The Ministry of Health and Social Development, along with the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), held a public meeting on Virgin Gorda to discuss and address key healthcare concerns of residents.

The community meeting provided an avenue for residents of Virgin Gorda to voice their concerns, share ideas and collaborate on potential solutions regarding the healthcare issues on the island.

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent Wheatley thanked residents for their honesty and frankness in voicing their concerns about healthcare on Virgin Gorda.

Honourable Wheatley said, “There will be actions taken. All of your suggestions will be compiled and used to chart a way forward to improve our healthcare here on Virgin Gorda. My job now remains to get the funding to actualise the plan for access and improvement to our healthcare.”

Honourable Wheatley added, “We must also look at stepping up our recruitment strategies to get doctors to come to Virgin Gorda. We must entice them with incentivized packages. Nonetheless, achieving all of this and improving Virgin Gorda’s healthcare must be a collaborative effort between the Government, Non-Governmental Organisations, the private sector and concerned citizens.”

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ms. Tasha Bertie noted that several salient points were put forward by residents which have been taken into account to formulate a clear strategy on dealing with Virgin Gorda healthcare issues.

“As the parent ministry for the BVIHSA,” the Permanent Secretary said, “we recognise that there are a number of deficiencies in delivering some key services required and we will continue to advocate through the budgeting process to get the funds required to support the delivery of healthcare in the Territory, especially for our Virgin Gorda community.”

The community meeting on Virgin Gorda marked the first in a series of meetings planned for the sister islands. The event was held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Hall on Saturday, 7 September and also featured remarks from Chairman of the BVIHSA Board, Mr. Ron Potter, Ag. Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Dr. June Samuel and other members of the BVIHSA’s Management Staff.

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