Health
OECS Ministers of Health Collaborate to Address Healthcare Challenges
The recently concluded Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Ministers of Health meeting addressed the pressing healthcare issues faced by member states, according to Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley.
The Ninth Council of Ministers: Health Meeting, which took place concurrently with the 36th OECS/Pooled Procurement Services (PPS) Policy Board Meeting, was chaired by Honourable Wheatley.
Migration of healthcare practitioners from OECS countries emerged as a key topic during the sessions. Honourable Wheatley acknowledged that the Virgin Islands has benefited from this migration and emphasized the importance of finding ways to share the expertise of healthcare professionals among member states. He stated, “The question is now, how do we keep persons in the region so it would not be like St. Vincent and the Grenadines or St. Lucia is losing persons but instead they are sharing their expertise with somebody. That was one of the salient points we took away from the conference.”
Minister Wheatley also highlighted the need for deeper collaboration among states and the sharing of best practices. He expressed gratitude for the knowledge gained from other countries on tackling healthcare challenges, with the ultimate goal of improving healthcare for all citizens.
Echoing Honourable Wheatley’s sentiments, Director General of the OECS, His Excellency Dr. Didacus Jules, emphasized the importance of collaboration in serving the people and enhancing healthcare. Dr. Jules noted that discussions at the meetings focused on pooling the procurement of medicine and medical supplies in the OECS to reduce costs. The OECS aims to transition to a position where all requirements are pooled, ensuring cost-effective delivery of necessary resources to governments.
Minister for Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs in St. Lucia, Honourable Moses Jean Baptiste, described the meetings as fruitful, allowing countries to share their experiences and benefit from each other’s insights. He emphasized the frank and upfront discussions that took place, with a focus on identifying issues and developing action plans for the future.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development hosted the ministers and healthcare delegates from across the OECS from October 9th to 12th to discuss strategies for achieving affordable healthcare in the region. The meetings were held under the theme “Improving Lives through Preventive Healthcare: An Evidence-Based Approach.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development remains committed to fostering partnerships and relationships that enhance the health and social well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands.
Health
Services to Resume at Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic After Completion of AC Works and Deep Cleaning
The British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has confirmed the completion of air-conditioning installation works and a comprehensive cleaning process at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic, clearing the way for healthcare services to return to the facility this week.
The announcement follows a January update in which BVIHSA disclosed that technical challenges had delayed the air-conditioning project beyond its original timeline. At the time, the Authority indicated that once installation was complete, the facility would undergo deep cleaning and an initial air-quality assessment before services could safely resume.
According to Tuesday’s release, those phases have now been successfully finalized.
The Authority said that after completing the installation, the clinic underwent a thorough deep cleaning along with the required air-quality testing to ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. With those measures complete, the transition back to the permanent facility will begin on Wednesday, February 18, and is expected to be finalized within three days.
Residents are being advised that there may be brief service interruptions during the relocation process. Pharmacy services in particular could experience temporary delays as equipment and supplies are repositioned and systems are fully restored.
BVIHSA also previously noted that a one-month follow-up air-quality assessment will be conducted after services resume, though this will not impact the reopening or ongoing operations of the clinic.
The reopening marks another step toward stabilizing operations at the Virgin Gorda healthcare facility, which has experienced multiple service disruptions and temporary relocations in recent years due to infrastructure challenges involving air-conditioning and electrical systems. In 2024, services were moved to a temporary location to ensure continuity of care while repairs and assessments were undertaken.
The clinic, officially opened in February 2020 at a cost of approximately $7 million, serves as Virgin Gorda’s primary public healthcare facility and was designed to deliver modern, climate-controlled medical services to residents.
BVIHSA has apologized for any inconvenience caused during the transition period and expressed appreciation to the Virgin Gorda community for its continued patience and cooperation. The Authority reaffirmed its commitment to providing a safe, comfortable, and fully operational healthcare environment for residents and visitors alike.
The family of Letisha Romney, 31, is appealing for public support to help cover the cost of a liver transplant after she was diagnosed with liver failure in August and transferred to Puerto Rico for advanced medical care.
Romney, a mother of a 6-year-old son, Jevonni, was first admitted to Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital on Aug. 22, before being airlifted to San Juan, Puerto Rico, where doctors said a transplant is her only chance of survival.
Her family said the estimated cost of surgery and post-operative care could range from $80,000 to $100,000, including three months of hospital recovery and aftercare in Puerto Rico, frequent follow-up visits there over the next three years, and medication to prevent organ rejection.
“We are rallying around Letisha with love, prayers and support, but the financial burden far exceeds what we can carry alone,” the family said in a public appeal.
They are asking for donations of any amount to help pay for the transplant, travel and accommodation for medical follow-ups, and ongoing treatment. The family also urged the public to share her story to increase awareness and support.
Romney’s relatives said she is a devoted mother and a family-oriented young woman who enjoys cooking, caring for children and spending time with her son. “With your support, we can give her the chance to recover, to watch her son grow and thrive, and to live the life she deserves,” the family said.
Donations will go directly toward Romney’s medical expenses and post-operative care, according to her relatives.
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Recaudación de fondos de Lisa Romney: Help Letisha Receive a Life-Saving Liver Transplant
The BVI Health Services Authority announced that the Outpatient Pharmacy at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital will be closed on Sept. 19 to facilitate a comprehensive stock count.
The closure will last one business day, with normal operations scheduled to resume on Sept. 22, according to Damion Grange, marketing and communications manager at BVIHSA.
BVIHSA officials said the temporary measure is intended to ensure accurate inventory management, which they described as critical to forecasting and maintaining a reliable supply of medications.
“We encourage patients with ongoing or urgent medication needs to plan accordingly and make necessary arrangements in advance,” BVIHSA said in a statement.
The authority apologised for any inconvenience caused by the closure and directed patients seeking additional information to contact the pharmacy team at 284-852-7556/7659 or by WhatsApp at 284-440-1726.
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