SVG receives valuable CTG machine from the government of Chile

Patricio Pradel, Chilean Ambassador to St Vincent and the Grenadines, handed over a Cardiotography (CTG) machine to Minister of Health Wellness and the Environment Clayton Burgin on April 5.{{more}}

The CTG machine, which is more commonly known as an electronic fetal monitor, is a means of recording the fetal heartbeat and the uterine contractions during pregnancy.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Minister of Health Dr Douglas Slater commenced negotiations with the Chilean Officials for the machine over a year ago. Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Slater said the occasion is a demonstration of how the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines is making its foreign policy work in its favour.

Although Chile and SVG established formal diplomatic relations since 1990, Slater pointed out that the relationship lacked activity until after 2001 when the ULP administration decided to pursue a fairly assertive and aggressive foreign policy. The former health minister added that the CTG machine is more valuable than its cost and will aid this county in the development of its human resource.

Meanwhile new Minister of Health Clayton Burgin proudly accepted the machine on behalf of the government of SVG. Minister Burgin said that the machine is a welcome addition to the Maternity Ward of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, especially at a time when the government has taken steps towards the modernization of the local health sector.

Burgin pointed out that officials in the Health Sector have started to lay the ground works as it relates to this modernization process, with the major focus being on such areas as “chronic non-communicable diseases management, new infrastructure and critically needed repairs to health facilities, procurement of equipment and supplies and human resource development.”

Meanwhile, Dr Sherian Slater, head of the Obstetric and Gynecology Division of the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, thanked the Chilean Ambassador for the donation of the CTG machine. Dr Slater said the machine is very important in the delivery of care to women. “Every woman who enters the maternity ward would want to know that she is going to have a healthy baby. This machine is very essential in this regard” Dr Slater stressed.

Ambassador Pradel in responding to the outpouring of gratitude said that his government and people of Chile are pleased to make the contribution which will help significantly in the modernization of SVG’s health sector.