Madame Speaker in April of last year when the Social Security (Amendment) Act, 2014 was debated and passed I addressed this Honourable House on the subject of Universal Health Coverage.  This amendment laid the foundation for a National Health Insurance System in the Virgin Islands.  

Madam Speaker, as we are aware, Tropical Storm Erika passed through the Caribbean last week and left a path of destruction in its wake. Several islands including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, St. Croix and Dominica were affected by the storm. Thankfully the British Virgin Islands was spared.

Hounourable Dr. D. Orlando Smith, OBE, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hounourable Dr. Kedrick Pickering, Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hounourable Mark Vanterpool, Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable. Myron V Walwyn, Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, other members of the House of Assembly, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Development and staff Director, BVI Social Security Board and staff, Deputy Director with responsibility for NHI and members of the NHI team, fellow residents of the Virgin Islands, members of the Media, Good Morning.

A day when we can as a country finally say that everybody in the BVI, adults, children, the elderly will have access to health care that is good and that is affordable.

On behalf of the Government and people of the British Virgin Islands, I extend my deep and sincere condolences to the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica on the devastation and loss of life caused by the passage of Tropical storm Erika. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Residents of the BVI, once again we have been spared significant impact from a tropical weather system, and we are grateful to God.

Residents of The Virgin Islands, by now you should be aware that a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the Territory. This means that we can expect tropical storm conditions in the warning area within 36 hours.

Residents of The Virgin Islands, I trust that you have been following the updates on Danny and like I am, you are thankful that the system has been now been downgraded to a tropical storm.

Dear Residents and Visitors,

As you are aware Hurricane Danny is approaching the Virgin Islands, and while it is still more than one thousand miles south east of the Territory, forecasters are predicting that we would be impacted by tropical force winds by Monday or Tuesday.

Residents of The Virgin Islands, by now you would be aware that Danny has been upgraded to Category 3 Hurricane. As a result, I have authorised the activation of the National Emergency Operations Centre at Level 2, considering that the Territory will feel some impact from this system by Monday or Tuesday.