Residents in the south of Saint Lucia will have access to free medical care this week, thanks to a joint initiative between the Saint Lucia Mission of Seventh-day Adventists (SDA), the Ministry of Health and a team of over 100 medical professionals from the United States.
The visiting team, organised by Hope Nation 360, is providing a range of healthcare services as part of its broader mission to support underserved communities. The services will be available at the Belle Vue, Vieux Fort Human Resource Centre starting Thursday, June 5, and continuing on Friday and Sunday from 9 a.m.
President of the Saint Lucia Mission of SDA, Roger Stephen, explained the scope of the initiative:
“Hope Nation 360 is a group of medical doctors, dentists, ophthalmologists – 100 of them are coming down from the United States. We’ve partnered with the Ministry of Health and the Saint Lucia Mission of Seventh-day Adventists to make this happen.”
The outreach will offer a wide range of medical services, including free dental extractions, fillings, and cleanings; paediatric care; gynaecological services such as pap smears; and access to a fully stocked pharmacy with free medication.
“It’s a great opportunity for Saint Lucia, especially in the south,” said Stephen. “You need to come very early so that you can be registered.”
Stephen extended gratitude to several key partners, including the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, the Ministry of Health, Eagle Freight Shipping, the Southern Taxi Association, and numerous volunteers who helped make the initiative possible.
The initiative aligns with the SDA Church’s broader focus on health and wellness. According to Stephen, the church’s Health Department, led by Pastor Leeroy David, is committed to promoting healthy living across the island.
“We believe that God is interested in the whole person… Now with all of the health challenges we’re going through, so many cancer cases in Saint Lucia, the noncommunicable diseases; it’s really off the hook and whatever we can do to help alleviate we’ll be more than happy to do so.”
The church has already been active in the south through recent medical missionary training and two weeks of health lectures focused on the prevention and reversal of diabetes, emphasising proper diet and exercise.
“We will be continuing this in the south,” Stephen said, “but we have been placing emphasis all over the island when it comes to bettering our health.”
This is great news for the south of the island. We have been the poor relative of this beautiful island for too long. Everything happens usually in the north.
Congratulations to you for this well needed medical opportunity AND FREE wow!
This is wonderful news. Hope folks take full advantage of this opportunity. Thanks and appreciation to the providers and sponsors.