The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, in collaboration with Hand Help Inc., will host the second-Hand Surgery Mission in Saint Lucia from March 29 to April 2, 2026, offering free specialist care to children and adults across the island.
The mission will be conducted at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex and St. Jude Hospital, bringing together an international team of volunteer medical professionals to provide advanced hand and upper extremity treatment.
Chief Medical Officer Sharon Belmar-George confirmed the details of the upcoming initiative.
“The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition, in collaboration with HandHelp, Inc. will be hosting the second-hand surgery mission in Saint Lucia from March 29th to April 2nd, 2026. The mission will be held at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex and the St. Jude Hospital,” she said.
Belmar-George highlighted the longstanding global work of the charitable organization.
“HandHelp, Inc. is a charitable organization that has provided hand surgery care to children and adults around the globe for the last 25 years,” she explained.
She noted that the visiting team comprises highly qualified professionals who volunteer their expertise.
“The team comprises board-certified and licensed medical professionals, including plastic surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, pediatricians, anesthesiologists, hand therapists, nurses, and surgical technicians who volunteer to provide the service of hand surgery,” she said. “They also provide all the necessary medical supplies and surgical equipment for the mission.”
A wide range of conditions will be treated free of charge during the five-day outreach.
“The services that will be provided free of charge to the public include the management of the entire spectrum of hand and upper extremity pathologies in children and adults, including soft tissue and bone injuries, congenital anomalies, nerve palsies, burns,and elective surgeries for hand conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger fingers and carpometacarpal arthritis,” Belmar-George stated.
In addition to patient care, the mission will include a training component aimed at strengthening local capacity.
“Medical education and training for clinical staff will also be an important component of the mission,” she added.
Members of the public seeking assessment and possible treatment are required to register in advance.
“Persons who would like to be seen, reviewed, and treated by the Hand Help medical surgical team should go to the nearest public health facility, whether it be the wellness centers, the polyclinics or the community hospitals during the scheduled medical clinics for an initial assessment and registration from Monday, February 9th 2026, to Friday, March 6th 2026,” Belmar-George advised.
Private practitioners may also refer patients using the designated registration form. “Completed forms should be submitted to the office of the chief medical officer by Monday, March 9th 2026,” she said.
All registered patients will then be reviewed and scheduled by the visiting team on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
“All persons registered are required to be reviewed and scheduled by the Hand Help medical surgical team on Sunday, March 29th 202,6 at the Owen King EU Hospital from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or the St. Jude Hospital from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” she explained.
Walk-in patients and individuals who underwent surgical procedures during last year’s mission and require follow-up will also be accommodated on that day.
The Millennium Heights Medical Complex will host additional patient assessment and registration clinics on February 19 and 26 and March 5, 2026, at the outpatient clinic, while St. Jude Hospital will conduct similar clinics on February 17 and 19, 2026.
Belmar-George encouraged patients to bring relevant medical documentation.
“Kindly walk with any diagnostic results or medical information during those visits,” she urged.
She assured the public that continuity of care will be prioritized after the visiting team departs.
“The local medical and surgical teams will work along the visiting medical team to ensure there is continuation of care after the mission,” she said.
The Ministry is encouraging individuals with upper extremity or hand-related concerns to take advantage of the opportunity.
“The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition advises the public with upper extremities or hand-related health concerns to take full advantage of this opportunity for specialist care,” Belmar-George stated.
For further information or clarification, members of the public may contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer at 486 5386.