Remarks at Victoria Hospital During a State Visit to Saint Lucia
Chen Shui-bian
President
Republic of China (Taiwan)
January 17, 2008
Health Minister Dr. Keith Mondesir, Hospital Administrator Mrs. Fevrier, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Good morning!
It is a great pleasure to visit Victoria Hospital during my stay in St. Lucia, Helen of the Caribbean. Through this experience, I can learn more about the healthcare system of your country. We are deeply impressed by your friendship and warm hospitality. I would like to express our gratitude to you once again.
Victoria Hospital plays a crucial role in the healthcare of the people of St. Lucia. Taiwan feels very honored to have opportunities to assist Victoria Hospital in purchasing medical equipment for its facilities, thereby bolstering St. Lucia's medical resources and enhancing its healthcare services.
At the end of last August, when I was visiting our Central American ally Honduras, it was reported that Hurricane Dean caused casualties in St. Lucia. Upon learning the news, I promptly made a phone call to Prime Minister King to express my concern, at which time I was informed that the roof of the children's ward had been ripped off by the storm. I immediately expressed our willingness to help repair the roof of the children's ward and begin the long-stalled rebuilding of ward 6. During this visit, I was delighted to learn that the reconstruction project of Victoria Hospital has gone smoothly.
Healthcare and disease prevention should heed no national boundaries. Even though Taiwan is not a member of the World Health Organization, we are most willing to fulfill our responsibilities as a member of the international community and the global village. Therefore, in addition to enhancing the quality of Taiwan's domestic healthcare services, we have also been committed to helping other countries improve medical care services. That's why we dedicated ourselves to the reconstruction of the children's ward and ward 6 of Victoria Hospital.
Today, on behalf of Taiwan's government and 23 million people, we would like to announce that we shall contribute another US$100,000 to Victoria Hospital. It is our hope that the hospital can further enhance its medical services and aid a greater number of people.
I also want to take this opportunity to express our respect and gratitude to Prime Minister King, Health Minister Mondesir, and the government and people of St. Lucia for supporting Taiwan's efforts to participate in the WHO as a member. In closing, I would like to wish Victoria Hospital all the best, as this would be a great blessing to the people of St. Lucia. I also want to wish our two countries great prosperity, and all the distinguished guests health and happiness. Thank you.