President Danny Faure visited the Seychelles Public Health Laboratory at the Seychelles Hospital this morning, whose staff have played a key role in the public health response to COVID-19 and keeping the Seychellois community safe.

The President was welcomed by the Secretary of State for Health, Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd, the Public Health Commissioner, Dr Jude Gédéon, the Chief Executive Officer Health Care Agency, Dr Danny Louange and the Chief Laboratory Technologist, Dr Leon Biscornet. Dr Biscornet took President Faure on a guided tour of the Public Health Laboratory where he met with staff and saw the daily operations of units such as Infectious Disease Surveillance and testing. He also visited the Public Health Laboratory extension on the First Floor of the Khalifa Building where the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 is conducted.  

Following the tour, the President met with members of the Public Health Emergency Operation Committee located at Red Roof, which has been the heart of the COVID-19 response operation since the pandemic began. President Faure took the opportunity to personally convey his appreciation for their bravery, dedication and tireless work to protect the lives and livelihoods of the Seychellois people.

"It is in challenging times, like the situation we find ourselves in today, that we can appreciate the social protection system we have created. More than ever, we need to consolidate it and make it more effective. I admire how you have all come together with a deep sense of purpose in order to protect our people and our country. We owe a great debt of gratitude to all our health workers and I have great admiration for all the work you are doing. Thank you,” said President Faure.

He urged the senior management officials present to pass on his gratitude to their respective unit members, and to express the country's deep appreciation for all their efforts and sacrifice as health workers.

Speaking to the press after the visit, Dr Biscornet on behalf of the Seychelles Public Health Laboratory team, said they are grateful for the President’s visit, saying that it demonstrates the government's commitment and support of the health system. He said that he is proud that despite being a fairly small laboratory operation, they have so far managed to deliver on the increasing demand for tests given the widespread impacts of COVID-19.

The Seychelles Public Health Laboratory has a total of 19 staff who have been working diligently over the past few months to meet the requirements of both routine testing and those related to COVID-19.