Government of Saint Lucia

Health officials from the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, alongside the Environmental Health Division, launched a Mosquito Awareness Roadshow across the communities of Aupicon, Pierrot, Belle Vue, Grace, and surrounding areas on Sunday, November 3, 2024. This community-centered outreach aimed to equip residents with essential knowledge on vector control practices, helping them reduce mosquito breeding sites. Through direct engagement and practical demonstrations, the event reinforced the importance of individual and community action in curbing mosquito-borne illnesses.

Saint Lucia has launched another plan to further reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Through the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, the National Ozone Unit intends to phase-out what came to be a reliable replacement for ozone depleting substances.

Efforts are underway to ensure the swift reopening of the Vieux Fort Wellness Centre, a vital health facility serving the town of Vieux Fort and environs. Health services were temporarily suspended recently to address the compromised central air conditioning (AC) unit which resulted in the buildup of mold at the wellness centre. Officials at the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs are working diligently to complete the renovations, aiming to provide residents with improved access to quality healthcare in a safe and comfortable setting.

In an interview with Axel Philip, the Project Officer in the Corporate Planning Unit overseeing the rehabilitation work at the Vieux Fort Wellness Centre, an update on the progress and scope of the project was provided. “Since it’s a central unit we do not have split units in there which would have been those one ceiling units you would usually find at residential areas. You find that each room and we have a count of probably 14 rooms in here, who has those central units ducting coming through it. So you find that every one of those rooms, I think it’s up to 12 of them, those ceilings were compromised and we do have to replace all those gypsy and boards. Right now we are trying to replace them with PVC board to prevent the moisture from remaining in there and keeping it so we’re changing them with the PVC board so that we’d be able to get more and better quality in the ceiling.”

The Project Officer highlighted the recommendation made to replace the central air conditioning system with individual split units at the wellness centre. This change, he noted would enhance efficiency and ease of maintenance. “Right now they’re actually gutting out the central unit from the ceiling because we would not want to leave that central unit in there with all the ducting, because anything can happen. We would have things bringing in those same impurities, those same debris out into the open. So we need to just get everything out so that we can get a better air space inside there.”

Philip expressed sincere gratitude to neighboring health facilities, including St. Jude Hospital and the Laborie Wellness Centre, for their invaluable support in accommodating patients during the temporary closure of the Vieux Fort Wellness Centre. Their assistance, he noted, has been crucial in ensuring uninterrupted care for the town of Vieux Fort amid ongoing renovations. “For the space what we have done is since we’re doing this by phases, removing the ducting and ensuring it is done, also putting in the split units after we’ll be getting a company to actually come in to do some air scrubbing and a deep cleaning will be done in the facility before we can have anyone

come in to do any work. We also have Environmental Health Division coming in to do some testing to ensure that the air quality would be definite for us to resume working there.”

As the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs works around the clock to bring the Vieux Fort Wellness Centre back into operation, residents can look forward to an upgraded facility designed with patient comfort and quality care at its core.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs joins in observing Medicine Safety Week from November 4-10. Now in its ninth year, the global #MedSafetyWeek social media campaign aims to promote the safe and informed use of medicines by encouraging individuals to report any suspected side effects.

This year’s theme, “ The importance of using medicines in the right way to prevent side effects, and to report side effects when they do occur,” highlights the importance of responsible medication practices for everyone’s health and well-being. Recognizing and reporting side effects helps health authorities and healthcare providers monitor the safety of medicines and make better-informed decisions for public health.

The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment, in partnership with the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), recently conducted an orientation event via the Koudmen Sent Lisi Program aimed at empowering and uplifting some of the island's most vulnerable families.

Held at the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC), the activity brought together participants from across Saint Lucia to explore the program's vision, objectives, and opportunities for involvement.

In an important step toward expanding educational opportunities, the Department of Education, Innovation and Vocational Training presented the annual College and Career Fair at the Finance Administrative Centre, an initiative designed to open doors for Saint Lucian students.

Saint Lucia’s National Anti-Money Laundering Oversight Committee took an important step in strengthening national security with a specialized Anti-Terrorism Training and Sensitization exercise. This training underscores Saint Lucia’s commitment to aligning with international standards as the country continues to enhance its anti-terrorism financing framework.

As society faces growing challenges, the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment places its focus on grassroots solutions, encouraging citizens to form and join community-based organizations (CBOs) that can lead the charge in local development. These organizations empower residents to take ownership of their communities, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.

Deputy Director for Social Transformation, Kendall Elva, spoke about the Ministry's efforts to recognize and support these groups as critical contributors to sustainable development.

"Community-based organizations play a very important role in addressing the various social, economic, and environmental issues affecting our communities. These organizations serve as a perfect avenue for our people to give back and positively impact community residents. They also provide an opportunity for leaders to develop their leadership skills. The Ministry of Equity encourages individuals to form community-based organizations. These organizations can have a minimum of three individuals, as per the Non-Governmental Organization Act, and these individuals can invite others to join with them." noted Elva.

Mr. Elva highlighted the vital role of Social Transformation Officers in working closely with CBOs by assisting in structuring groups, developing constitutions, and securing resources for projects aimed at improving community life.

"To form a community-based organization, we encourage community residents to contact their Social Transformation Officers, previously known as Community Development Officers. Every community in St. Lucia has a Social Transformation Officer assigned to it. Once contacted, these officers provide guidance on the necessary steps, such as creating a constitution that outlines the organization’s structure and objectives. Social Transformation Officers meet with the group multiple times to ensure that all founding documents are in place."

The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment urges community leaders, faith-based groups, and residents to reach out to their designated Social Transformation Officers (STO) to explore how they can contribute to community development through the formation of CBOs.

In a groundbreaking development for healthcare in Saint Lucia, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs recently unveiled the cutting-edge I Screen System. The launch marked a pivotal moment in healthcare technology advancement on the island, as it saw the convergence of key stakeholders from the Ministry and the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), long standing partners in the progression of healthcare services in Saint Lucia.

The innovative I Screen System is poised to revolutionize health screenings nationwide. This state-of-the-art system harnesses digital technology to optimize the screening process, facilitating swift data collection, secure storage, and seamless access for healthcare professionals. Saint Lucians are set to reap substantial benefits from this cutting-edge system, as it promises expedited and precise diagnoses, ultimately elevating the quality of patient care and health outcomes across the country.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs conveys sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused by the temporary redirection of services from the Castries Wellness Centre. Over the years, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs has remained steadfast in providing high-quality primary health care through our Community Health Nursing Service, supporting individuals, families, and communities in Saint Lucia.

Despite our best efforts, the Castries Wellness Centre experienced significant structural and situational deterioration over time, leading to hazardous conditions for both clients and staff.

Recognizing the urgent need to safeguard everyone who relies on our services, we made the difficult but necessary decision to redirect services from the Castries Wellness Centre to the La Clery and other nearby Wellness Centres. We understand the disruption this may have caused, and we thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve our facilities for a safer, stronger healthcare environment.