New Chief Environmental Health Officer Mr. Lionel Michael is calling on the community to get involved to ensure environmental health resilience.

Mr. Michael who took up his appointment on November 8 has a Master’s of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Environmental Health Sciences.  He has worked in all areas of public and environmental health including water, vector control, institutional and occupational health, solid waste management, food safety, quality and waste water monitoring and inter-sectorial coordination mechanisms.

Mr. Michael stated, “In my experience, I have realised that organised communities hold the key to the success of environmental health resilience. We want to see people mobilised in community, churches or sport groups to support vector control measures.”

Acknowledging that mosquito control is of significant concern the Chief said that dealing with mosquitoes lends itself to active and effective community involvement.  “We are available to make presentations and can assist with training.  We want to empower the communities,” he said.

Mr. Michael stated that his mission right now is to work within the structure of the Ministry of Health and Social Development to improve and accelerate the process of the recovery post Hurricane Irma and to restore, prevent and protect the community from environmental health related diseases.

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