A FIELD HOSPITAL AND VEHICLES WILL ASSIST THE NATION IN TIMES OF NATURAL DISASTERS.
The Government of Saint Lucia recently accepted receipt of a 40-bed field hospital and vehicles from the Government of the United States of America, following a handover ceremony at the Saint Lucia Fire Service Training School.
Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste expressed gratitude for the donation of the field hospital which will strengthen the Ministry’s ability to respond to the challenges associated with a pandemic and natural disasters.
“This donation to Saint Lucia is timely, not only because of the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on local hospital resources but as a practical response to increasing climate change related threats. This gift, the field hospital will be critical in the face of disasters and other national health related challenges.”
Ambassador of the United States of America to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the OECS Her Excellency Linda Taglialatela expressed the commitment of her government to assisting the people of Saint Lucia and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This field hospital is yet another demonstration of our commitment to the health and well-being of our partners in the hemisphere. Our donation of this critically needed health infrastructure will increase the ability of Saint Lucia to address the ongoing pandemic and future challenges from natural disasters. The past two years has been challenging for the entire world and no one has been spare from the impact of this global pandemic.”
Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy Hon. Philip J. Pierre welcomed the kind gesture of the Government of the United States of America to improve the health infrastructure of the country in the time of a pandemic or disaster.
“The field hospital will significantly augment Saint Lucia’s physical health infrastructure, enhance our disaster response readiness and enable the provision of medical assistance in remote areas if necessary. But more importantly, at this critical time it will equip the country with a standby capacity to manage any severe virus spike or other emergency.”
The 40-bed field hospital with a capacity to manage 8 patients in ICU is valued at US $600,000.
The three vehicles donated for use by the Saint Lucia Fire Service has a value of US$44, 519.52.
