Basseterre, St. Kitts, March 13, 2018 (SKNIS): The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has partnered with the Ministry of Health in St. Kitts and Nevis in giving the ministry a substantial donation of medical supplies facilitated by a Kittitian and PAHO Foundation Partnership and Development Consultant, Ms. Minerva Saddler.
At a brief handing over ceremony held at the JNF General Hospital on March 13, Minister of State with responsibility for Health, the Honourable Wendy Phipps, expressed her appreciation for the tremendous donation made by the PAHO Foundation through the hard work of the Ministry of Health and Ms. Saddler as a result of a request for support after the 2017 Hurricane Season where supplies were distributed throughout the community as part of relief efforts.
“The donation is really meant for our institution based health services in St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Minister Phipps, while noting that the supplies will be distributed to the hospitals and health centers throughout St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as the Department of Social Services.
The Honourable Eugene Hamilton, Minister of Health, also expressed his appreciation for Ms. Saddler’s hard work through the PAHO Foundation and noted that “while it is true that this is a PAHO contribution, we cannot ignore the role being played by yourself [Ms. Saddler]. We thank PAHO, the Foundation for responding to the call of the prime minister and to Minister Phipps, and to deliver these to us today.”
Ms. Saddler noted the Foundation’s commitment to building relationships with St. Kitts and Nevis and conveyed that the donation is just phase one of her involvement with the Ministry of Health to improve the healthcare system in the Federation.
“We would like to continue the conversation about how we can help you to bring the Ministry of Health to where you want to see it,” she added.
The 40 foot container of donated supplies included wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, baby supplies, stationery, needles, clothing, and oxygen machines.
The PAHO Foundation was founded in 1968 and is a non-profit organization created by the PAHO with the mission of improving the health and well-being of the peoples in the Americas.
