Castries, February 28, 2025 – The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs of Saint Lucia proudly welcomes the United States Air Force Southern Medical Mission, Lesser Antilles Medical Assistance Team 2025 (LAMAT-25), marking the fourth U.S. Medical Mission to the island. This mission, in collaboration with Taiwan’s highly skilled medical team, will provide critical healthcare services to the people of Saint Lucia from February 25 to March 8, 2025.
Building upon the success of previous missions, LAMAT-25 brings a multidisciplinary team of over 43 health professionals, including specialists in vascular surgery, general surgery, cardiology, anesthesiology, respiratory therapy, biomedical technology, dentistry, and more. The team will deliver life-saving care and medical training, further strengthening Saint Lucia’s healthcare system.
Colonel and Cardiologist David Good of LAMAT-25 highlighted the team’s comprehensive expertise, stating, “We have 46 members from six reserve units and two active-duty units. We will have two vascular surgeons, two general trauma surgeons, two cardiologists, two ICU nurses, as well as biomedical technicians who should be able to repair a lot of equipment, hopefully keeping our medical devices operational.”
The medical procedures will be conducted at the Owen King European Union (OKEU) Hospital and Saint Jude Hospital, while specialized dental and cardiology services will be available at OKEU, and dental clinics will be established in Anse La Raye and La Clery. This initiative ensures that thousands of Saints Lucians will receive high-quality healthcare services free of charge.
Commending the LAMAT-25 team for their efforts and recognizing the pivotal role of Taiwan in this year’s mission, Karin Sullivan, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, expressed gratitude for their involvement. “A special note of thanks also goes to Taiwan, which has graciously sent three highly skilled doctors to support the LAMAT-25 mission here in Saint Lucia. Taiwan is a key contributor, also providing additional doctors and nurses to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Kitts and Nevis, as they did last year.”
His Excellency Nicole Su, Ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan), emphasized Taiwan’s longstanding commitment to healthcare development in Saint Lucia. “From our renowned Cathay General Hospital in Taipei, we have with us two oral surgeons, Dr. Li Jiaduo and Dr. Li Weiting, along with echocardiogram specialist Dr. Lin Weizhe. Through this knowledge and experience-sharing initiative, this trilateral cooperation will yield meaningful and lasting healthcare improvements.”
A key addition to this year’s mission is the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) training, which will run from February 25-28, 2025. This specialized program is designed to enhance the emergency response capabilities of Saint Lucian first responders, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement officers. With 20 participants from Saint Jude Hospital, Millennium Heights Medical Complex, Primary Health Care, the Marine Unit, the Fire Service, and the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, the training will focus on trauma care for medical emergencies, vehicular accidents, and gunshot wounds, strengthening pre-hospital emergency care.
Hon. Moses Jn. Baptiste, Minister for Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, reiterated the significance of this partnership, stating, “We deeply appreciate the invaluable contributions of the U.S. government, the U.S. Embassy, and the U.S. Air Force South, along with Taiwan’s unwavering support. The medical expertise and resources provided through this mission will positively impact the lives of many Saint Lucians, ensuring access to specialized services that are otherwise difficult to obtain.”
Saint Lucia remains grateful for the continued medical support and looks forward to sustaining these essential partnerships. The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs extends its sincere appreciation to all medical professionals, technicians, and support staff dedicated to making this mission a success.
