Basseterre, St. Kitts (April 06, 2006): In his World Health Day Address, Minister of Health Honourable Rupert Herbert applauded health workers for their contribution to the health services of St. Kitts and Nevis.
He emphasized the importance of human resources stating that it contributes to producing good health through an effectively working health system. He noted that health workers perform key social roles in all societies and in St. Kitts and Nevis their dedication and spirit of service would be highlighted during the commemoration of World Health Day April 07, 2006.
The Minister of Health also brought out the benefits of regional and international partners. He said that they ensure the continued enhancement of services, skills and knowledge-base of healthcare workers. He specified that it is a matter of pride that public health achievements include a reduction in the infant mortality rate which is presently 12 per 1000, life expectancy averages 70 years and immunization coverage has been consistently near 100 percent.
Minister Herbert also stressed the importance of upgrading the health service legislation.
Legal documents which were reviewed and amended included the Health Institution Act, and the Nursing and Midwifery Act. According to Minister Herbert similar work is being done on the Public Health, the Medical and the Mental Health Act to bring them more in line with modern health trends. He further noted that a cadre of emergency medical technicians had been trained.
Additionally, Honourable Rupert Herbert said that persons living with HIV/AIDS can obtain free anti-retroviral drugs as long as they meet the clinical criteria. These drugs can be accessed from health centres or via private physicians.
Mention was also made of several partners in health which include the government of Taiwan which assisted with the equipping of a modern intensive care unit, the RAMS Group of Companies which provided the RAMS Ophthalmic Centre and partners in the French Caribbean who introduced the peritoneal dialysis unit.
