Minister Lauds Health Care Initiative

Contact: Julita Peter

Thursday, October 11, 2001 – Minister of Health, Human Services, Family Affairs and Gender Relations, Hon. Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, has lauded the establishment of a new non-governmental organization which will assist needy St. Lucians to meet their medical expenses in cases of serious illness.

Flood-Beaubrun was the guest speaker  on Wednesday at the official launch of the Jeanice Francis Memorial Foundation, named after a 27 year old St Lucian cancer victim who died recently.  She  said the work of the Foundation will complement various initiatives being undertaken by Government to assist with meeting the cost of  medical care for St. Lucians.  She pointed out that over the past four years the Ministry of Health had approved over $4 million for persons requiring overseas medical attention. 

“Today Jeanice Francis has brought us together from all walks of life to reach goals that are spiritually uplifting, that show compassion, that make us a richer society because of the honesty and the integrity of the effort,” the minister said.

She added: “As has happened over the life of St. Lucia as an independent nation, we find ourselves in an unfortunate and uncomfortable position of being unable to provide the kind of direct financial resources  that too many of our citizens now believe that Government has a responsibility to provide for them. If you therefore meet your objective, the government of St. Lucia will also achieve its objectives and the people of St. Lucia will also reach objectives.”

Just  weeks before Jeanice’s death, broadcaster Andre Paul, who is president of the Foundation, was able to mobilize community support in the form of pledges and direct monetary contributions to assist the late cancer patient in acquiring medical attention overseas. The success of this effort led to the establishment of the Foundation.

The Foundation is managed by a 13-member Board of Directors, comprising Andre Paul as president, Kent Desir - Vice President, Vanetta Charlemagne –Secretary, Rada Mottamonad –Public Relations Officer, Llewllyn Gill-Treasurer, Romanus Lansiquot-Advisor,  Attorney At Law Andre Arthur, Medical Practitioner Dr. Peter A. W. St. Rose,  husband of the late Jeanice Francis Samuel Francis , Aurelia Downs, Cornelius Lubin, Egbert Lionel, and Glenda Fostin.

The Foundation is expected to be supported through fund raising ventures including the use of covenants, voluntary contributions, radio pledging and other annual fund raising events.  A public launching is scheduled for Sunday, November 4.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Search for 2001 Press Releases ] [Site Help]

© 2001 Government Information Service. All rights reserved.

Read our privacy guidelines.