Saint Lucia: The Ministry of Health of Saint Lucia has released a summary of the complete health report for the year 2023.
In the report, the ministry mentioned that during the year 2023, the health system managed many health programs and diseases. The programs ranged from new, less virulent variants of COVID-19 to regular infectious diseases and chronic non-communicable diseases.
As per the report, 2023 saw a drastic reduction in the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19. This may be attributed to the reduced number of persons presented for testing, the reduction in physician testing post declaration of the end of public health emergency of international concern, home testing and the overall relaxation of measures and protocols.
In the year summary, the ministry talked about the acquisition of PCR machines to facilitate COVID-19 testing that allowed the country the capacity to test and detect other respiratory viruses such as Influenza A and B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
A great increase in cases of RSV was noted in the pediatric population. A similar trend was observed worldwide, particularly in the US, where increased pediatric hospitalizations were documented.
Notably, three cases of Tuberculosis were reported in 2023, in comparison to 2022. 26 new cases of HIV were diagnosed, which represented a 32% decrease observed in 2022. Out of the recorded cases, 65% were males. Currently, 992 persons in Saint Lucia are living with HIV, out of which 57% are male.
The ministry has recorded a significant increase in Dengue Fever in 2023. The majority of the cases were diagnosed in the south of the island, particularly in Vieux-Fort.
Only one case of severe malaria was registered. Since then, no local transmission of malaria cases has been reported. Eight cases of leptospirosis consisting of all males were reported in 2023, which saw a 14% increase from the previous year.
Saint Lucia recorded 11 cases of Leprosy, with a 120% increase in 2023, which led to a national action plan that has been drafted towards the elimination of Leprosy on the Island.
The National Action Plan involves:
- Educational Public Health Campaign
- Intensive contact tracing the affected communities
- Re-training of health care workers for early detection and diagnosis
- Increased country testing
- Aggressive and Consistent Treatment
The summary report emphasises the increasing impact of violence and injuries due to crime and motor vehicular accidents on the hospital system and blood bank resources, which is still a topic of serious concern.
The summary also tells that Chronic Non-Communicable diseases are the major sources of mortality in Saint Lucia, which are causing cancers, cerebrovascular disease/ stroke, heart disease and Diabetes, which are at the top 4 causes of death respectively for the last 10 years.
As per the reports, 56% of Males died in 2020. Cancer accounts for about 1 in every 5 deaths, i.e. 20% in 2020. Men are mostly diagnosed with prostate cancer and women with breast cancer.
It is a cause of concern as most males are losing more of their potential benefit to society due to:
- Assault
- Land Transport Accidents
- Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease (specifically COPD) due to smoking Females are losing more of their potential to society due to:
- Cancer (Breast and Cervical in particular)
- Perinatal Conditions (specific to new-borns)
The Ministry of Health increased the health screening for Obesity. Low fruit and vegetable intake and limited physical activity among the population also increased.
Keeping in mind the increase in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, especially in young males, the ministry will be launching smoking preventive campaigns and working with event planners and other stakeholders to reduce exposure to smoking.
Programs to improve strategies such as the adoption of healthy lifestyles, early detection and screening will be strengthened. The referral process between primary and secondary care also needs to be strengthened urgently to manage patients between services and reduce the loss of follow-up.
The Universal Health Coverage Strategy, Results-Based Financing Project, and Health Systems Strengthening Project will support the implementation of these programs in 2024.
12 SMART health facilities will be set up in 2024 to determine the causes and address the issues to reduce the breaks in service access and provide healthy and safe environments for staff and patients.
New Castries Urban Polyclinics will be opened and will address and improve access to care in the north and central zone of the island and reduce the utilization of the OKEU for non-emergency services.
The Public Health Board noted the increase in the number of unregulated food establishments on the island. Strategies will be put in place to work with them to ensure compliance with food establishment regulations to improve the safety of food being prepared for public consumption.
Concluding the summary, The Ministry of Health mentioned that it would like to take quality initiatives in 2024 and wants to implement the general quality of care and service utilization. The Ministry will continue to provide the public with regular updates on the various programs and interventions.
