Saint Lucia: Ministry of Health hosts a staff retreat and awards ceremony

Saint Lucia: The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs recently held a staff retreat and awards ceremony for the team members within the Public Health Primary Care Department.

The staff retreat and awards ceremony allowed for recognizing the contribution of the team members and provided an opportunity to get away from the day-to-day responsibilities and focus on strengthening leadership and professional abilities.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Sharon Belmar-George recognized the sacrifices made by the team members over the past two years, both in the management of programmes and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I really want today to be about recognizing your efforts during the last two years, and I know that a lot of us continue to do it moving forward. This is basically what I want today to be about where you take a break from the office, you receive the training but to put a spotlight on you: who you are and what you do in the ministry, and to recognize the efforts you have done especially over the last two (2) years where we have managed together.”

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Jenny Daniel expressed sincere gratitude to the team members for their immense efforts and dedication to the work of the ministry.

“The simple act of saying thank you does wonders for persons. It provides motivation, shows empathy, shows care, shows concern and, of course, gratitude for efforts made and sacrifices as well. I think we have fought a good battle and implore you to embrace the strategies that will help us to continue in our fight, our objectives to attain good health for our citizenry and, of course, to strengthen our health profile in the event that there is an upcoming epidemic or pandemic on the horizon.”

Minister for Health Moses Jn Baptiste says the work of the team members is greatly appreciated and gave reassurance that his government will continue to work together with them to strengthen primary health care.

“As a government, we want to continue to work. There is a lot of work on the list, we want to focus on trying to strengthen the health care sector and working in an integrated way with everyone to ensure that primary care is strengthening through the Universal Health Coverage programme, which will be launched in a few weeks and we want to continue to integrate COVID-19 management practices and processes in the health care system in general that we no longer see COVID-19 as a special threat but part of our normal healthcare management as we move forward.”

The staff retreat entailed sessions on leadership, being your best self, meditation and effective communication across generations in the workplace.