Government of Saint Lucia

In the headlines:: The Ministry of Equity addresses the critical gap in cross-agency support for the rehabilitation and reintegration of adult offenders and; Farmers in Region 3 have received another round of support from the Taiwan Technical Mission

For details on these developments and more, visit: www.govt.lc 

The Ministry of Education, through the Curriculum and Materials Development Unit (CAMDU), held its Sixth Annual Physical Education and Sport conference recently at the Saint Lucia Sports Academy under the theme “Attaining Sustainable Development Goals through Physical Education and Sport”.

In the headlines:: New events and old favorites make Lucian Carnival 2024, special for all revelers and; Saint Lucia partners with the World Bank for the 2024/25 household budget survey.

For details on these developments and more, visit: www.govt.lc 

Farmers in Region 3 have received another round of support as the Taiwan Technical Mission, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development, teamed up to host another input sale.

The carnival season is now in high gear and it is truly an exciting time for lovers of this festival. A time for fun, for frolic and for freeing up. With all the energy and excitement that comes with this time of year, we at the Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat encourage to all to spare a moment. Let’s also plan on making safety a priority; your safety and that of others.

Alcohol has traditionally featured greatly in our carnival celebrations and though we by no means promote its use, to reduce harmful effects, there are simple things that can be done. Do not drink if you have not eaten. Ensure what you choose to eat is not salty as both salt and alcohol cause dehydration. After every drink with alcohol, be sure to have water. Do not accept drinks from strangers and if someone is serving you a beverage, it is best to watch as it is being prepared, poured and served to you. Importantly, for you and for fellow road users, anyone who is driving a vehicle should not be drinking any alcohol. Drinking alcohol negatively affects coordination, alertness and good judgement. Do not drink and then get behind the wheel of a vehicle to drive. Vendors sales and profit are both important but not at the expense of our children. Do not sell or serve any drink with alcohol to children.

To people who have a habit of smoking, our public spaces including the carnival parties and shows, are shared spaces of enjoyment. Let us be considerate. Smoking of any kind in any public space makes it uncomfortable for non-smokers and can affect the health of people who have certain health challenges. Let’s just clear the air by keeping it smoke free.

Let’s make choices to create a memorable, inclusive and safe carnival for all who chose to be part of this year’s events.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs informs the general public of the low blood supply at the blood bank at this time. We urge you to make an urgent blood donation at the blood bank at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex, Ezra Long Laboratory from Monday to Friday from 9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. or at the various blood collection sites.

The Ministry notes an increase patient flow in the Accident and Emergency Department at the Hospital during the carnival season and to adequately respond we would need to have a sufficient blood supply available. We appeal to you, to express an act of kindness by donating blood.

BLOOD BANK MOBILE SCHEDULE for the period 9th July, 2024 to 12th July, 2024 from 9:00a.m. to 3:30p.m.

DATE

LOCATION

Tuesday, 9th July, 2024

William Peter Boulevard

Wednesday, 10th July, 2024

Royalton Resort (Cap Estate)

Thursday, 11th July, 2024

First Citizens Investment (John Compton Hwy)

Friday, 12th July, 2024

William Peter Boulevard

For more information, please contact the Blood Bank, at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex, Ezra Long Laboratory at telephone number: 1 (758) 729-9642.

Health Tips during the Carnival Season

The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs provides guidance to the public to reduce the possible negative health implications during and after the carnival season.

During this season there is a tendency for participants to let their guard down on many different levels. It is important that precaution is taken to ensure safety for all at this time.

-       We advise that persons look out for each other during the events especially those during the night. Avoid dark isolated areas when going to and from events. Reduce opportunities for personal injury and violation.

-       Avoid dehydration by reducing exposure time in the direct sunlight, wearing of sunblock and sunscreen and increased water intake - Stay Hydrated! This is important during high level activities. Special consideration must be given to the elderly, young children and those with chronic health conditions who are particularly prone to dehydration.

-       Avoid excessive alcohol intake as this also leads to dehydration, injuries, violence and road fatalities when persons drive under the influence. Timely eating is also advised. There are limited Intensive care beds available at the hospitals and usually during this period we note increase patient flow in the Accident and Emergency Department at the Hospital. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs informs the general public of the low blood supply at the blood bank at this time. We urge you, if possible to make an urgent blood donation at the blood bank or the various collection sites.

