The improvement of the Territory’s health status is said to be top on the agenda of the Interdepartmental Technical Working Group (TWG) led by Chairman Honourable Archibald Christian.  

Honourable Christian said the group is on a mission to strengthen collaboration among government agencies to address the health and wellbeing of the entire population across the lifecycle. He added that work will be done with other sectors to create strong alliances and partnerships that recognize mutual interest, and shared targets.

The working group is one of the implementing arms of the BVI’s Health and Wellness Advisory Council and is charged with the responsibility of coordinating and implementing government’s polices, programmes and projects that will improve the health and well-being of the population and reduce and prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

Coordinator for Health Promotion Services and Focal Point for NCDs, Ms. Ivy George explained that the group will also seek to provide leadership and sustainable mechanisms that support government agencies working collaboratively on integrated solutions to promote health and wellbeing and to prevent increase in NCDs and their risk factors.

Ms. George said, ‘It uses a health in all policies approach which calls for strong coordinated government action to tackle the determinants of health and wellbeing, and to avoid duplication and fragmentation of actions.”

The Health Services Coordinator stated that the Adelaide Statement on Health in All Policies 2010 states that good health improves quality of life, enhances workforce productivity, increases the capacity of learning, strengthens families and communities, and supports sustainable habitats and environments. Ms. George also noted that good health also contributes to security, poverty reduction and social inclusion.

The group is made up of senior government officers from the Agriculture, Education, Health, Finance, Labour, Urban Planning, Trade, Transportation, Academia and Sport and Social Security sectors.  It’s work will be accomplished through six main sub-committees including Alcohol and Tobacco Prevention and Control, Physical Activity and Physical Literacy, Healthy Schools/Early Childhood Centres, Safety and Health in the Workplaces, Healthy Spaces and Places (Built Environment) and Chronic Care Treatment and Control.

The Interdepartmental Technical Working Group consists of persons with expertise and experience in their respective subject areas, and is guided by recommendations, policies and programmes prepared by local regional and international agencies.

The Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring that all aspects of the environment are managed efficiently to enable all persons in the BVI to attain and maintain optimal health and wellbeing.