Minister Hamilton Pledges St. Kitts-Nevis’ Support of OECS Pharmaceutical Services

(ZIZ News) – Incoming Chairman of the Policy Board of the OECS Health Ministers, who is also St. Kitts and Nevis’ Health Minister, Hon. Eugene Hamilton has pledged the country’s support of OECS Pharmaceutical Services.

Minister Hamilton’s pledge came on Wednesday at the 29th Policy Board Meeting at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

While delivering the feature address, Chairman Hamilton told the gathering of top health officials that several new initiatives must come on stream.

“As we plan ahead, we must be mindful that the region’s epidemiological profile demands new initiatives. In that regard, I believe that the agenda includes (a) A robust OECS Health Information System because we know that data drives decision or should drive decision, (b) compliance with international health regulations because health risks and threats transcend geographical boundaries,” the Minister stated.

He spoke of the need for a well-resourced framework to mitigate and respond to disasters; as well as identifying centres of medical excellence for the referral of patients and specimen.

As a follow-up to the Board Meeting, the 2nd Council of Health Ministers Meeting got underway that night with an opening ceremony at Government House.

Chaired by Minister of State, Hon. Wendy Phipps, that event featured remarks by OECS Commissioner His Excellency L. Sydney Osborne who stressed the need for collaboration.

He said, “I say we in the OECS and CARICOM can reap immense benefits working together. So, let us together build a country in which people will realise true potentials and not only that, as you say here in St. Kitts, they will receive a fair share.”

That ceremony also heard remarks from the Hon. Eugene Hamilton and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Andrew Skerritt.