The Ministry of Health and Wellness recently received two defibrillators from Canadian counterparts at a ceremony hosted at the Dennery Hospital.
District Medical Officer, Dr. Aaron Adjodha, described the necessity and functions of the equipment.
“There are times when a patient comes in with an irregular pulse that is also at a very rapid pace, and that is when we have a situation where the patient is in cardiac arrest, and what we need to have in this situation, is a defibrillator. A defibrillator shocks the heart; it gives a brief electric shock to jump start the heart so that it can function normally.”
Yolanda Alcindor, Representative of Saint Lucia Nurses Association welcomed the donation.
“In 2017, during the observation of Nurses Week when our president, Nurse Alicia Baptiste was asked what the association needs, her response was defibrillators for the two district hospitals—Dennery and Soufriere respectively. Today we are fortunate to have received two defibrillators, after the Raquel Chastanet Foundation contacted Ms. Cheryl Francis, Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Canada, who began the process. We therefore recognize the Saint Lucia Cultural Association in Calgary, and Superior Medical Supplies in Toronto, for responding to our needs,” Nurse Alcindor said.
Sen. the Hon. Mary Isaac, Minister for Health and Wellness, extended heartfelt thanks to the donors.
“I am honored to receive the defibrillators and I want to say thank you very much, on behalf of the people and government of Saint Lucia, to our ambassador and the people of Calgary who graciously donated these two pieces of equipment.”
The minister added that the government welcomes any level of support and assistance from other entities which will aid in boosting health services.
The handover was made on Thursday, May 3.
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