State Secretary of Public Health, Welfare and Sport Paul Blokhuis (standing) speaking with swimming instructor/coach Carlos Lopes during his visit to St. Eustatius.
ST. EUSTATIUS–During this week’s visit to St. Eustatius State Secretary of Public Health, Welfare and Sport Paul Blokhuis visited no fewer than seven institutions: Centre for Youth and Family, Community Care, St. Eustatius Health Foundation, Auxiliary Home, Daughters of the King Foundation, Mega D Youth Foundation and Statia Sports Facility.
During a brief press moment with Acting Government Commissioner Mervyn Stegers, Blokhuis thanked everyone on Statia for their warm welcome.
He said this was his first visit to Statia and that he hopes to return soon and see some of improvements. He said he had a series of meetings and visits with many workers in medical, elderly care and youth facilities with “very energetic” professionals and volunteers.
He said that care at Queen Beatrix Medical Centre (QBMC) is not quite on the same high level compared to other countries in the Caribbean.
“Everyone in Statia knows that new medical facilities are necessary,” Blokhuis said. “My energy and that of my team is focused on supporting the people of Statia to achieve this. Money is not the issue. What we need is a clear governance structure, optimal cooperation between the hospital and the Auxiliary Home, and a clear plan. If we achieve that the financing will follow, you have my word on that,” he said.
Over the summer a baseline assessment will be made to provide the ministry with the necessary information to decide on the improvement of the medical centre.
During his visit to Saba, Blokhuis visited A.M. Edward’s Medical Centre, which is currently being refurbished and upgraded, and he said he was “impressed” and hopes to see similar developments on Statia soon.
In the coming years, the health ministry wants to invest in the prevention of and support for unplanned pregnancy. Many girls on Bonaire, Saba and Statia are confronted with unplanned pregnancies.
“We want to prevent those situations as much as possible and also want to help if an unplanned pregnancy does happen,” Blokhuis said.
The ministry wants to work with people and organisations to draft a programme for the coming years, and Blokhuis said he will provide the necessary funding.
Starting next year, one million euros will be made available for activities under the prevention and sports agreement for all 24,000 inhabitants of the Caribbean Netherlands, which are to include activities to prevent smoking, obesity and problematic alcohol use, but also activities focused on helping people to eat healthier, become more active and participate more in sports.
“In the European Netherlands we’re very active on these subjects, and we want to be equally active here with a Caribbean approach.”
On all the Dutch Caribbean islands Blokhuis saw and discussed the damage caused by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
Last week, while he was on Curaçao, it was agreed by all the countries within the kingdom to work together to deal with future hurricanes and other crisis situations.
“By the end of 2018 we need a clear picture of all we need to do to be prepared in a crisis situation in Statia, and in all the other public entities and countries within the kingdom. Together, we will continue to work hard for the health and wellbeing of all.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78078-state-secretary-blokhuis-hopeful-about-improvements-at-qbmc
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