The original article can be found in: Antigua Observer By Tameika Malone
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Residents taking care of their bodies the way they do automobiles – with regular service and upkeep before major troubles be come manifested, is the recommendation of former Health Minister of St Lucia, Dr Keith Mondesir, in order to reduce the government’s health care bill.
Speaking on The Big Issues yesterday, Dr Mondesir said his government outfitted the island with several wellness centres, located two to three miles outside developing areas, with the aim of providing quality health care services. But, at the same time, residents were urged to be proactive about their health and well-being.
“It is not when you are sick you go to these centres and this is why (they were) called wellness centres. When you have a truck or a car you take it to service before it breaks down; it is less costly that way than when it breaks down.”
He described the centres as being more advanced than the defunct health centres and said they provided modern facilities and improved services.
Dr Mondesir added that education was pivotal to preventing the need for tertiary health care.
“We chose to develop primary health care; that is the cheapest way to develop the most and to deliver the most efficient and best standard of health in the Caribbean. When we talk about primary, we are talking about prevention,” he added.
Dr Mondesir pointed to the fact that health care was extremely expensive and suggests that international partnerships could reduce the cost for regional governments.
Commenting on what could reduce the need for residents to be treated at Mount St John’s Medical Center, Mondesir said should advance care be required, polyclinics would address those needs.
Currently, the government subsidies a large portion of health care services, but Mondesir said a health lottery could help.
