Government of Saint Lucia

During the festive season, people usually purchase and consume more foods than usual. The best way to ensure that food is safe for consumption is by handling, preparing and storing in a way that will prevent food borne illness. Consequently, The Ministry of Health Wellness and Elderly Affairs would like to take the opportunity to remind the public of the following food safety tips:  Examine all foods carefully prior to purchase, check for damages and expiration dates.  Do not purchase canned foods that are unlabeled, dented, leaking, bulging, or rusted.  Keep food out of the “danger zone.” Germs can grow rapidly in the danger zone between 40°F (4oC) and 140°F (60oC). After food is prepared, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. These foods must not be stored at atmospheric temperature.  When reheating food ensure that it is steaming hot all the way through, at least 165oF or 75oC, or bring to a rolling boil.  When large portions of foods are cooked in advance, divide into smaller portions or in shallow containers, then cover and place in the fridge or freezer. Make sure there is good air circulation around the containers.  When handling foods such as raw meat, chicken, other poultry products, and seafood, ensure that it is separated from cooked or ready to eat foods such as bread, fruits and vegetables.  Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meats and ready to eat foods.  Use separate utensils for serving different dishes especially when serving foods with a potential to cause allergic reactions. Sir Stanislaus James Building Waterfront, Castries Saint Lucia, West Indies Communications on this subject should be addressed to: Permanent Secretary  Before preparing foods and between handling raw meat or raw chicken, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry thoroughly.  When purchasing local meat products from butchers look for the INSPECTED & PASSED stamp which indicates that the meat has been inspected for wholesomeness by officers of the Environmental Health Division. The Department of Environmental Health would like to encourage persons to follow these food safety measures as you look forward to having an enjoyable season.

The Government of Saint Lucia has partnered with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to strengthen its social protection systems to better respond to the challenges posed by

climate change and natural hazards. The Government and WFP recently signed an agreement to improve institutional capacity to deliver assistance to the most vulnerable people by linking social protection systems to pay-outs made by the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF SPC). 

In the headlines: Cabinet approves a package of benefits from diverse sectors, and the Security Interests in Moveable Properties (Collateral) Registry by the OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project is launched.

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

In the headlines: Government plans to address noise concerns in the north of the island; and Saint Lucia recognizes World AIDS Day.

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

In the headlines: Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre, attends COP28 in Dubai, and the Customs and Excise department eases festive season burdens for citizens.

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

In the headlines: Oceania Vista’s arrival to Saint Lucia earlier this week marked the 6th inaugural cruise ship call to the island; and a resolution paving the way for the renovation of schools damaged by Tropical Storm Bret, has been passed.

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

This year, 2023, marks the 35th commemoration of “World AIDS Day” with the chosen theme “Let Communities Lead”. Saint Lucia documented its first known case of HIV in 1985. Back then HIV/AIDS were highly stigmatized and many persons living with HIV and their families’ experienced discrimination. Unfortunately, today, stigma and discrimination both still affect persons living with HIV and the communities who have a higher risk of acquiring HIV. HIV has no face, race, color or sex. That person with HIV could be your mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, son, friend, spouse or partner.

As a nation, we have transitioned from not having any medication to managing HIV, to anti-retroviral therapy, that is, HIV treatment; available and free of cost to the patient.

A screening test, 15 minutes, can help you understand whether you may have HIV, and that test can be confirmed.

If you have multiple sexual partners and are engaging in unprotected sex or have an HIV positive sexual partner, you can protect yourself and reduce your risk of getting HIV by taking 1 pill a day called PrEP – pre-exposure prophylaxis.

The amount of virus in your body can be measured with a single lab test, a viral load, performed at our own Ezra Long Laboratory.

In 2023, the early 21st century, no one should be dying as a result of AIDS in Saint Lucia. In 2022, globally, 630,000 persons died from AIDS related illnesses. From January 2023 until the end of September, 15 persons have died as a result of AIDS related illnesses in-country. HIV is a chronic disease and it requires anti-retroviral therapy treatment for effective management.

Of the 294 persons actively collecting HIV medication, 46% are virally suppressed. We can do better. Persons have been dying from AIDS related illnesses because they have been diagnosed at a late stage in the disease or they have not accepted that they have the HIV infection.

The blunt facts about HIV are as follows:

·       HIV is not a myth; it still exists;

·       There is no cure for HIV (yet);

·       If you are sexually active, you are at risk for getting HIV;

·       With consistent, daily medication you can live well and live a long life with HIV;

·       To get diagnosed early, you need to take the test;

Let this day, December 1st, 2023 put HIV first and foremost in your mind.

Have a frank conversation with your healthcare provider. Find out what are your options?

·       Where to get screened for HIV

·       How to prevent getting the HIV infection

·       And, if you have HIV, how you can live a long, healthy life

No one should be dying from AIDS. Do not let yourself become another AIDS statistic in Saint Lucia.

For more information, please contact the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic at the Castries Wellness Center: 468-8886 or 8887 and at the Vieux Fort Wellness Center: 468-7985 or 7986.

In the headlines: The Immigration Department has relocated to a new office and the Minister of Equity commissions an interactive two-day media training exercise.

For details on these and other government developments, visit www.govt.lc.

In the headlines: The Ministry of Equity and Partners hosts a "Parent Enrichment" programme and; The Caribbean Development Bank gets set to lobby for climate financing at COP28.

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

In the headlines: Parliament approves funding for the Patience Community Water Supply Project, and Saint Lucia commemorates International Children’s Day.

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