THE Government of Saint Lucia has announced plans it says will radically transform certain aspects of education and health in the country.
With regards to education, Governor General Sir Neville Cenac has explained that by way of the Education Quality Improvement Project (EQUIP), government will seek to enhance the teaching/learning environment, as well as quality, relevance and instructional effectiveness.
Resources, he said during presentation of his first Throne Speech on Tuesday, will be directed at continuing professional development, and improvements will be sought in system leadership and operational effectiveness.
“In an effort to deal with the difficult challenge of substance abuse by our young people, a strategy relating to alcohol and drug use will be developed,” he said, adding that attention will be paid to those students with special needs, to facilitate their integration into the education system, and, ultimately, their ability to contribute fully as members of society.
“Provision has also been made within the EQUIP Project, for a climate vulnerability assessment to be undertaken of a select number of school buildings and sites, consistent with my government’s goal to ensure that educational infrastructure can withstand adverse natural events, and with the strategy to build resilience in all our systems and structures ,” Cenac said.
He made mention of the Education Act being reviewed and amended to incorporate system modifications, as well as to facilitate the incorporation of commitments set out in regional and international agreements.
Regulations will also be made to support the primary legislation and to give effect to modern management and leadership practices, address disciplinary offences, and the registration and appraisal of teachers.
With regards to the hospitals and the country’s health care system, Sir Neville said that greater impetus will be given to the commissioning of the new national hospital and the continuation of the transitioning of the Victoria Hospital to the Owen King EU Hospital in a phased manner, a goal government hopes to complete within the coming fiscal year.
“While my government continues to invest heavily in health care, many of our people are suffering poor health because of their inability to pay for essential health services.
“The National Health Insurance Scheme which my government envisions, will assist in establishing a balance between sustainable financing of the health sector and providing our people an avenue for accessing health care services, without having to pay at the point of use,” Cenac said.
He further said that proposed legislation for the Central Regulatory Agency will give power to this Agency to oversee the implementation and regulation of the National Health Insurance and that the National Health Insurance Bill will mandate health insurance coverage for all eligible persons and will set out such matters as eligibility for coverage, levels and payment of contributions, health services covered, and governmental responsibility for specified population groups.
“A proposed Health Records and Reporting Bill will make new provisions to regulate the obtaining, holding, use or disclosure of health-related information of individuals.
“It seeks to simplify reporting and improve access to timely and reliable data that can inform decision- and policy making.
The Bill will ensure the continuity of care across the lifespan and across public and private sector providers, and facilitate coordination between clinical providers, pharmacies and laboratories,” Sir Neville said.
He added that the Public Health Act and Regulations will also be considered for amendment, following broad consultation.
The amendment will address, in particular, new and re-emerging infectious diseases and the need to protect the public from hazardous chemicals and events.
Government, he said, has been working assiduously to prepare Amendments and Regulations related to the Health Practitioners Act, in a manner which reflects continued commitment to upholding best practice standards in medicine, dentistry and other health professions.
These Amendments are expected to be passed in this Parliamentary session.
The Pharmacy Act will be amended to include the registration of pharmacy technicians, wholesale distributors and importers of drugs. Amendments will also govern the importation of drugs for personal use and donation and classification of controlled substances.
“My Government will take measures to strengthen primary health care services, as a strategy to reduce the burden on Victoria Hospital, as well as on the new hospital, when commissioned.
“My Government will also enhance the provision of critical dialysis service in the south of Saint Lucia, by ensuring the provision of additional dialysis machines to augment and replace the existing ones, which have run beyond their useful lives,” Cenac said.
