Invest Saint Lucia (ISL) is currently undertaking a full retrofit of one of its properties at the Vieux Fort Industrial Estate for the purpose of the installation of an Oxygen Generating Plant.
St. Jude Hospital in Vieux Fort recently implemented the installation of this Oxygen Generating Plant, to cover the demand previously being supplied by import. The management of St. Jude Hospital approached Invest Saint Lucia for space and the agency agreed. The process includes complete renovations and ISL has installed infrastructure for auxiliary water, office space, bathrooms, windows, and other necessary installations for the plant. The cost to retrofit the space including electrical infrastructure and general works will be approximately XCD $245,000. Invest Saint Lucia will also provide the building rent-free to St. Jude Hospital for a period once works are completed at the end of November.
The new generating plant will help with issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which causes severely ill patients to need oxygen. The plant is expected to cut waiting time for imports and eliminate supply shortages. When the plant is fully functioning, St. Jude Hospital will no longer need to import oxygen to meet its demand.
Speaking about Invest Saint Lucia’s contribution to the St. Jude Hospital, the CEO Diana Henry-Ernest said, “St. Jude’s relationship with Invest Saint Lucia extends over 10 years so this is not just the beginning but a continuation. We are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and are proud to say that St. Jude is pioneering this initiative. One that will provide a reliable supply of oxygen not just for COVID-19 patients but with other illness that require oxygen.”
CEO of Invest Saint Lucia, Roderick Cherry, added, “Invest Saint Lucia has always supported the St. Jude Hospital since the tragic fire by offering space rent-free. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to see the importance of having fully functional healthcare facilities and the need for us to assist wherever we can. Oxygen is an essential commodity, and with the new generating plant, supply shortages will be alleviated, allowing patients to get the respiratory support they need when it is needed.”
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Invest Saint Lucia has pledged to strengthen support for the health and education sectors, both of which are key to the country’s economic development.