This Health Project is funded by the World Bank and aims to improve the health sector in Saint Lucia.
Project Coordinator of the Health Systems Strengthening Project, Jeanette Jn Louis Hughes, says she is pleased the OECS Regional Health Project can make these medical equipment available which will play a critical role in the strengthening of the health system and delivery of health services to clients.
“Component One is entailed to improve health facilities and lab capacity to specifically improve the lab network and to support investment in the lab infrastructure. It is our expectation that the Soufriere Hospital will maximize the use of these resources in an efficient manner and to better serve the clients of the institution,” Hughes explained. She says the coolers and vehicle for specimen transportation will be used to safely handle specimen transportation to the labs and the chemistry analyzer will allow for testing to be done at the Soufriere hospital.
Principal Nursing Officer for the Soufriere Hospital Alicia Alexander expressed the institution’s gratitude for the supplies and said this will allow for basic lab testing at the Soufriere Hospital.
“Any urgent care unit should be able to attain basic lab values. Patients with gastro, infections, our diabetic (DM) patients, and our hypertensive patients, need basic labs. Also, the availability of a chemistry and hematology machine greatly and significantly strengthens our services,” Alexander said.
Health Minister, Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste expressed his gratitude for the handover of items and said this marks a steady and forward movement towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage.
“It is very important for us to keep focused to ensure that what we are doing will benefit people at the end of the day. It is important for us to focus on people, patients, and not only patients but Saint Lucians who are well and how we keep Saint Lucians and people who access our healthcare services well. The wellness side of it is very important.”
The chemistry analyzer, coolers, and vehicle for specimen transportation were financed through the OECS Regional Health Project to the tune of over EC $277, 000.