The country’s second largest hospital, after Seychelles Hospital in Victoria, was officially opened at Anse Royale by President James Michel and Health Minister Mitcy Larue on Saturday morning in a ceremony which coincided with the 20th National Day celebrations.

A gift from the Chinese government worth some R40 million it has taken almost four years to complete the hospital after the foundation stone was laid in 2009 by the then Health Minister Marie-Pierre Lloyd and former Chinese ambassador Wang Weiguo.

The guest of honour at the opening ceremony was African Union chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Also in attendance was former President James Mancham, Vice-President Danny Faure, Chinese ambassador Shi Zhongjun, among other dignitaries health professionals, staff of the Anse Royale hospital and inhabitants of the district.

After speeches by ambassador Shi and Minister Larue, the latter, accompanied by President Michel, unveiled the plaque and cut the ribbons to declare open the hospital which started operating its casualty service that same evening while outpatient clinics will be operational there as from today.

Anse Royale parish priest Father David Alcindor and Anglican reverend Christine Benoit said prayers to bless the new hospital and called for God’s blessings for all patients and care-givers using the facilities.

Following a tour of the new health facilities, President Michel said that the new hospital is a landmark achievement for national healthcare provision, and that he hoped the staff and patients of the new hospital would make good use of it.

"Anse Royale has another landmark to be proud of today, a modern hospital with the tools and facilities to serve the people of Seychelles and give confidence in the health system. It is another important contribution for our social development efforts and will elevate the level of healthcare provision for our people. I would like to express, on behalf of the people of Seychelles, our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the government and people of the People's Republic of China for this sincere gesture of friendship and generosity," said President Michel.

Addressing guests at the ceremony Minister Larue echoed President Michel’s expression of gratitude and appreciation to the Chinese people through ambassador Shi.

She also acknowledged and recognised  all contributions from her ministry’s other partners – the different ministries, contractors, education institutions in the Anse Royale district, the different churches, member of the National Assembly Derreck Samson and other individuals who provided a helping hand.

She also paid tribute to the hard-working professional staff of the health ministry especially those working at Anse Royale.
‘’You ensured that an excellent acute service continued to be provided here during the construction period. Thank you for your effort and dedication,” said Minister Larue.

Paying tribute to many health workers who have worked at the Anse Royale Hospital over the years and have contributed enormously to developing services there, Minister Larue has named the female ward there after Mariola Savy. An inhabitant of Anse Royale, the late Mrs Savy dedicated 50 years of her life in the care-giving profession and was one of the longest serving nurses.
 
With regard to the new hospital itself, Minister Larue said it will enhance healthcare delivery and provide greater comfort and privacy for patients and their families.

“It is the health ministry’s strategy to bring specialist health services closer to the people, so the new hospital will provide some specialist services in line with resources and health need of the region,” said Minister Larue.

The Anse Royale hospital provides services to patients from all the southern region and beyond.

Minister Larue noted that in spite of all the substantial health gains Seychelles has seen in the past 20 years and all the improvement to health facilities and increase in services provided and control in certain diseases, challenges of sustaining these achievements are what need to be addressed.

“There needs to be greater effort to increase dialogue with all sectors including civil society and the private sector to promote and integrate good health aspects in all national policies and strategies,” said Minister Larue.

She added that health is everybody’s business and everyone needs to take his responsibility to make healthy choices to maintain good health.
Minister Larue also said the Anse Royale Development Foundation has offered to adopt the hospital – an offer she hopes would develop into a fruitful partnership with the health ministry.

Speaking before her, ambassador Shi said he was privileged and proud to witness and be part of the ceremony to open the hospital which he described as one of the most important in the history of Sino-Seychellois relations.

"The hospital is a milestone in the health sector of Seychelles, a milestone in the relations between our two countries and a token of the friendly sentiments of China. The opening of this hospital will be of great benefit to the Seychellois, especially to the people of the southern part of Mahé… I sincerely hope that the new hospital will be used actively and further contribute to the health of the people of Seychelles," said Ambassador Shi.

He added that the new hospital will ease pressure from the Seychelles Hospital in Victoria and will provide better quality service for patients in the southern region.

Mr Shi commended the strong and friendly relations between China and Seychelles in different sectors. The health sector relations have seen different Chinese health professional teams and volunteers work here. Recently China donated five ambulances to the health ministry and provided training opportunities for Seychellois every year and to date 200 Seychellois medical personnel have received training in China, added Mr Shi.

Thelma Reginald, the nurse manager for Anse Royale and the southern region, said people attending outpatients clinics at Anse Royale will as from today be attended to in the new facilities which is expected to be fully operational and start admitting patients in a few weeks after the management and staff would have fully organised themselves. 

The hospital has 20 beds for males, 20 for females, 10 for children and four for maternity.

All wards are situated on the first floor while the maternity and other rehabilitation services and reception are on the ground floor.

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