The Republic of China (Taiwan) has donated more than 350 pieces of mobility and support equipment to Saint Lucia, in a major boost for people living with disabilities.
The donation, which includes 120 adult wheelchairs, 25 children’s wheelchairs, 40 commode chairs, 80 aluminium walkers and 100 aluminium canes, was handed over during an official ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs.
The ceremony brought together key stakeholders from across government sectors, including representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities, and the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice and Empowerment. The event underscored
a shared commitment to inclusivity, independence, and dignity for individuals living with disabilities.
During the ceremony, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Nicole Su, expressed heartfelt pride in Taiwan’s ongoing partnership with Saint Lucia, highlighting the donation as a reflection of the strong bonds of friendship and a shared vision for empowering all citizens.
“This Taiwanese NGO has been active in offering its long-standing commitment to provide timely assistance to those who are in need, particularly persons with disabilities,” she said. “With this shared spirit, and as a partner in this goodwill operation, my government is happy to join hands with this foundation for the third consecutive year to assist with the sea freight for these goods to be delivered and shipped here to Saint Lucia.”
According to Minister for Home Affairs, Crime Prevention and Persons with Disabilities, Jeremiah Norbert, the donation represents a major milestone for the Department of Persons with Disabilities.
This marks the first official donation received by the department, making the gesture both historic and meaningful.
“From the establishment of the department responsible for persons with disability, we realised individuals flocking into the department, and most times the request was not
more than: ‘Where can I get a wheelchair?’ This has been something which happens basically every day at the department…. It’s not because they want a wheelchair, but the truth is, they need one,” Norbert said.
“So … I see it as more than just a donation; it really fits into the mandate of the Department of Persons with Disabilities—a mandate that says that we are going to restore dignity, we’re going to provide accessibility, and we’re going to create an environment where persons with disabilities feel comfortable in terms of doing things on their own,” he added.
The Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Moses Jn Baptiste expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Taiwan for their continued partnership and generous support.
“This donation is very important. My colleague minister expressed how important it is to assist our people—to cause them to have even more confidence in themselves to be able to move around and do their daily chores and feel that they have some sort of mobility. We wish to thank you for that because it causes our people to have a greater sense of achievement, that they can do things for themselves,” Jn Baptiste said.
