ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Grenada is one of three countries in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) that will be receiving millions in funding through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) from the European Investment Bank to strengthen health systems to withstand future health crises in the event better there is a severe economic and social dislocation as occurred during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a recent meeting, the Bank’s board of directors approved three loans of US$9.97 million, US$9.86 million, and US$10 million to the Governments of Grenada, St Lucia, St Vincent, and the Grenadines, respectively.
The funding was allocated from the European Investment Bank (EIB) resources to CDB under the EIB Climate Action Line of Credit II – COVID-19 Component.
According to the CDB’s Vice-President of Operations, Isaac Solomon, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed cracks in the healthcare systems, making the investment timely.
“The unrelenting demands of the pandemic unearthed and made more prominent and urgent, critical frailties in our health sector around the limited human, infrastructure, and institutional capacity,” said Mr. Solomon.
In a news release, the CDB said the funding for Grenada would assist with infrastructural works and updates at various medical facilities, including the St Georges General Hospital, the Westerhall Medical Station, the St Georges Medical Station, the Grand Bras Health Facility, the New Hampshire Health Facility, the River Sallee Medical Station, the Hillsborough Health Centre, and the Mt. Gay Psychiatric Hospital.
“It will also fund capacity building and training for health care workers in critical areas, including the Biomedical Equipment Technician Certification, rehabilitation and counseling, and risk communication.
The funds will also support increased training for nurses in various specialties, including intensive care, nephrology, neonatology, emergency care, senior care, oncology, and nursing administration,” the release said.
The loan will also cover support for purchasing goods and equipment throughout the health sector and institutional strengthening initiatives such as a planned digitalization of the health sector.
In St. Lucia, nearly US$2 million of the funding will be utilized for purchasing critical medical equipment such as ventilators, x-ray machines, ultrasound machines, and dental, neonatal, and eye care equipment.
The equipment will go to health facilities across the island, including the La Ressource Wellness Centre, Castries Urban Centre, Dennery Hospital, Soufriere Hospital, Comfort Bay Home for Older Persons, St. Jude Hospital, and two respiratory clinics – Vieux-Fort Wellness Centre and Gros Islet Polyclinic.
In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the medical supply chain will be strengthened with US$3.3 million of funding to support works to establish a Central Medical Warehouse.
Nearly US$2.3 million will be put towards medical and other equipment at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, such as a new distillery system for the pharmacy, equipment for the operating theatre, maternity ward, and NICU for the communities and other departments, and a CT Scanner, X-ray Machine, and Hyperbaric chamber.
Building up the skills of healthcare workers is also a priority, with a specific focus on filling skills gaps.
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