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Contact:
Julita Peter
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - The construction of the new psychiatric hospital
along the Millennium Highway has gotten one step closer to reality. A Chinese
technical team has rounded up a three-week visit here assisting in the
preliminary designs of the project. On Tuesday May 18th 2004, the Government of
St. Lucia and the Chinese technical team affixed their signatures to a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signalling the commencement of the actual
designs of the facility. During their stay here, the Chinese technical team
partnered with technocrats from the Ministries of Health, Physical Development
and External Affairs.
Health Minister, Honourable Damien Greaves says his ministry is very elated by
the progress that has been made thus far. “What has happened over the past few
days has been so instructive, because it really shows how partnerships can
create miracles. I held a meeting with the teams and was full of conviction when
I left, that the design of the new mental health facility would have been done
in record time,” he added.
According to the Health Minister, “The People’s Republic of China will be
leaving an indelible mark and impression on the St. Lucian Landscape.”
Chinese Ambassador to St. Lucia, His Excellency Gu Hamming has described the
upcoming project as further bolstering the relationship shared by the two
countries since setting up diplomatic relations in 1997. The psychiatric
hospital will add to other projects financed and constructed by the Government
of the People’s Republic of China, amongst them the Free Trade Zone warehouse
and National Stadium in Vieux-Fort.
The preliminary design for the new psychiatric hospital is expected to be
submitted by September of this year, with construction earmarked for 2005.The
construction of the new Psychiatric Hospital is in keeping with the government’s
new thrust towards mental health reform, and will be financed by the Government
of the People’s Republic of China to the tune of some 6.5 million EC dollars.
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