 Saint Lucia recently received the donation of 40 hospital beds and 40 mattresses from the French government to aid in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health and Wellness, Jenny Daniel, believes the generosity displayed by the government of France is a testament to the strong relationship between the two countries. In this instance, the French government, through the University Hospital Chum and Laminard Hospital, has generously donated 40 beds and 40 mattresses which are to be utilized to equip our health institutions and therefore further fortify the health sector to improve capacity to respond to this and any future health threats. Minister for Health and Wellness, Senator the Honourable Mary Isaac, recognized Martinique's continued efforts at strengthening Saint Lucia's own health sector. Prior to this crisis and throughout, we have always received generous assistance from our neighbouring island or should I say sister island of Martinique, through the French government. We get training for our healthcare workers constantly and consistently from Martinique. According to the Charger d'affaires of the French Embassy, Mac Matillieu, the arrival of the hospital beds was as a result of a collaboration of several agencies, including the French Armed Forces, staff of the French Embassy and the University Hospital of Laminard. Frankly speaking, France wanted to express its clear and strong solidarity with Saint Lucia through these various gestures, at a time when the country was experiencing an upsurge in the number of COVID-19 cases. This solidarity exists between two countries that are so close with strong ties and not only geographical. The kinship between Saint Lucia and France dates back to the French Revolution as Saint Lucia was the first country to recognise the revolution even before Haiti. As a result, the French Republic referred to Saint Lucia as Sainte-Lycée Le Fidélèse or Saint Lucia the Faithful. Reporting from the Communications Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, I am Fernelle Neptune.