THE MILLENNIUM HEIGHTS MEDICAL COMPLEX IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION THAT PRIORITIZES GLOBAL HEALTH CARE STANDARDS.

The Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) is taking strategic steps to elevate healthcare safety and quality in Saint Lucia following its active participation in the 7th Global Ministerial Summit on Patient Safety, held at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Manila, Philippines from April 3 to 4, 2025. 

Themed “Weaving Strengths for the Future of Patient Safety throughout the Healthcare Continuum,” the summit brought together ministers of health, senior healthcare professionals, and international experts to discuss best practices and future priorities for the implementation of the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021 - 2030. 

The Saint Lucian delegation included Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, and Acting Director of Clinical Services at MHMC, Dr. Wayne Felicien. 

Dr. Felicien emphasized the immense relevance of the summit’s outcomes to MHMC’s mandate of strengthening clinical governance and cultivating a patient-centered care model. “The government of Saint Lucia was invited to the global ministerial summit on patient safety in Manila, Philippines, which took place over two days April 3rd and 4th. What was highlighted is the global push towards ensuring patient safety. This spans all levels of healthcare primary, tertiary, and governance where safety is not only about infrastructure, but also about ensuring patients are adequately diagnosed, treated, and cared for without harm, mistreatment, or neglect, stated Dr. Felicien. 

He further noted that MHMC, led by the Owen King EU Hospital, is at the forefront of institutional transformation that prioritizes global healthcare standards and continuous patient involvement. “We are committed to moving away from the traditional model where patients were passive recipients of care, toward a model where patients are informed, empowered, and actively involved in their treatment decisions. This patient-centered approach reflects our vision of responsive and quality healthcare,” he added. 

Dr. Felicien also reiterated the importance of minimizing medical errors, noting that every effort is being made to ensure a zero-harm environment in the delivery of health services. 

The summit facilitated high-level dialogue on priority issues such as diagnostic safety, climate-related health challenges, ambulatory care, and the importance of engaging patients in decisions about their care. It also provided space to examine country-level progress and explore practical strategies for reducing harm within health systems. 

Saint Lucia’s health team fully participated in deliberations and endorsed the Mandaluyong Declaration on Patient Safety, which outlines forward-looking recommendations aimed at reducing patient harm and strengthening global health system resilience. These recommendations will be incorporated into MHMC’s policies to further institutionalize a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. 

The Global Ministerial Summit for Patient Safety was initiated by the United Kingdom (2015) and Germany (2018) to promote direct engagement between government leaders and health experts on the issue of patient safety. It continues to demonstrate that despite diverse languages, cultures, and economic systems, nations are united in viewing patient safety as a universal and non-negotiable health priority.