The BVI Health Services Authority will be conducting critical repairs and upgrades to its physical infrastructure assets.

The authority in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency will renovate and upgrade key areas in the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital including the Major Peebles Wing and Annex.

 Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley said access to quality healthcare remains a priority of the Government of the Virgin Islands. He said quality healthcare is a key component to improving the quality of life and standard of living of the residents of the Territory and can only be realised through the provision of quality health facilities.

Honourable Wheatley said the renovations are crucial to achieving and maintaining appropriate standards for the provision of healthcare services to the people of the Virgin Islands.  “The impending improvements stand to positively impact all stakeholders who participate in the delivery of healthcare services,” he said.

The Health Minister added, “As the BVI Health Services Authority’s Vision, is to be, ‘The leader and preferred provider of healthcare in the Virgin Islands,’ the quality of our key health infrastructure must rise to meet this goal.  The commemoration of BVIHSA and RDA’s partnership today is a significant first step in achieving this.”

Meanwhile, Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley stated that the government aims to build the Virgin Islands as a model society for the rest of the Caribbean and the world and this starts with good healthcare.

Premier Wheatley said, “Central to this development plan is having of a system that ensures the health and well-being of all citizens and residents. Achieving this goal requires proper facilities and supportive systems to promote good health practices. That is why this partnership between the RDA and the BVI Health Services is important.”

The scope of improvement from the partnership includes:

• Providing medical professionals with the necessary infrastructure to improve and enhance service delivery;
• Ensure residents and visitors who access healthcare services receive improved standards of care, and should thus feel encouraged to further utilize our public health care system, and;
• Support and preserve the hospital in maintaining its accreditation status.

As outlined in the National Sustainable Development Plan, the Government of the Virgin Islands is committed to securing a fully inclusive health system in which everyone will take collective responsibility for improving their health and happiness. 

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