Apdar to function as usual even with repealed bill, Minister Vidot says |02 October 2021

Minister for Health Peggy Vidot has reassured staff and patients of the Agency for the Prevention of Drugs Abuse and Rehabilitation (Apdar) that the agency will continue to provide the same service and working conditions will remain the same, even with the repeal of the Apdar Act.

Minister Vidot made this proclamation yesterday in a press interview following her visit to Apdar’s new main office based at Mont Fleuri, in a newly renovated building which used to house the police’s criminal investigation division (CID). Apdar moved in the building in May this year.

The organisation is expected to lose its status as an agency and function under the Ministry of Health once President Wavel Ramkalawan assents to the repealed bill.

The minister was accompanied on her visit by the principal secretary for health Dr Bernard Valentin and elected member of the National Assembly for Mont Fleuri, Michel Roucou.

Minister Vidot and her delegation were led on a tour of the Apdar facility after which they met with some of the employees of Apdar to discuss the agency’s transfer to the health ministry and other pertinent issues.

“It is fitting that we are here today because this week we witnessed discussions regarding the repeal of the Apdar bill in the National Assembly and this is the right time for a visit because many workers at Apdar are in need of certain clarifications of how they will function going forward,” explained Minister Vidot.

“We had the opportunity to meet with them and clarify any misunderstandings, answer their questions so they know exactly what to expect with the change.”

“It is important that we reassure everyone that no one will be losing his or her employment and that their working conditions will remain the same as they were, and that they would be looked at in the same manner as other employees in the Ministry of Health. This reassurance given today has been very beneficial,” added Minister Vidot.

The minister further reassured the over 3000 clients of Apdar that they will continue to receive the same service from the organisation and should not hesitate to reach out to Apdar.

“The only change is in regards to administration whereby it will no longer be an entity on its own but will fall under the umbrella of the Ministry of Health,” added Minister Vidot.

Minister Vidot explained that Apdar’s integration within the Ministry of Health will allow for better exchanges of expertise and make better use of resources in the treatment and rehabilitation of persons abusing drugs and alcohol.

Presently, Apdar is making use of doctors and nurses from the Ministry of Health so the transfer will ensure that the treatments and programmes are streamlined.

Aside from providing clarifications on the changes at Apdar, the visit was also an opportunity to thank and commend the staff of Apdar for their great work so far and forms part of the health minister’s familiarisation visit within her ministry.

Chief executive of Apdar, Geralda Desaubin, stated that the minister’s visit came at an ideal time and provided staff members with the opportunities to voice out their concerns in regards to the shift.

“Much of our work during the pandemic has been put on hold or reduced because much of our work is based on interaction but Covid-19 has forced us to limit these interactions. We have had to change the way we do certain things because we cannot put our staff and clients at risk,” Ms Desaubin noted in regards to Apdar’s services at present.

Ms Desaubin noted that Apdar’s move from Providence to its new building at Mont Fleuri is a welcomed relocation since the organisation is now closer to town and to the Ministry of Health.

There are 15 staff working at the Mont Fleuri headquarters although Apdar counts a total of 71 full-time employees and 30 part-time staff.

The accompanying photographs show Minister Vidot and her delegation interacting with staff and management as well as a view of the new building housing Apdar’s main office.

Elsie Pointe

Photos by Louis Toussaint