A lecture addressing estate planning, palliative care and issues surrounding care for persons who are terminally ill will be held on March 16.

The lecture is as a result of training done with physicians on medical ethics last year. Medical Officer for Health, Dr. Ronald Georges said that it was realised that there were a lot of deficiencies relating to end of life issues among the physician population, which included concerns as to how best to deal with patients and their families when dealing with end of life matters.

 Dr. Georges added, “As a result we decided that we needed to do some education among the physician population to deal with these issues.  We also recognised that families also needed some assistance in this area and hence the lecture.”

Dr. Georges said the goal of the lecture is to provide information, knowledge and skills on some of the issues that arise around end of life and some of the actions that can be taken before to reduce stress and strife during that time.

Dr. Georges further stated, “At some point in time we all will die.  All of us have loved ones that will be impacted once we go.  This lecture will assist in planning and to empower persons to assist those they love.”

The lecture will showcase three speakers. Senior Partner and Head of Chambers at McW Todman & Co., Mr. Terrance Neale will speak on estate planning; Director of Pastoral Education Baptist Health International, Reverend Guillermo Escalona will address issues of death, dying and grieving; and Specialist in Hospice and Palliative medicine, Dr. Zulmarie Ortiz Rivera will give an overview on palliative care.

 The End of Life and Health Estate Planning Lecture will take place on Wednesday, March 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Training Division Conference Room located in the Betteto Frett Building upstairs of Little Switzerland. 

The lecture will be hosted by the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the BVI Health Services Authority and Baptist Health International.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to improving the health of the people of the Virgin Islands.