UWP gov waived $12 Million hospital bills, upgraded medical structure: Allen Chastanet

Castries, St Lucia: After the COVID-19 pandemic entered the Caribbean, St Lucia was among the island nations that were hard hit with cases of community spread emerging daily. Prime Minister of St Lucia Allen Chastanet maintained that his administration improved the structure of the health sector in the last five years.

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet stated on Monday that his government made healthcare accessible and affordable for all. He said over 17 Health centres have been upgraded into smart facilities, including Monchy, La Fargue, Delcer, Vieux Fort, Desruisseaux, Mon Repos, Belle Vue and Bexon.

He noted that to strengthen the healthcare structure, the government also opened the new Owen King EU Hospital and transitioned Victoria Hospital into a dedicated Respiratory Hospital. He said the previous Governments had planned to close down VH upon the opening of OKEU.

Chastanet stated the under his administration, operating hours at the Gros Islet Polyclinic had been increased by eight additional hours. He said that new Wellness Centres in Micoud and Anse la Raye have been established to improve the medical facility in the areas.

As the general elections are approaching, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet is making sure that all accomplishments of his government are shared with the public. He said that his government also resumed construction on the new Dennery Polyclinic, employed more doctors and nurses, commenced the process of introducing National Health Insurance which will ensure that all Saint Lucians can access healthcare and medicine.

"We partnered with the Starkey Hearing Foundation to provide over 1000 Saint Lucians with FREE hearing aids; we have worked with Sir Arthur Lewis Community College to introduce a Bachelors in Nursing Programme to create more avenues for citizens to become nurses, We continue to provide FREE COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccinations to all citizens," stated Prime Minister Allen Chastanet.

Furthermore, he stated that United Workers Party (UWP) government also implemented a National Health Management System and worked with the US Government to provide just over 4,800 Saint Lucians with free healthcare. Besides this, he noted that the budget was also increased for Public Assistance from $800,000 to $4 Million, especially for persons who needed medical assistance. "We waived outstanding hospital bills to the tune of $12 Million EC; We are implementing the Health System Strengthening Project which is being funded by the World Bank, We are building a State of the Art St Jude Hospital for the people of the south. Work is in the final stage," stated Allen Chastanet in a long Facebook post on Monday.