Overseas Institutions to Assist in Major Local Health Initiatives
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Contact: Julita Peter
Wednesday, January 9, 2008 – A new initiative by St. Lucia's Ministry of Health is expected to reduce considerably the cost of health care on the island. This involves the setting up of what Health Minister Dr. Keith Mondesir describes as “Centres of Excellence” designed to provide surgical procedures as well as post operative care for patients with major health problems, such as cancer and kidney failure.
According to Dr. Mondesir, the services will be performed by a medical team, that will be visiting at various times based on the needs of the country. Dr. Mondesir says the Government of St. Lucia is also seeking the assistance of international allies, with regard to specialized training for St. Lucian doctors. The training, he says, is expected to take place in time for the completion of the new general hospital.
“Help is also being sought for our Accident and Emergency Department, Operating Theatres, Laboratories and Intensive Care Units. We are also embarking on finding countries, which will provide us with good prices on medication. We are addressing the completion of our health information technology program, which will link all our health institutions,” an excited Dr. Mondesir explained. “This will enable easy access to updated information and give us the means whereby we will locate various illnesses where they are most prevalent, to ensure that the medication reach individuals in these areas.”
The Ministry of Health is currently in dialogue with an international company, as it seeks to upgrade the island's lone polyclinic to a 24-hour facility. Meantime, personnel from the Dalhousie University in NOVA Scotia are expected to assist with the training of mental health practitioners. Additionally, the government will be tapping into the expertise of Dalhousie, in outlining the internal structure of the new mental hospital. |
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