Saint Lucia Marks International Universal Health Coverage Day

As the world prepared to celebrate International Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day on Thursday, Saint Lucia’s health leaders emphasised the critical role of governments in achieving accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare for all.  At a conference held on Wednesday,  Dr. Alisha D. Eugene-Ford, Director of the Universal Health Coverage Unit, and  Moses Jn Baptiste, Minister of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, shared important updates on the island’s health initiatives and reinforced the government’s commitment to improving healthcare for all  citizens. The theme for this year’s UHC Day is “Health: It’s on the government,” a message that resonated strongly with both health officials.  The theme highlights the importance of political leadership and decision-making in securing quality healthcare for everyone.  Dr. Eugene-Ford pointed out that “Health is our most precious asset,” and stressed that good health allows individuals to reach their potential and contributes to community strength. Dr. Eugene-Ford underscored that the attainment of the highest standard of health is a fundamental right of every human being, regardless of race, religion, political beliefs, or socio-economic conditions.  She explained that “Governments have a role to play in building good health by ensuring policies, frameworks, and standards for health and well-being [are] in place...