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Contact:
John Emmanuel
Thursday, May 08, 2003 - After thirty-seven (37) years of operation on
the island, a new management structure has been put in place to oversee the
functioning of the Vieux Fort based St. Jude Hospital. The institution was
previously managed by the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother under the purview of
the Roman Catholic Church and later by an extension programme with Mercy
Hospital.
On Wednesday, May 7th, 2003 top health officials met at the institution to
announce the change in its modus operandi that leads to its statutorisation and
to formally introduce the new ten-member board made up of professionals from
varied field of endeavours. The new board is chaired by Acting Principal of the
Laborie Boys Primary School Mr. Ulric Alphonse.
“I cannot think of a Board that is better composed,” said Alphonse. “In my
recent interactions with my colleagues, I have found all of them committed to
the hospital, interested and capable of undertaking this great responsibility.
My initial fears of being unable to foot the bill were totally removed from our
first meeting as I saw persons of diverse backgrounds who displayed the
qualities that are conducive to progress and who possess intolerance to
mediocrity. Thus all of St. Lucia can rest assured that this board will pave the
way and create conditions that will transform St. Jude’s Hospital into a model
health institution that will be the envy of others.”
High on the agenda of the new entity will be the task of ensuring the viability
of the health facility. That comes amidst the background of dwindling financial
resources and increased demands from St. Lucians for better quality health case.
Another immediate task of the Board will be to transform the image of the
Hospital, building public confidence that St. Jude is and remains an institution
that provides high quality, alternative and affordable services.
Health and Human Services Minister Honourable Damian Greaves in introducing
board members spoke of the institution’s critical role in serving residents in
the southern portion of the country. He spoke of the many positive successes
recorded by St. Jude over the years saying that this latest change will bring
increased benefits. However his Ministry will maintain a watchful eye in the
operations of the facility.
“Much is expected of the board,” said Greaves. He went on, “of course we do not
intend to cut the umbilical cord from the Ministry of Health too early as we
realize that there would have to be some interventions by the Ministry of Health
to assist the board in terms of its functioning at the moment. We are also
cognisant of the fact that they will of necessity have to be some level of
training and attachments and we are in the process of looking at a two-day
training package for Board members that will include hospital management, the
financial situation and so on.”
The new management structure signals the end of an old regime and the beginning
of a new era. It also marks the culmination of years of work by the Health
Sector Reform Committee in attempting to decentralize and change the delivery of
health services on the island. The board’s tenure is for two years.
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