Phase 2 of the “Smart Healthcare Facilities in the Caribbean Project” included the retrofitting of 13 Wellness Centers around the island and 2 Government Health Facilities.

These facilities are now expected to provide comfort to patrons and staff, while withstanding the forces of nature.

Principal Nursing Officer, Mrs. Julietta Cassius said the upgraded ‘green’ facilities are already reporting reductions in daily operational costs.

“Water usage has been reduced through the introduction of no flow fixtures. Rain water harvesting is in place for continuous supply of water to the facility for a period of time beyond water shut offs. Alternate power systems were provided including renewable energy. Efficient LED lighting has reduced electricity consumption. And cost effective cooling systems further contribute to energy savings.”

Mrs. Cassius also spoke of the durability of the new smart structures.

“Our facilities are safe because the roofs have been made sound, backup generators are available so the facilities are powered up to continue service during power outages. Protected windows and doors were installed and disability access was provided via ramps and reels. Signs within and outside the structures were placed and disaster planes where developed for each facility.”

The project which was valued at well over 5 million pounds is expected to set the pace for other smart concept builds on island.

The Micoud and Anse La Raye Health Facilities, both recently constructed, have already adopted the smart concept design. And while only two of the refurbished health facilities are fully smart, it is expected that future facilities on island will adopt the concept.

“This upgrading project brought significant increases to the value of our institutions. So for example the value of upgrading at the comfort Bay Senior Citizens Home was approximately 1.3 million USD and this is significant and we recognize and we thank you for this. The value of the upgrades at the new Beginnings Transit Home and the Vieux Fort Wellness Center Combined 1.3 Million USD. And the cost of the upgrades to the 12 smaller Wellness Centers was approximately 1.5 Million USD as well.”

Phase one of the Smart Project was introduced to the region in 2013.  The second Phase commenced in 2015 in seven countries within the Windward Islands under the funding of the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Resident British Commissioner Ms. Lesley Saunders, St. Lucia has already begun setting high standards.

“Some of the facilities, including this one I believe in Monchy have attained what’s known as the smart gold standard for their safety and gleaning aspect. And I think Comfort Bay as well which I had the pleasure of visiting. And all of you need to be congratulated for that as Saint Lucia was in fact the first country to achieve the gold standard. As has been mention the UK and PAHO have been supporting smart works in facilities in seven countries in the region, reaching a total of 55 facilities. But not only was Saint Lucia the first to achieve the gold standard but was also the first of the seven countries to finish the programmed works.”

Ms. Saunders said a number of the facilities have already been put to the test, during phenomena’s such as hurricane Elsa, the 2021 Eruption of the Soufriere Volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the global COVID-19 Pandemic.

The project was implemented around the region by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization.

Dr. Amelia Del Reigo, PAHO/WHO Representative, said: “PAHO also in addition to this project and to enhance the impact of this project collaborates with the Ministry of Health. Providing Technical Cooperation for the systems development that are complimentary and that includes acquisition of laboratory and biomedical equipment and accessories, capacity building for laboratory and service delivery. Health information management systems and IT security infrastructure, NCD’s and mental Health.”

The official handover ceremony of the 15 smart facilities was held at the newly refurbished Monchy Health Facility. The Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment was also a partner in the transformation of the facilities.

Joachim Henry, Minister for Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment, said: “We continue to think of our people. And as we continue to speak of Climate Change, as we think of Smart buildings and smart facilities, we can only achieve this principal of social justice and empowerment of our people when these mechanisms are mainstreamed through the ministry of planning. When it shouldn’t take the intervention of donors but our plans and standards would ensure that we incorporate those standards as the ordinary and average thing that we do when we are conceptualizing projects of that nature.”

Health officials say the new smart facilities set an effective backdrop ahead of the implementation of Saint Lucia’s Universal Health Care.