-       Sleep deprivation and exhaustion also leads to increased motor vehicle accidents as persons may fall asleep while driving. Ensure you get sufficient rest between events or appoint a designated driver if you feel tired or sleepy.

-       The majority of the planned activities are in open spaces and on evenings, we are in the rainy season and we normally note increases in mosquito indices at this time. The public

is advised to take the necessary precaution and use insect repellants to reduce mosquito bites.

-       Annually we note increases in sexually transmitted infections after the carnival season. We advise against unsafe sexual practices. The Ministry of Health will be donating condoms to carnival bands and planning associations to ensure they are available to revelers. Condoms are available at the Infectious Disease Unit on the first floor of the Sir Stanislaus James Building on the Waterfront to the carnival bands and at the various Wellness Centers free of charge to the public.

The Ministry of Health would like the public to enjoy the carnival season responsibly and keep healthy during and after the season.

For more information, please contact the Bureau of Health Education, at the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs at telephone numbers 468-5349/468-5342.

In the headlines:: In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, the Saint Lucia Red Cross makes an urgent appeal for support for sister islands, and; Saint Lucia's Agriculture Minister Hon. Alfred Prospere, visits farms affected by Hurricane Beryl.

For details on these developments and more, visit: www.govt.lc 

The Saint Lucian delegation comprised of the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar- George and Senior Budget Analyst Ms. Merelicia Collymore who attended the high-level meeting on “International Dialogue on Sustainable Financing for NCDs and Mental Health” from June20-21st, 2024 in Washington DC, USA.

Globally, Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent 74% of all deaths and 82% on a local level in Saint Lucia. Mental Health disorders account for one in six years lived with disability globally and we note these conditions continue to increase locally. Additionally, 1 in 7 children suffer from mental health related disorders globally, with at least 1 in 4 children requiring the assistance of caregivers. It is also indeed a sad reality that globally every 11 minutes someone dies as a result of suicide.

Non-communicable diseases and mental health has been included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development- with the commitment to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one third through the prevention, treatment and the promotion of mental health and well-being by 2030 (SDG

target 3.4.1). Interestingly, only 3 countries are on the path to achieving this milestone.

The effective management of NCDs and Mental Health require additional investments in health. Traditionally although public health is not revenue generating, the cost of the lack of investment into the primary/ preventative health system comes at a major cost to countries. It is paramount that the mindset of health as non-producing be shifted and instead be viewed as an agency that produces healthy individuals who can contribute positively to society. The benefits of health investment include healthy a population, increased productively of the working population and major savings in relation to hospital/secondary care.

Through the implementation of national systemic strategies to prevent, manage NCDs and integrate mental health conditions as the focus of Primary healthcare and Universal Healthcare (UHC), it is imperative that the responses are positioned in the development of financing plans and resource allocation processes.

The objectives of this meeting were to define and start building consensus among a range of stakeholders on actionable strategies and policy recommendations that can enable and enhance the integration of NCDs and mental health responses in national budget systems. This serves to ensure sustainable, adequate, stable and predictable financing to facilitate strategic purchasing and enhance financial protection to allow high quality, equitable NCD and mental health services on island.

Dr. Belmar- George, who participated and presented during the conference was elated for the opportunity for dialogue and discussion between Health and Finance professionals at the international level. It provided an avenue for the Finance agencies to better understand the critical issues on the health agenda and the health agencies to familiarize themselves with the processes required to include important health initiatives into the national budget.

In Saint Lucia like are countries in the region, governments are managing stagnant and declining budgets, with inflation, debt, with an ageing workforce, and working towards the implementation of UHC. It is necessary to allocate sustainable funding towards more cost-effective interventions to ensure that NCDs and mental health conditions are effectively addressed.

In the headlines:: United States Agency.for International Development and government agencies, collaborate on a programme to reintegrate inmates back into the community, and; plans are underway for the 17th annual Saint Lucia Taiwan Partnership Tradeshow.

For details on these developments and more, visit: www.govt.lc