Japan Donates Medical Equipment to SVG

The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment on Friday August 23,2024 received a significant donation of medical equipment from the Government of Japan. These donation, valued at EC$3.2 million, is expected to significantly enhance healthcare services across the country, including the main hospital, polyclinics, and smart hospitals on both the mainland and the Grenadine islands.

The donated equipment includes two mobile x-ray units, supporting computers and software, 18 bedside monitoring units, 10 defibrillator units, 5 electrocardiogram machines, 25 automated external defibrillators, 2 blood gas analyzers, 2 suction units, and 4 autoclave units.

Minister of Health, Wellness, and the Environment, St. Clair Prince, said these essential medical tools will be instrumental in providing timely and effective healthcare to the population, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. He emphasized the timely nature of the donation, as many healthcare facilities, including those on Mayreau, Canouan, and Union Island, were severely damaged by the hurricane. The equipment will play a crucial role in the rehabilitation and strengthening of these vital services.

Ambassador of Japan to St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Yutaka Matsubara, conveyed his sympathies to the people of SVG on the damage done during the passage of Hurricane Beryl and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to assisting the country in mitigating the impacts of climate change. He highlighted the importance of this project, formalized on June 16, 2021, in improving healthcare services and infectious disease control.

The donation was made at a ceremony at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.(API)