86 million mortgage from the Caribbean Growth Financial institution (CDB), financed by the European Funding Financial institution (EIB), will start shortly following a launch right here on Thursday.
Practically US$2 million shall be utilized for buying important medical gear resembling ventilators, x-ray machines, ultrasound gadgets, and dental, neonatal, and eye care gear.
The benefiting well being amenities embody La Ressource Wellness Centre, Castries City Centre, Dennery Hospital, Soufriere Hospital, Consolation Bay Residence for Older Individuals, St. Jude Hospital, Vieux-Fort Wellness Centre and Gros Islet Polyclinic.
One other US$3 million shall be allotted for enhancements at 5 healthcare amenities. Two amenities broken by hearth in recent times, the La Ressource Wellness Centre and the Soufriere Hospital, shall be refurbished and rehabilitated. On the identical time, the Consolation Bay Residence for Older Individuals shall be retrofitted and expanded.
The Castries City Centre shall be relocated and expanded, and a brand new annex shall be added to the Dennery Hospital.
The financing may also facilitate capability constructing for healthcare employees in important areas, together with Biomedical Gear Technician Certification, rehabilitation and counseling, and danger communication.
The remaining funds will assist coaching for nurses in a spread of specialties, together with intensive care, nephrology, neonatology, emergency care, senior care, oncology, and nursing administration, procuring provides and prescribed drugs, in addition to offering a spread of coaching and capacity-building options for well being care employees.
In line with CDB’s Director of Venture, Therese Turner-Jones, the funding would assist to place Saint Lucia to higher reply to well being crises strategically. “These sources will strengthen the resilience of Saint Lucia and permit residents and well being establishments to face up to surprising challenges higher now and sooner or later.”
The venture financing was offered underneath the EIB Local weather Motion Line of Credit score II – COVID-19 element.
Three international locations will profit from the US$29.8 million settlement underneath which the EIB goals to bolster the area’s well being methods within the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic with concessional financing because of backing from the European Union (EU).
Investing in strengthening healthcare worldwide is likely one of the pillars of the EU’s International Gateway technique, through which the EIB is a vital associate.
Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewksa of the EU Delegation to Barbados and the Jap Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM/CARIFORUM, asserted that – “The EU has been a key supporter of the well being sector in Saint Lucia for a few years. You will need to word that standalone tasks such because the Owen King-EU Hospital are one of many methods we assist Saint Lucia. Supporting the well being system with acceptable and appropriate ranges of kit and employees for service supply is instantly aligned with our international dedication to Common Well being Protection.”
In line with the EIB Consultant for Southern and Jap Caribbean, Ms. Kristina Eisele, “The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated greater than ever the significance of environment friendly and efficient healthcare. At EIB International, we’re glad to finance new medical gear, refurbished buildings, and specialist coaching in Saint Lucia, which can assist to make sure individuals in every single place on the island obtain the care they want.”
And Saint Lucia’s Minister for Well being, Wellness & Aged Affairs, Moses Jn. Baptiste mentioned the federal government is dedicated to well being care reform, “We consider that common well being protection is achievable. We should speed up healthcare reform and be prepared for the following pandemic, not if it comes however when it comes. These actions are important, and I look ahead to implementing these tasks.”
The EIB is financing comparable tasks in Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), that are scheduled to be launched later in February. The Grenada initiative will contain well being infrastructure works, whereas the efforts in SVG will embody strengthening the medical provide chain.
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