Saint Lucia has develop into the primary Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS) member to totally implement the Enhancing Well being Infrastructure and Resilience Venture, a US$3 million regional initiative geared toward strengthening healthcare methods throughout the Japanese Caribbean.
Funded by California-based nonprofit Direct Aid and executed in collaboration with the OECS Fee, the undertaking has delivered essential medical tools to the island, serving to to deal with longstanding infrastructure gaps which were additional uncovered by disasters equivalent to Hurricane Beryl in 2024 and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a latest handover ceremony, Dr. Roxanne Brizan-St Martin, Programme Director for Well being, Social Inclusion and Social Safety on the OECS Fee, underscored the undertaking’s broader significance for the area.
“By fortifying the resilience of our well being methods, our member states will likely be higher outfitted to navigate well being emergencies and disaster, guaranteeing that our populations proceed to obtain care even amidst adversity. This dedication finally contributes to the institution of extra sustainable well being care methods inside our member states,” she mentioned.
The newly donated tools—equivalent to oxygen concentrators—helps not solely emergency preparedness but in addition long-term system resilience. The timing is essential, as public well being methods throughout the area are being pushed to develop into extra agile and responsive.
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Jenny Daniel, Everlasting Secretary within the Ministry of Well being, Wellness and Aged Affairs, emphasised the strategic significance of the donation.
“This donation at the moment highlights our dedication to making sure that we have now the mandatory tools and services in place to assist continued remedy, even throughout disruptions attributable to pandemics or pure disasters. Our precedence is to protect life and minimise the danger of untimely demise aligning squarely with the ministry’s mandate.
“I additionally need to categorical our gratitude to the OECS Fee for his or her ongoing collaboration and assist throughout varied initiatives, together with HIV, tuberculosis, and different necessary well being initiatives the place they’ve offered invaluable help,” Daniel added.
The undertaking is being held up as a mannequin of regional cooperation, demonstrating the ability of planning, partnership, and shared accountability. With Saint Lucia setting the tempo, the initiative aligns with the OECS Fee’s targets of resilience-building and regional integration.
Minister for Well being, Wellness and Aged Affairs, Moses Jn Baptiste, reaffirmed the nationwide significance of the initiative.
“Via collaborative efforts with the OECS Fee and Direct Aid, and with cautious planning, the procurement of oxygen concentrators will considerably improve healthcare supply and enhance well being outcomes for the individuals of Saint Lucia. This strategic alliance helps key well being growth priorities of the OECS Fee, whereas additionally aligning with the mandate of Direct Aid. The Authorities of Saint Lucia extends honest gratitude to each Direct Aid and the OECS Fee for this invaluable contribution,” he acknowledged.
Each the Ministry of Well being and the OECS Fee expressed confidence that the enhancements will enhance Saint Lucia’s emergency response capability, strengthen total healthcare supply, and finally shield the lives and well-being of its residents.
