THE St Jude Hospital welcomed a team of Taiwanese medical volunteers from the Changhua Christian Hospital at a brief welcome ceremony on Wednesday, July 31st.
The medical practitioners, who are specialized in various areas of medicine, will be imparting their skills and knowledge to the staff of the St Jude Hospital and assist in the provision of health care to patients of the facility. The team of volunteers which includes six medical practitioners will be at the hospital for two weeks.
In 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the two countries which allows for the provision of medical volunteers to St Jude Hospital as well as the facilitation of opportunities for the training and professional development of its staff at the Changhua Christian Hospital in Taiwan.
In his welcome remarks, Dr.Sylvestre Francois, Officer-in-Charge of St Jude Hospital said the hospital has benefited tremendously from the exchange.
He said he’d had discussions with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Overseas Medical Mission Centre, Dr. Nina Kao, on exploring ways in which the relationship between the two countries could be broadened for greater mutual benefit.
The Ambassador of Taiwan, His Excellency, Douglas C.T. Shen, in his remarks said the Government of Taiwan is committed to assisting St Lucia in health care.
Ambassador Shen expects the health care system in St Lucia to be significantly improved when the new hospital is completed. The hospital will be constructed by a Taiwanese construction firm.
“We hope when the next volunteers visit St Lucia, we will have a new St Jude hospital which will be better equipped to help those persons in need,” said Ambassador Shen.
In her remarks, Dr. Nina Kao said Taiwan is proud to assist the staff of St Jude Hospital and will continue to do so.