SAINT LUCIA RECEIVES MUCH-NEEDED OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS TO AID THE FIGHT AGAINST THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) recently handed over 30 oxygen concentrators to the Ministry of Health to support its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The oxygen concentrators are expected to improve the quality of care provided to patients requiring oxygen.
Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste expressed gratitude to the Government of Taiwan for the donation and hopes it will assist in the management of critical COVID-19 patients.
“The administering of oxygen is a critical component in the management of hospitalized patients. The Ministry must ensure adequate supply of oxygen to meet the needs of these hospitalized patients. The Ministry of Health recognizes this donation of oxygen concentrators as another in a series of material, financial and technical support that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is providing to Saint Lucia in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Taiwanese Ambassador to Saint Lucia His Excellency Peter Chen says his government remains committed to assisting Saint Lucia in the fight against COVID-19 and hope these oxygen concentrators will save lives.
“This donation is just one showing of the tight bonds binding our countries together. I look forward to working with Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre and his Cabinet to bring about even more fruitful bilateral cooperation. As the Ambassador of Taiwan to Saint Lucia, I am filled with pride to see the good acts forged by our friendship. I hope the machines serve Saint Lucians well as they fully recover.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George says these oxygen concentrators are very essential as they will improve the Ministry of Health’s capacity to deliver oxygen to patients needing respiratory support.
“The sustainable use of oxygen increases greatly during surges of respiratory illness and we reliable a lot on the use of the oxygen tanks within the hospital and the turnover increases vastly as our patient load increases as we have been seeing over the last two weeks at our respiratory hospital. These units allow us supplemental oxygen; they use electricity and they use the oxygen from the air and converts it into oxygen which can the patients can use. So, it is a lot cheaper, it is a lot easier to make available within the patients room or if we have persons who are moderate and also need care for managing at home.”
The Ministry of External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs were also thanked for their efforts in making this donation possible.