This year health care in the south of the island received a major upgrade. Improvements to the provision of health care are due to the construction of the Micoud Wellness Centre. Recognition goes towards the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP). DVRP has made major contributions to advances in climate resilience and in this case health care. The Micoud Wellness Centre is a 4000 square foot, client resilient, modern facility.

Nursing staff and patients continue to sing praises of the structure months after its opening. Community Health Nurse at the Micoud Wellness Health Centre, Germain Dalsou says the larger space facilitates the provision of more medical services.

“We provide general medical clinic where clients with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, whatever it is that they are not well with, they come to the wellness centre and they will be seen by a general doctor. We also have an anti-natal clinic where pregnant women will be coming to the facility to be checked. We have post-natal where after they deliver, that they will be coming to the facility as well. We provide child health clinic where children will be coming to the facility to be assessed. We have a nutritionist which comes to the facility to provide nutritional assessment for the client “

Construction of a more climate resilient health facility falls in line with the DVRP’s mandate. There are 4 observation rooms, a dental room, nurse’s station, sterilization room and pharmacy. First time patient Elizabeth James conveys her pleasure with the new facility.

“Well, this is my first time and I must say from the outside you could really see it is a nice building but then upon coming in you can see it’s well built. Whoever came up with this plan was actually really thinking of the people of Micoud North.”

Patient Tony Biscette echoes appreciation of the Wellness Centre.

“This facility is a superb facility, compared to the previous one and from my understanding there will be lots of operational services which will be provided here. “

Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is high in Saint Lucia. NCDs include Hypertension and Diabetes.  Hence, the facility places focus on NCD management.