CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

Construction work is set to resume here in earnest on a new US$11-million psychiatric hospital, started by China, but which is to be completed by Taiwan, as part of a new arrangement with the St Lucia Government.

Addressing Wednesday's sod-turning ceremony to mark the re-commencement of work on the hospital, Prime Minister Stephenson King said completion of the project formed part of the expansion of the island's health system.

A brand new concept

He also credited Taiwan with development of "a brand-new concept" in health care that deals not only with construction of the new mental health facility, but the provision of "a comprehensive and versatile range of services to the people of St Lucia".

Taiwan's ambassador to St Lucia, Tom Chou, criticised the previous design of the project.