Health
Health Fair Raises Awareness Among Men on Virgin Gorda
The Office of Gender Affairs hosted a comprehensive health fair on Virgin Gorda to address critical health issues affecting men.
This initiative marked the culmination of Men’s Health Week 2024, celebrated across the Virgin Islands from June 10 to 22 under the theme, “Men’s Health is our Wealth.”
Residents received complimentary screenings for diabetes, HIV, and general health checkups. Additionally, the event provided vital information on mental health topics such as depression and anxiety.
Patricia Hackett, Gender Affairs Coordinator, emphasized the importance of the event. “Hosting the health fair on Virgin Gorda was crucial to create awareness about prevalent health issues affecting men on the sister island,” she said. Hackett noted the event’s role in fostering a healthier and stronger community by offering essential health services and information.
The event saw significant participation from the community, with a notable presence of young men eager to learn about sexual health, HIV/AIDS, and mental health, as well as to undergo general health checkups. “It was gratifying to see men, especially young men, support the event. Participants were keen to learn about health issues and ensure their well-being,” Hackett remarked.
Many attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to take HIV/STI tests, committing to regular health checks. One participant highlighted the importance of knowing one’s health status and advocated for regular health checkups among young men on the sister islands.
The health fair featured booths from six organizations, including the BVI Diabetes Association, Red Cross-VG, MHSD-Public Health, and Five Doctors Medical and Wellness Centre. The Office of Gender Affairs provided information on alcohol use, the impact of health and violence on men’s mental health, and facts and myths about prostate health.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development reiterated its commitment to enhancing the health and social well-being of the Virgin Islands’ residents.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a significant rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide, with over 1 million new infections occurring daily among adults aged 15-49.
A report published on May 21 highlighted a troubling increase in syphilis cases, which have surged from 7.1 million in 2020 to 8 million in 2022. This includes a worrying rise in congenital syphilis cases.
Additionally, the WHO has raised alarms about antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea with nine countries reporting heightened resistance to ceftriaxone, the last-line treatment for this infection.
The overall rise in STIs is exacerbated by inadequate screening and limited access to healthcare services, the WHO revealed.
“The rising incidence of syphilis raises major concerns,” says WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“We have the tools required to end these epidemics as public health threats by 2030, but we now need to ensure that, in the context of an increasingly complex world, countries do all they can to achieve the ambitious targets they set themselves.”
In contrast, there has been positive news in the global fight against HIV. New HIV infections have decreased from 1.5 million in 2022 to 1.3 million, marking significant progress.
However, the WHO noted that certain populations, including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender individuals, and those in prisons and other closed settings, continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV.
The report also highlighted advancements in expanding services for STIs, HIV, and hepatitis. Several countries have successfully eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and/or syphilis.
To further reduce infection rates, the WHO recommended accelerating efforts to decriminalise and destigmatise those affected by STIs and other infections.
Strengthening primary prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is also key to raise awareness and improve outcomes for those affected by these conditions.
Amidst mounting concerns over the malfunctioning air conditioning system at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has announced the arrival of an expert technician from Johnson Corporation, who is now on-site at the hospital, working to rectify the air conditioning problem.
“We’re pleased to announce that the expert technician from Johnson Corporation is now on-site at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, working diligently to resolve the air conditioning issue. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work to ensure a comfortable environment for all our patients and staff,” the post read.
The hospital has been grappling with the air conditioning malfunction for some time, causing discomfort for both patients and staff amidst soaring temperatures. J.M. Samuel MBBS, DM, Acting Interim Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the challenges posed by the ongoing issue in a press release last week, and assured the community of the hospital’s commitment to addressing the technical complexities.
“Our top priority is to ensure the well-being of everyone involved while we work diligently to address the technical complexities at hand,” stated J.M. Samuel.
In response to the crisis, emergency surgeries have been redirected to Bougainvillea Clinic to minimize disruptions, with staff advised to adhere to reduced working hours and utilize established cooling stations for relief.
“We are actively engaging resources to manage this crisis effectively,” added J.M. Samuel. “Flexibility in our work arrangements and the provision of cooling stations are vital steps towards maintaining a comfortable environment amidst these challenging circumstances.”
Efforts to rectify the situation have been underway, with technicians from the system manufacturer engaged to oversee necessary installations and software updates.
Despite the temporary suspension of elective surgeries, the BVIHSA remains resolute in its commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare services to all residents of the British Virgin Islands.
Health
AC Challenges Lead to Temporary Suspension of Elective Surgeries at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has temporarily suspended all elective surgeries at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, with only emergency procedures being accommodated due to concerns regarding the air conditioning (AC) system.
The hospital is currently grappling with a temperature control issue stemming from a software malfunction in the AC chilling unit, causing erratic cooling cycles. The BVIHSA has reassured the community of its efforts to address this technical challenge and requests patience during the resolution process.
Efforts are underway to rectify the situation, with the engagement of the system manufacturer and the procurement of necessary parts and software. Upon their arrival in the territory, a technician from the manufacturer will oversee the installation process.
As a consequence of these AC-related complications, adjustments to hospital services are inevitable to ensure the comfort and well-being of patients, visitors, and staff. Additionally, modifications to pharmacy outpatient services have been implemented, requiring medication orders to be submitted via WhatsApp or refill requests via phone for next-day pick-up between specified hours.
The BVIHSA extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused by these service alterations and assures the public of its commitment to swiftly resolve the issue. Despite these challenges, the authority remains dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to all residents of the British Virgin Islands, expressing gratitude for the community’s understanding and cooperation during this period of adjustment.
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