Medical schools in the region are hoping to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to make use of the country’s newer health facilities.

A delegation from St. Georges University recently met with Hon. Alvina Reynolds, Minister for Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations, to discuss the possibility of training physicians at the island’s health facilities.

The delegation, which included Dr. Denis Paul, Vice Provost for Institutional Advancement, and Dr. Donald Jungkind, Chairman of the Department of Microbiology, both from St. Georges, met with the minister and department heads from various health institutions on island.

“We're generally very, very, much impressed by the health system, the facilities, and the investment that the government has made in improving the health system in St. Lucia,” Dr. Paul said.

“We are looking at the possibility of setting up programs in which we might collaborate in the training of physicians for the region, and for some of our students who come from all over the world,” he explained.

“We're also looking at the National Forensic Lab as a place where we might collaborate regionally in medical or legal investigations, training, as well as procedures on samples of interest. So we are looking forward to working with the government.”

Minister Reynolds said it is government’s intention to establish the new National Hospital and as a teaching hospital that would serve both local and regional institutions.

“We have many institutions here in St. Lucia who have indicated interest; we have been in discussions with UWI; and St. Georges is also interested in whether collaboration is possible,” she said, adding that the team had its curiosity piqued by developments within the health sector which include the construction of a New National Hospital, the new St. Jude Hospital, and the Forensic Lab.

During the visit, Dr. Jungkind also delivered a lecture on Ebola at the Hunter J. Francois Library of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.