The Government of the French Republic is pleased to announce the arrival of another consignment of medical equipment to assist with Saint Lucia’s government efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and its severe impacts on the public health system. The donation was handed over to the Minister of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs on Friday 10th September 2021 by the Ambassador of France, His Excellency Jacques-Henry HEULS.
The donation was facilitated through the Embassy of France in Saint Lucia on behalf of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The item donated is a Digital X-Ray machine and all relevant accessories, with a value of 50 000 euros (approx. EC$160 000.00). This shipment is one of several consignments, donated by the Government and people of the French Republic, with special mention of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Fort de France, known by all in Saint Lucia as La Meynard Hospital.
The Saint Lucia – France bilateral development cooperation in jointly agreed priority areas has existed for decades. In addition to the development cooperation framework, France has always been willing to assist on request of the Government of Saint Lucia to meet development needs and assist in times of crisis. The fight against the current global COVID-19 pandemic is no exception.
Pr Dabor RESIERE, Doctor and Professor in Anaesthesia/Reanimation and Toxicology at the Intensive Care Unit of La Meynard Hospital will faciltate a short training to the relevant medical personnel at the Victoria Hospital where this machine will be located, on the usage of the equipment, and will ensure that it is put to good use as soon as possible.