St Lucia Eyes Health Alliance With University of the West Indies

Above: the new National Health Complex in St Lucia (Photo: Ayman Khalil)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

St Lucia’s government is considering an alliance with the University of the West Indies that would link the country’s hospitals with the regional institution’s medical science faculties.

The partnership would turn St Lucia’s New National Hospital Complex into a teaching and training facility, according to the government.

Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies Hilary Beckles led a delegation to St Lucia late last week to continue talks on the proposal.

“The University of the West Indies has always seen itself as a lifelong friend and strategic ally of the Government and People of Saint Lucia,” Beckles said. “We take great pride in the fact that our first indigenous Vice Chancellor was a Saint Lucian, Sir Arthur Lewis.”

The Pro-Vice Chancellor said St Lucia had requested to participate as a “regional university in the development of the health sector and hospital facilities for teaching and training of young doctors and other medical experts.”

St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony said he was “exceedingly happy” about the proposal.

“I am elated that the University responded to our invitation to be here, as there are great opportunities to explore. As I have hinted before, Saint Lucia is very fortunate that we will have very modern health infrastructure,” Anthony said. “We have a new National Wellness Centre and then of course we will have a new National Hospital and a new St Jude Hospital. This presents an opportunity to attract a partnership that will transform our health sector and provide new prospects.”