Government of Saint Lucia

“World Patient Safety Day” will be observed on 17 September 2023, under the theme, “Engaging Patients for Patient Safety”. The theme emphasizes the importance of patient involvement in healthcare decisions and processes, as patients, families, and caregivers play a critical role in the safety of healthcare.

Patient Safety Day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to create a culture of safety within the healthcare system. On this occasion, the Ministry of Health , Wellness and Elderly Affairs underscores the critical work of its Quality Assurance Unit which plays a vital role in monitoring, evaluating, and improving the quality of health care delivery.

The Quality Assurance Unit of the Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to emphasize its commitment to providing the highest standards of care, and this will be achieved through patient engagement, which is central to achieving safer healthcare outcomes. By involving patients in decisions about their health and treatment, we foster an environment of transparency, trust, and collaboration.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the slogan “Elevate the voice of patients!”, is a call to all stakeholders to take action to ensure that patients are involved in policy formulation, are represented in governance structures, are engaged in co-designing safety strategies, and are active partners in their own care. Therefore, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs is committed to providing platforms and opportunities for patients, families, and communities to raise their voices, concerns, expectations, and preferences to advance safety, patient-centeredness, trustworthiness, and equity.

The Ministry of Health envisions a healthcare system where patients are informed partners in their care journey. Connecting with the clients whom we serve and empowering them to voice their concerns and preferences, not only enhances the overall patient experience but also plays a pivotal role in improving health services and service delivery.

As St. Lucia joins the global healthcare community in commemorating Patient Safety Day, the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs encourages everyone to play an active role in ensuring patient safety. By working together, we can ensure that healthcare in St. Lucia maintains the highest standards, providing safe, effective, and compassionate care to all.

A grande event at Constitution Park initiated Caribbean Wellness Day Celebrations for St. Lucia. Caribbean Wellness Day is observed annually around the region on September 9 th .This year’s inaugural activity was hosted through a collaborative effort, which ended with a famers market.

In today's headlines: The Government of Saint Lucia is considering broadening its list of priced-control goods to include sanity towels, napkins and related products and; The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly affairs observe World Suicide Prevention Day 2023. 

For more government developments, visit: www.govt.lc

In today’s headlines: The Ministry of Health gears up for Family Fun Day, and the SSDF partners with EQuIP to provide support for students.

For more government developments, visit: www.govt.lc

On September 10th, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, joined with the World Health Organization (WHO) in recognizing and supporting World Suicide Prevention Day, under the theme “Creating Hope Through Action”. This theme has been in use from 2021-2023, as a call for action for stronger decision making practices and an understanding that our actions can inspire hope, and increase measures that prevent suicide.

We at the Ministry of Health believe that education plays a big part in promoting suicide prevention. Having adequate knowledge can assist with debunking the myths of suicide, promoting help seeking behaviours and can increase resilience among our people.

Suicide is preventable and no one should have to go through life’s struggles alone. Throughout the month of September, our programmes and activities will place heavy focus on suicide survivors, prevention and awareness. Suicide continues to be a serious Public Health concern in St. Lucia impacting men in particular. In 2022, 8 men died by suicide and 4 men to date in 2023. That is far too many. Suicide is preventable and the devastating effects involves not only the immediate family but the community and island by extension.

In an attempt to address this Public Health and societal concern, the following strategies are being implemented.

• Creating protective environments

• Improving access to suicide care

• Promoting healthy connections

• Teaching coping and problem-solving skills

• Identifying and supporting people at risk

• Lessening harms and preventing future risk.

Access to mental health care has been improved with the integration of mental health services into the primary health care services. In 2019, 28 primary health care personnel were trained in the Mental Health Gap Action Program commonly called the mhGAP. This program is specially designed to build capacity to bridge the gap in mental health services by training health care providers and other community members, to deliver psychosocial services relating to prevention, early detection and treatment to individuals needing such care.

Access to mental health care has been improved with the integration of mental health services into the primary health care services. In 2019, 28 primary health care personnel were trained in the Mental Health Gap Action Program commonly called the mhGAP. This program is specially designed to build capacity to bridge the gap in mental health services by training health care providers and other community members, to deliver psychosocial services relating to prevention, early detection and treatment to individuals needing such care.

We must promote dialogue surrounding mental health, suicide and suicide ideation. We encourage the various organizations to help highlight the problem of suicide and advocate its prevention. A call goes out to the general public to be educated about suicide prevention, to know the signs and symptoms and the ways we can offer help to others. We implore the media to play their part in the education on suicide prevention and to be more responsible in their reporting of suicides. If we learn about suicide and the signs to look for, we can help save lives and prevent its occurrence.

Through our actions we can create hope.

Putting health and wellness at the forefront, the Ministry of Agriculture partners with the Ministry of Health and the Taiwan Technical Mission to host a Farmers Market with a dedicated focus on well-being.

The Substance Abuse Advisory Council Secretariat is this week hosting a seminar on the “Early Warning System in Response to Opioids and New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) in Latin America and the Caribbean”. The seminar is being facilitated through the bilateral support of OAS/CICAD and is taking place from September 12 to September 14, 2023 at the Cocoa Palm Hotel.

In today's headlines: The Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, receives a first hand progress report on the ongoing Saint Jude Hospital reconstruction project and; The Ministry of Agriculture reaffirms its commitment to the agro-processing industry.

For more government developments, visit: www.govt.lc

In today's headlines: Participants of the The Taiwan Youth Ambassador Exchange Programme pay courtesy calls on Government House and Parliament and; The Saint Lucia Fire Service (slfs) reaffirms its commitment to safe service

For more government developments, visit: www.govt.lc

The Ministry of Health will engage residents in the south on Saturday 16th, through their first ever family fun day activity. The activity forms part of Caribbean Wellness Day observances for 2023 under the theme, “Power through collective action”.