Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, is attending the 61^st Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) Directing Council in Washington DC from September 30 to October 4.

Honourable Wheatley is accompanied by Permanent Secretary Ms. Tasha Bertie and Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronald Georges.

The Virgin Islands delegation joins other high-level health officials from across the Americas to discuss and agree on strategies aimed at strengthening the health sector.

Key topics include reinforcing the health system’s response to climate change, information systems for health, pooled procurement, improving epidemic early warning systems for emergencies, improving the response to chronic diseases, and strengthening tobacco control measures. The discussions will also help to set the priorities for technical cooperation and collaboration between PAHO and member states for the upcoming years.

Honourable Wheatley emphasised the importance of participating in the high-level meeting, stating it is critical for addressing some of the pressing health challenges faced by the people of the Virgin Islands.

He said, “Attending these high-level meetings is critical for addressing some of the pressing health challenges faced by the people of the Virgin Islands.  These include care in remote locations, emerging and remerging health threats, high cost of health care, the need to refocus primary health care, climate resilience of the health sector, and lack of integration which all negatively impact the Virgin Islands community.”

Honourable Wheatley added, “Collaborating with health leaders across the Americas allows us to share best practices, develop coordinated strategies, and implement policies that will protect public health, especially our most vulnerable.  The health of our citizens can only be improved by continued cooperation with partners and other Territories through sharing of best practices and collective efforts focusing on sustainable solutions to these global health threats”

Ms. Bertie echoed the significance of the meeting, noting that it offers the Ministry of Health and Social Development opportunities to build on healthcare improvements in the Territory.

“Participation in this meeting is vital as we work towards enhancing our health information systems and long-term care services. Leveraging the insights from this meeting, the Territory will be better equipped to improve surgical, intensive care, and emergency services, Ms. Bertie said, adding, “This can significantly boost patient outcomes and improve our overall healthcare system across the Territory. The opportunities for technical cooperation with PAHO and the development of bilateral arrangements with other territories and other agencies attending the meeting, is critical to improving our overall response to health challenges across the Territory.”

A roadmap will be presented for the development of the PAHO Strategic Plan 2026-2031, set for approval in 2025. This plan will outline the organisation’s strategic priorities and the results to be achieved. Progress reports will also be shared on efforts to reduce disparities in healthcare access for disenfranchised people and the ongoing digital transformation of the health sector.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development remains committed to finding measures to improve and enhance the health and social well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands.