| |
Contact:
Julita Peter
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 - The governments of Saint Lucia and China on
Monday September 19th 2005 signed the contract for the construction of the new
mental hospital. Hon. Damian Greaves Minister of Health, Family Affairs and
Gender Relations who witnessed the signing says the EC$27 million facility is
just one component of the ministry’s overall plan to transform the island’s
health system.
“I said and let me reiterate; this physical structure, the new mental health
facility is part of the new thrust in mental health reform in the Ministry of
Health. Coupled with this is the whole strategic plan for the ministry of health
of which mental health is a significant part,” the Health Minister added.
According to the Minister the many employment opportunities for Saint Lucian
nationals has been underscored, and, “this will have a positive multiplier
effect on the local economy.” He added that the excavation works are now in
progress on the Millennium Highway site to facilitate construction scheduled to
commence towards the latter part of November this year.
As far as the construction time table is concerned, the Chinese Ambassador says
it is his government’s intention to hand over the project on schedule. “I
sincerely hope that St. Lucia will finish the ground level work on time, and on
China’s side we will start the hospital project as soon as possible. So let us
work together hand in hand and complete the psychiatric hospital project
completely and beautifully,” he said.
Construction of the mental hospital will be jointly undertaken by St. Lucians
and the Chinese Foreign Economic Construction Group, Anhui, and is earmarked for
completion in the first quarter of 2007.
The contract was signed by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Mr.
Fedalis Williams, on behalf of the government of St. Lucia, and the Chinese
Ambassador His Excellency Gu Haming.
|
