A delegation from the World Bank is currently on island undertaking a week-long Implementation Support Mission for the Health Systems Strengthening Project (HSSP) and the OECS Regional Health Project which is being managed by the Project Implementation Unit within the Ministry of Health.

The mission, which will take place from November 11 – 15 will involve setting a clear and detailed plan for meeting the project timelines and milestones, in addition to resolving any challenges that can affect the accelerated implementation of the projects. The mission kicked off by way of a meeting with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Jenny Daniel, where discussions focused on the overall support to be provided to the Project Implementation Unit to accelerate prioritized activities.

Jenny Daniel expressed gratitude for this important and timely implementation support mission with the hope that quite a bit will be achieved.

“At the end of this mission, we really hope to consolidate our position and our progress towards the procurement activities under the project. Generally, to ensure that we have an accelerate move towards completing the projects by their terminally disbursement dates. Particularly we looking to establish timelines; reasonable and achievable timelines for the main goals and objectives of the projects and to ensure that, of course, it meets its overall objectives which is to strengthen our health sector here in Saint Lucia.”

Senior Health Economist of the World Bank Edit Velenyi says she looks forward to the World Bank team providing technical guidance to assist the two projects to successfully implement their activities.

“These health sector reforms are very complex, so the most important part of the mission is to come here to specify very actionable bite size steps and with these steps we are helping the Ministry to march forward with those steps very specifically. So, an action plan, a timeline action and follow-up will be very important, especially since we come frequently like last time we were here a year ago. We will like to make sure that there are very concrete action plans that we can work with the ministry through.”

Over the next couple of days, the mission will focus on a consultation workshop for Health Financing Policy and Strategy, a review of the progress of the PBF Pilot Program to support its institutionalization, progress review of the SMARTing of health facilities and a review of the Annual Workplan and Budget of the OECS Regional Health Project.

The Health Systems Strengthening Project (HSSP) which aims at improving accessibility, efficiency and responsiveness of key health services, comes to a completion in June 2025. However, the OECS Regional Health Project which closes in June 2026, focuses on improving health capacities and strengthening response to public health emergencies.