Saint Lucia

After years of delays and controversy, St Jude Hospital has been handed over to the Government after reconstruction; though the facility is not yet ready to accept patients, the ceremony marked the first step towards full operational readiness

A National Maritime Authority will be established to separate regulatory oversight from port operations and modernise Saint Lucia’s maritime governance framework

All government pharmacies will be closed on 17 October to facilitate the staff’s attendance at a departmental training; the ministry asks the public to ensure their medication refills are arranged ahead of the closure to avoid inconvenience

A health delegation from Saint Lucia participated in a regional meeting for early disease detection and health surveillance in cruise tourism; digital platform CARPHA Caribbean Vessel Surveillance System will monitor travel-related illnesses in real time

The Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited has begun the final, 10-days phase of its Meter Replacement Programme; it will upgrade the metering infrastructure and ensure continued compliance with the highest industry standards for quality and safety

As collisions between livestock and vehicles continue to endanger motorists in the south, including near Hewanorra International Airport, authorities are exploring the use of pasture lands to relocate stray cattle and optimize animal management

To improve support for citizens during difficult times, the National Insurance Corporation is developing a plan for an unemployment insurance program that will provide temporary financial relief to people who become involuntarily unemployed

First African head of State to address St. Lucia Parliament, Nigerian President Tinubu in his official visit announced scholarships for Saint Lucian students, proposed deeper academic collaboration, more cooperation in trade, education, cultural exchange

Eddie Bellas, a Saint Lucian musician has returned to his homeland deported from the US after 25 years there; to rebuild his life and reunite with his four children he launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise US$47 000 to for his legal battles

Coconut vendors near Castries Market are calling for licensing and regulations following social media allegations claiming some dilute bottled coconut water or use unsanitary practices; many are frustration over a few dishonest harming reputation of most