SVG at forefront of health care in OECS region – Browne

Although the local health care system often comes under heavy criticism from members of the public, the Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment is reassuring the public that St Vincent and the Grenadines is at the “forefront of health care” within the OECS region.

Last Friday, Minister of Health Luke Browne delivered his address to Parliament during the laying of the 2016 Budget Estimates{{more}} – highlighting several initiatives which have, and have the potential to, put the local health care system in high esteem within the sub-region.

“We are out front in health, and we need to make sure that that fact is underscored every time health comes in for criticism,” Browne asserted.

“Of course, there will be points where criticism is necessary and desirable; that it helps us to lift our game and improve our performance.”

In particular, the Health Minister spoke in glowing terms of the World Pediatric Project (WPP), which involves a team of internationally renowned doctors and specialists visiting SVG throughout the year to administer medical treatment and life-saving surgeries to children – sparing their families the expense of taking them abroad for treatment.

He also said that having been established in 2002, the WPP has donated $50 million worth of medical services to Vincentians.

“Even Barbadian children and children from other parts of the OECS come to St Vincent for medical attention!”

He also noted that it was recently reported that in Barbados, the government has now introduced dietary guidelines for schools – whereas this is something that SVG has already implemented for some time.

Additionally, Browne revealed that following the successful establishment of the ‘smart’ hospital at Georgetown, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has committed to assisting with a similar project in Chateaubelair, and is in discussions on developing others in Union Island and Mayreau.

“Not only were we able to get it done, but we were able to get it done so well that PAHO said ‘look, one smart facility at Georgetown is not enough.’ We want to take care of people on the Leeward side of the island. So, you will see provisions in these estimates for the development,” he explained.

He further added that while the provisions for developing a hospital in Chateaubelair have been included in the 2016 Budget, the same has not been done for one in Union Island and in Mayreau, because those are still under discussion.

Commending PAHO for its contributions to such vital projects, Browne also said: “PAHO itself does not fund these projects, but PAHO, in some exceptional circumstances… is able to identify funds, and bring funds to the surface for particular countries. And that is what they are going to do with these smart hospitals…”

He also said that the medical facility at Georgetown will not only serve those living within the community, but also those living across St Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider region.

“That hospital facility is going to be able to serve people from all over this country, and it is going to be able to help us be at the forefront of health care in the Caribbean region.” (JSV)