Hillsborough, Carriacou, November 20th, 2009– The Grenada Government, which has made the delivery of services at home for people living on Carriacou and Petite Martinique one of its priorities, has outlined some of its plans in the area of health for the Sister Islands.
The plans are to be executed jointly by the Ministry of Health, headed by Senator Ann Peters, and the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, led by Senator George Prime.
Hon. Peters, who led a Ministry of Health delegation on a two-day visit to Carriacou and Petite Martinique, said one of the goals is to see the Princess Royal Hospital – the lone hospital on the 13-square-mile square mile island of Carriacou – operate with greater efficiency and self-sufficiency.
Among other things, government would like to see fewer people from Carriacou and Petite Martinique travelling to Grenada for “basic procedures’’ such as blood tests, Senator Peters said.
The delegation, which visited the Princess Royal Hospital, the Petite Martinique Health Centre and other health facilities, included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Allison Miller and Chief Nursing Officer, Nestor Edwards. They were accompanied on the site tours by Senator Prime and by Policy Advisor in the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, Dr. Everson Peters.
Staff at all the institutions were highly commended on their level of dedication, and on the general upkeep of their working environment.
The visit is all part of the strengthening of collaboration between the Health Ministry and the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, in seeking to reorganize and refocus the quality and level of service provided to the people, Senator Peters said.
“As part of plans for 2010, a lot of focus will be placed on the subsidiary services,’’ said the Health Minister.
Senator Prime added that the visit by Senator Peters and her team, as well as the health plan, are in keeping with government’s overall thrust for his ministry to better coordinate and work along with other ministries in Grenada.
In decentralising services, and making them more accessible to people in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, drivers’ licences are now being issued in Carriacou.
Prime Minister Tillman Thomas and his administration are also working on an initiative to establish local government in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, and to open Petite Martinique’s first secondary school.