ROC keeps promise to complete new psychiatric hospital
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Thursday, 30 October 2008 – The Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan sealed a commitment to Saint Lucia Wednesday for the completion of the new psychiatric hospital on the Millennium Highway.
Work on the facility, initially started by the People’s Republic of China (PROC) came to a halt after it broke relations with Saint Lucia, over Saint Lucia’s decision to re-established diplomatic ties with the Republic of China on Taiwan (ROC).
Addressing a ceremony to mark the recommencement of work Wednesday, Prime Minister the Honourable Stephenson king said a new concept that blends with the country’s recently implemented mental health programme, was developed by the Taiwanese.
“A brand new concept was born in putting in place not just a psychiatric hospital but a neurological facility that will deal with neurological, psychiatric and geriatric patients, providing a comprehensive and versatile range of services to the people of St. Lucia,” said the Saint Lucian leader.
Taiwan's Ambassador to Saint Lucia His Excellency Tom Chou criticised the previous design as being less capable of overall care for mental patients. The Ambassador joined Prime Minister Stephenson King in turning the sod, marking the official commencement of work on the facility.
“The new design will correct existing defects and offer easy supervision of patients and a safer and friendlier environment for the patients to be treated as patients—like family—not prisoners,” said Ambassador Chou.
Expected to be completed within one year, the facility and other ground works will cost some US 6 million dollars. 150 Saint Lucians are expected to be employed for the duration of the works. |
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