To help Saint Lucia enhance its preparedness against the threat of COVID-19, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has made a donation to the Ministry of Health towards the procurement of part of the necessary Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) suits and medical face masks. The donated items will be procured by the Government of Saint Lucia through CARICOM regional vendors.
Mary Isaac, Minister for Health and Wellness, expressed appreciation on behalf of the Government of Saint Lucia. She said that the response to this global pandemic requires collaboration with all agencies and she is grateful for the kind and much needed assistance provided by the Embassy of Taiwan to the people of Saint Lucia.
H. E. Ambassador Douglas C. T. Shen said that the donation is a token of Taiwan’s partnership with Saint Lucia in the fight against the global pandemic. He also indicated that arrangements are being made to build a direct line of communication between Victoria Hospital and Chi Mei Medical Centre, one of Taiwan’s top-notch hospitals, with an aim of sharing best practice and expertise in fighting the new type of coronavirus which originated from Wuhan, China.
Ambassador Shen emphasised that virus’ know no borders and the world should work together to combat the pandemic in a concerted way, leaving no one behind. He also commended Saint Lucia’s continual support for Taiwan’s participation in relevant meetings, workshops and other mechanisms of the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Taiwan can help the world better manage cross-border infections and non-communicable diseases by contributing its experience and expertise in the world health body,” he said.