Health workers participate in a capacity building workshop

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St Lucia – Healthcare workers in Saint Lucia participated in a two-day workshop at the Bel Jou Hotel from May 8 to 9, 2024, as Saint Lucia continues to receive much-needed healthcare assistance and expertise from the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The workshop was part of the “Capacity Building Project for the Prevention and Control of Metabolic Chronic Diseases”, for which a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Taiwan and Saint Lucia in March 2023. The project aims to be one of the catalysts to improve the screening, prevention and treatment of diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease in Saint Lucia.

During the workshop, five seed trainers, who received six weeks of training in Taiwan last year, shared their knowledge with their colleagues, enhancing the ministry’s capacity to effectively carry out its mandate to serve citizens effectively.

HE Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Taiwan Ambassador to Saint Lucia, congratulated the six seed instructors who traveled to Taiwan this week to attend six weeks of intensive training. He also expressed his appreciation to the five seed instructors trained last year and also thanked Hon. Minister Mozes Joh. Baptiste and his team, and Dr. Su and the three specialists from Cathay General Hospital.

“Your dedication is not only the driving force behind our public health project, but also the guarantee of the success of Taiwan-Saint Lucia cooperation in health and medical sectors,” Ambassador Chen said during the closing ceremony on Thursday, May 9, 2024. .

Ambassador Chen added: “As an exemplary model of Taiwan-Saint Lucia partnership, the Capacity Building Project has completed the training of policy makers and five seed instructors over the past year. This project also organized six health education events and eighteen screening activities in communities involving more than a thousand people. Today’s transfer of primary care equipment is another milestone, and the tablets, height scales and test kits will enable frontline staff to practice evidence-based practice.”

Hon. Moses John Baptiste, Minister of Health, Welfare and Elderly Affairs, thanked the Taiwan government for its continued support, adding that the project has achieved a number of tangible results over the past year, strengthening the ministry’s capacity and educating the population.

“The project takes a whole-of-society approach, by creating a health-promoting environment, and aims to provide opportunities for the involvement of health educators, nurses, doctors, hospital staff, NGOs, policy makers and community members,” said Hon . . Johannes Baptiste. “Over the past year of project implementation, the project’s presence has been palpable. Very early in the project implementation, there were visible displays of health education at various health fairs and wellness centers. Health messages on billboards on our highways could also not be missed, and the involvement of the project team in the rollout of the ‘St. The initiative of Lucia Moves is commendable.”

Mr. John Lin, Project Manager of the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) in Saint Lucia, gave a progress report on the project, noting that the four-year project is now entering its second year. He added that many people in the community remain undiagnosed.

“We emphasize strengthening the ability to prevent and control metabolic chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension,” Lin said. “Our project covers Regions 5, 6, 7, 8A and 8B, but we encourage other Ministry of Health staff to work with us wherever you are.”

Cathay General Hospital has been providing Taiwan with quality healthcare for more than 30 years. Dr. Che-Yi Su, one of the four representatives of Cathay General Hospital at the closing ceremony, said the cooperation between Taiwan and Saint Lucia augurs well for the well-being of citizens.

“Undoubtedly, non-communicable chronic diseases have emerged as a global health crisis, affecting the well-being and quality of life of individuals in both Taiwan and Saint Lucia,” he said. “However, Taiwan’s healthcare system stands out for its efficiency, innovation and accessibility.”

Dr. Su added: “With a robust infrastructure and a focus on preventive care, Taiwan has been able to effectively manage chronic diseases and provide quality healthcare services to its citizens. It brings us great joy at Cathay General Hospital to share our strategies, especially in the care of metabolic chronic diseases, with our friends. The cooperation between Taiwan and Saint Lucia is a compelling example in this area: it goes beyond just supplying equipment and involves sharing knowledge and expertise.”

According to Dr Shana Cyr-Philbert, senior medical officer for non-communicable diseases at the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Elderly Affairs, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory diseases have contributed significantly to death in the Netherlands . Saint Lucia for decades. She said non-communicable diseases contributed to 82% of the island’s total deaths in 2019.

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