Philipsburg- Commissioner of Public Health & Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus, would like to commend all those working in the health care sector on the occasion of World Health Day 2009 celebrated on Tuesday, April 7.This years World Health Day 2009 focuses on the safety of health facilities and the readiness of health workers who treat those affected by emergencies.
Health centers and staff are critical lifelines for vulnerable people in disasters - treating injuries, preventing illnesses and caring for people's health needs.
This year's theme is, "Save lives - Make hospitals safe in emergencies."
"A hospital such as the St. Maarten Medical Center serves as a primary health care provider, meeting the everyday in-depth care needs related to chronic disease care, safe child birth among many other care services to the community of St. Maarten.
"In times of a national emergency such as a hurricane strike, the medical center plays an essential role in providing emergency services to the injured. Our medical center must be able to withstand hazards and serve people from our community in immediate need.
"As public officials, we have a responsibility to make sure that there is continuity of care during times of disaster. I can assure the St. Maarten community that government will continue to make the necessary investments required in public health especially related to making our public health infrastructure disaster resistant.
"Our medical center has gone through many hurricanes and survived, because it was constructed bearing in mind that we are in the hurricane belt.
"A crisis happens when we least expect it and a well trained hospital staff must be in place at all times. I commend the medical center training wing for training their staff on a regular basis as health workers are the first line of defense during crises so they must be prepared and ready to act.
"Life is precious and government will continue to make the necessary investments in public health as safe health facilities are central to community emergency response, preparedness and resilience," Commissioner of Public Health & Youth Affairs Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).
World Health Day, April 7 marks the founding of the World Health Organization and at the same time is used to raise awareness on a key global health issue.