Carpet Magazine

The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Family Affairs, National Mobilization, Human Services and Gender Relations, is scheduled to hold the handing-over ceremony of the Saint Lucia National Mental Wellness Centre on 11^th November 2009 at 10:00 am at Millennium Highway, Coubaril.  H. E. Dame Pearlette Louisy, the Governor-General and Honourable Stephenson King, the Prime Minister, Speaker of the House of Assembly, President of the Senate, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and Senators have been invited to witness this historical moment.

When the Psychiatric Hospital Project came to a halt in 2007 due to the renewing of diplomatic ties with the Republic of China (Taiwan), the government of Taiwan committed itself to completion of the project. In order to make sure that the project met international standards and to make it sustainable in the long run, experts from Taiwan visited the site before the Saint Lucia National Mental Wellness Centre project restarted on 30^th October 2008.

Approximately just over one year of construction period, Saint Lucia National Mental Wellness Center is completed and has become one of if not the most state-of-the-art psychiatric hospitals in the Caribbean comprising of:

1. 84 beds for psychiatric patients;
2. 24 beds for neurological, geriatric, and general patients;
3. Diagnostic center for X ray;
4. The best auditorium in Saint Lucia;
5. Merge kitchen, laundry, medical records, library rooms;
6. Administrative services for the Neuro-psychiatric Center and the New General Hospital within the premises of the Neuro-Psychiatric Center

The Saint Lucia National Mental Wellness Centre is also a brand-new-concept psychiatric hospital. Firstly the main difference between the old and new concept is that the old design would have served as purely a psychiatric hospital without incorporating the essential characteristics of the psychiatric patients. However, under the ”Brand New Concept” the Saint Lucia Mental Wellness Centre will now serve neurology and geriatric patients as well. Secondly the”Brand New Concept” was designed with psychiatric patients in mind.  For instance, the rooms for the severely mentally-ill patients are fitted with cushioned walls so that patients won’t hurt themselves as opposed to bare concrete walls in the old design. Thirdly thought was given to the safety aspect of exposed showers which are not embedded into the walls, and now they cannot be used for any suicide attempt after being rectified and concealed. Fourthly panel glass have been designed that if broken it will not shatter and cause harm to the patients.

The completion of the Saint Lucia National Mental Wellness signifies the fulfillment of commitment made by Taiwan in 2007. It also signifies the determination and commitment by the Government of Saint Lucia to good health in the country.