Taiwanese officials hand over world class mental health facility

Wednesday, November 11, 2009 – Saint Lucia can now boast of having a state-of-the art National Mental Wellness Centre, compliments the Taiwanese government.

The world class facility along the Millennium Highway was officially handed over to the government and people of Saint Lucia Wednesday morning.

The new mental health facility, which ranks as a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital and among the most modern in the Caribbean, was completed by the Taiwanese Government at a cost of $EC13 Million.

Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King says the new facility is an important component in the vision of the government of Saint Lucia for the health sector. “Today we are breaking new ground, with our decentralized approach to mental health care. This new direction is based on a proactive standard that includes reducing the dependence on institutionalized or custodial care, and replacing it with rehabilitative and residential facilities. This impressive new National Mental Wellness Centre, will provide truly integrated modern mental health care including aged care, acute hospital care, and community care.

The completion of the National Mental and Wellness Centre is the flagship project of the Taiwanese Government since they re-established diplomatic relations with Saint Lucia in 2007.

Taiwanese Ambassador His Excellency Tom Chou says the completion of the project which was initially started by the Chinese, is in keeping with his government's commitment to Saint Lucia.

This is a historical moment for health development in Saint Lucia. After a lengthy discussion between our two governments, my government took over the abandoned hospital property in October last year, because the surrounding of the abandoned hospital was in a deplorable condition; so my government decided to provide additional assistance to consolidate the infrastructure and to beautify the environment.

In addition to completing construction of the facility, the Taiwanese government will also meet the cost for all the equipment which was not accounted for under the initial agreement.

Health Minister Honourable Dr. Keith Mondesir was on hand at the opening and thanked the Taiwanese for delivering to Saint Lucia a world class facility.

Dr. Mondesir says the new National Mental and Wellness Centre will begin operations in January next year.

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