The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, through its Environmental Health Division, proudly joins the global community in commemorating Environmental Health Day 2024. This year's theme, “Creating Resilient Communities through Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation,” highlights the critical role environmental health plays in safeguarding public well-being amidst growing global challenges.

In recognition of Environmental Health Day, Chief Environmental Health Officer Cheryl Eugene-St. Romain underscored the Ministry’s commitment to tackling pressing environmental health issues, noting, “Our division prioritizes key areas such as Food Safety, Water Quality, Vector Control, Institutional Hygiene, and Port Health, which are the pillars of a resilient public health system. We remain focused on ensuring the safety and quality of these fundamental aspects of daily life, essential to the health and prosperity of our communities.”

In addition to vector control, the Ministry is addressing the broader impacts of climate change. Increasingly frequent natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods, along with declining air and water quality, have heightened the demand for urgent environmental health interventions. The Ministry continues to advocate for water safety, recognizing access to clean, safe drinking water as a basic human right and a cornerstone of disease prevention.

Eugene-St. Romain also stressed the Ministry's efforts in light of the current dengue outbreak declared in September 2024. She affirmed that strengthening the Vector Control Program is a key initiative, stating, “We have ramped up surveillance and community engagement activities to mitigate the spread of dengue and other vector-borne diseases. Our teams are actively working on the ground, executing targeted interventions to protect Saint Lucians from these growing threats,” stated Acting Chief Environmental Officer, Cheryl Eugene-St. Romain.

Collaboration between the Environmental Health Division and key partners, including the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Port Authority, helps secure national borders against cross-border disease transmission, a growing risk with increased global travel and trade.

The Ministry of Health remains unwavering in its pursuit of a healthier, safer environment for all. Through regular inspections, monitoring, and public education campaigns, the Ministry encourages all Saint Lucians to contribute towards reducing their carbon footprint and enhancing their community’s resilience in the face of climate change.