The Government of the Virgin Islands along with other agencies and individuals will provide over 300 grants to persons who require financial assistance to participate in the Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP).

The CHIP programme offers a 10 to 12 course which teaches participants how to boost their health and lead healthier lifestyles.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone at a press conference to launch the training programme this week explained that 300 grants will be spread across the nine (9) electoral districts. The $150 scholarships will offset the $200 cost of the CHIP course and recipients will be required to pay $50.

Additionally, the Rotary Clubs of Tortola is providing a scholarship grant of $10,000, which will provide 100 scholarships at $100 each. Recipients will pay the remaining $100.

Representative for the Seventh District Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley is sponsoring ten (10) grants for District 7 residents; at $170 per participant. Recipients will be required to pay $30.

Members of the House of Assembly have sponsored classes at Her Majesty’s Prison for 15 imprisoned individuals. A class will also be held for 15 officers.

Persons interested in receiving the scholarships are asked to sign up for the programme by downloading the registration form online at www.bvi.gov.vg/vichip, and by submitting via email to chipvirginislands@gmail.com. Interested persons can also contact the BVI Health Promotion Unit via telephone 468-4936.

CHIP classes are being held in four (4) main locations: East End and Road Town on Tortola; along with Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. Classes in East End begin on June 23 followed by an information session for Virgin Gorda at the Village Cafe Conference Room. Classes begin on Jost Van Dyke on July 8. Information on other class dates and locations will be made available to the public over the next few weeks.

Each CHIP session will run for approximately two hours. The course will be led by 22 certified facilitators who were trained in the Territory in November last year.

For more information, follow @chipbvi on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on classes.

The Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP) strategy is scientifically based with proven results in preventing, arresting and reversing chronic diseases. The programme was founded in the United States of America in 1988 by Dr. Hans Diehl. The Ministry of Health is the holder of the license to operate CHIP in the Virgin Islands.

Photograph and flier are attached.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone speaking at the Press Conference to Launch CHIP on Monday, June 15, 2020, at the BVI Red Cross Headquarters.