CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CBD) has launched a US$5.22 million project to increase the capacity of the public health care system in St.Lucia to respond to current and emergent health security threats.
The initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), was devised to address gaps in the island’s health service capacity, which became apparent as the country tackled the COVID-19 pandemic.
The interventions are focused on improving surveillance, case detection, and monitoring capabilities within the health system, which will reduce the transmission of illnesses. The project will also facilitate the procurement of protective equipment and other health resources for medical personnel, improving health service delivery.
“We look forward to collaborative efforts to ensure that these projects are delivered effectively and efficiently, and we will work with stakeholders to ensure that we are on the same page. In this way, we will achieve development outcomes that will bolster St. Lucia’s resilience,” said
CDB’s Director of Projects, Mrs Therese Turner-Jones.
The project financing was provided under the IDB’s COVID-19 Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) line of credit.
“Congratulations to the government of St. Lucia for embarking on this project. We at the IDB, now more than ever, are pleased to partner with you to finance initiatives that deliver more effective results for the communities that are meant to benefit. This is the essence of our mission to improve lives,” said the IDB’s chief of operations based in Barbados, Jean-Eric Steinhardt.
Health, Wellness & Elderly Affairs Minister Moses Jn. Baptiste said the project activities would contribute to health sector reform in Saint Lucia.
“Health sector reform in St. Lucia will focus on increasing the quality of health care on every level and doing it in a way that benefits those who benefit. We know that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s going to be even more challenging, and whatever we do, we must be ready for the next pandemic,” said Mr Jn. Baptiste.
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