ST. KITTS AND NEVIS TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE ON A PROJECT TARGETING KIDNEY FAILURE

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, March 30, 2017 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – The Team Unity Government continues to put emphasis on the health and well-being of all residents and citizens of St. Kitts and Nevis, as it will soon embark on a project, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan, that will target kidney failure.

Taiwan’s Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency George Gow Wei Chiou, announced during a cheque handing over ceremony on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, that his government will assist the federation on a Renal Failure Disease Control project starting in April.

This support for the health sector was welcomed by St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, who said the issue of kidney failure is an area of significant concern not only in the federation but throughout the region as well. 

“Come April, further support would be coming to the health sector and in particular those who are suffering from kidney ailment and related diseases. This is an important area because this is an area throughout the Caribbean that is a matter of major concern for our people and so I want to say thanks for the support for the healthcare,” Prime Minister Harris stated.

Dr. Harris also extended further gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis to the Republic of China on Taiwan for partnering with the government on other projects that will improve the delivery of healthcare in the federation.

This, he said, includes the renovation of community centers across St. Kitts and Nevis.

“We are finalizing a number of projects for continuing support this year by your government, including the support for the health sector, in particular the building of a modern health facility in Tabernacle. That was the only health center that was left undone when there was a series of renovation work being done throughout St. Kitts and Nevis on the health centers.”

Ambassador Chiou said a team of experts from Taiwan will visit the federation in the coming week to assist with the implementation of the project.

This new project will greatly complement the recent gains made in the health sector in St. Kitts and Nevis.

In December 2016, the government opened the first ever oncology unit at the Joseph N. France General Hospital where a number of residents have already benefitted from cancer care treatment.

Also, between April and December 2016, hundreds of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were conducted at the St. Kitts Biomedical Research Facility at Bourryeau Estate, saving nationals thousands of dollars on airfare and stay-over expenses they would have incurred if they were to travel overseas for such services.

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