 The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs remains committed to the process of the implementation of universal health coverage, UHC, in synchrosion. A coordinated approach toward the implementation of UHC is demonstrated following the recent announcement of the establishment of a UHC unit, spearheaded by newly appointed director Dr Alicia Eugene Ford. Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Jenny Daniel, reiterated the focus and benefits of universal health coverage for the people of synchrosion. Universal health coverage speaks to accessibility of care, quality of health services, and equality in the delivery of those services with a focus on preventative health care. The attainment of universal health coverage, however, must be preceded by the strengthening of our health service delivery systems through infrastructural development, establishment of quality assurance standards and licensing of institutions, provision and upgrading of biomedical equipment, strengthening of databases for health patient health information, and development of human resource capacity for health. Dr Alicia Eugene Ford says the rollout of UHC will be achieved through phases and in the coming weeks, a series of activities will be undertaken to ensure this is a success. UHC will be done in phases, okay, we're going to start in small phases but what we assure you, what we assure is that every single phase, we want it to be better than what's existing. So we're looking forward to doing UHC in small phases to ensure that we give the public the services that they need. And we want all of San Dusha to be on board and be part of this because we know at the end of it, we're not the only one benefitting but the whole of San Dusha will benefit from universal health coverage. Minister for Health, the Honourable Moses Jabhatis, reaffirmed his government's commitment to implement universal health coverage and ensure that every individual receive health services needed without suffering financial hardship. And so the implementation of universal health care, while not a new dream, we are hoping as a government that we can take the concrete steps to make universal health coverage a reality in the future. We know that universal, the implementation of universal health care is challenging and difficult. We know that the planning must be thorough. Our commitment must be intense. The financing of it must be assured. At present, the Ministry of Health continues to undertake a series of workshops aimed at ensuring the development of the white paper, which will serve as the roadmap for universal health coverage in St. Lucia. Reporting from the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, I am Fennel Neptune.