Grenada Today - Feb 14th, 2004

Taiwan has contributed EC$270,000 to Grenada's health sector. The money was presented to the Ministry of Health during a short ceremony which was held at the Ministry's conference room on February 2.

In handing over the cheque, Ambassador Allan Lii-shang Jiang of the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan said that his government is committed to promoting health care in Grenada and will continue to offer assistance in other areas such as education, agriculture and technical co-operation among others.

Minister of Health Senator Ann David -Antoine accepted the cheque on behalf of the Grenada Government and gave the assurance that the money will be used to purchase equipment for the hospitals and community health centres in the country.

The Minister expressed thanks to the ROC government for the contribution made towards the development of Grenada's health services over the years. Taiwan has been making this financial contribution to Grenada on an annual basis since 1998.

During this period, monies were used to purchase chemistry analyzers, surgical microscopes delivery beds, security cameras for the mental hospital, and equipment to help fight AIDS among other items.

So far, the Republic of China has donated a total of EC$1.6M to Grenada for the procurement of medical equipment. In addition the ROC has invited many Grenadians to various health seminars in Taiwan.

The presentation ceremony was also attended by officials from the Ministry of Health and the ROC Embassy including Permanent Secretary Gemma Bain-Thomas and ROC Second Secretary Mark Lin.