STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE VINCENT WHEATLEY

MINISTER FOR NATURAL RESOURCES, LABOUR & IMMIGRATION

NINTH SITTING OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE FOURTH HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 12th August 2021

Social Security Board Scholarship Awards

Mister Speaker, the Social Security Board had an Award Ceremony to congratulate the recipients of the 2021 Nursing Scholarships - Ms. Shenice McKelly and Ms. Stephanie Payne, both of whom will be attending the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, USVI.

Over the years, it has been the quest of the Social Security Board and by extension the Ministry of Health, to enhance the health care system in the British Virgin Islands. The Social Security Board recognised the value of scholarships and the importance of excellence in the practice. The Social Security Board is committed to the development of the Nursing and Medical fraternity and to the increase in professional staffing at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital.

Mister Speaker, these two young ladies have shown a keen interest in nursing and protracted good academic achievements toward the profession and thus the SSB was pleased to award three (3) and four (4) year scholarships equating to US$350,000 in support of this initiative. SSB is elated to be a part of their journey and we look forward with great anticipation to their return to the Territory where they will take up the Florence Nightingale type of service at the hospital.

I thank you.