The Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) led by the Ministry of Health and Social Development has received partial scholarships in the amount of $10,000 courtesy the BVI Rotary family.

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone accepted the donation on Tuesday, May 18 and expressed gratitude for the Rotary’s continued support of the programme.

Honourable Malone said, “I think that in this era of a COVID-19 pandemic, it is quite keen that we continue along this particular programme and the $10,000 goes a long way in making sure that it happens. Whether it is lending a hand in storms, pandemics, recoveries, volcanoes; all of this is what the Rotary Family has done and it speaks volumes in terms of service organisations.”

Vice Governor of the Rotary Club of Tortola Mrs. Delma Maduro spoke on behalf of the BVI Rotary Clubs stating that the programme is an answer to address the chronic diseases that have been plaguing the Caribbean Region.

“We are looking forward to the starting of the second cohort and let me also say for those that do not know, that disease prevention and treatment is one of the six causes of Rotary International, so this programme fits in very nicely.”

Deputy Secretaries in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Ms. Tasha Bertie and Mrs. Natalie Fahie-Smith; Assistant Governor and member of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Mr. Ryan Geluk and Immediate Past President Maria Hopkins were also present during the handing over of the donation.

The Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) is a 10 to 12 week course that teaches participants how to boost their health and lead a healthier lifestyle.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide a caring and integrated system of health and social services that facilitates human development and quality of life in the British Virgin Islands.