Local News
Virgin Islands Mourn the Loss of Healthcare Pioneer, Mrs. Rita Frett-Georges, MBE
The Virgin Islands are in mourning following the passing of Mrs. Rita Frett-Georges, MBE, a trailblazer in the healthcare sector and a pivotal figure in the evolution of mental health care in the Territory. The Premier of the Virgin Islands, Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley, led the tributes, expressing deep sorrow at the loss of a community stalwart whose contributions to healthcare will be remembered for generations.
Mrs. Georges, who held the distinction of being the Territory’s first psychologist and mental health/psychiatric nurse, played a transformative role in advancing mental health services. After furthering her education overseas, she returned to the Virgin Islands to establish the Community Mental Health Programme in 1972, an initiative that brought much-needed follow-up care to patients within the community. Her leadership emphasized preventative, continuity, and rehabilitative care, elements that helped the programme gain recognition as a model system by the Pan American Health Organization.
“She was a visionary leader and a passionate advocate for mental health care,” said Dr. Wheatley. “Her influence on healthcare, especially in the mental health sector, has left an indelible mark on our community.”
Mrs. Georges was instrumental in founding the Mental Health Association in 1975 and was a mentor to countless nurses across the Territory. Many nurses recall her as a pivotal figure in their careers, often crediting her with providing them their start and encouraging further education and professional development. As Chief Nursing Officer from 1987 to 1994, she played an active role in regional and international nursing organizations, including the Caribbean Nurses Organisation and the International Council of Nurses, where her advocacy helped elevate the standards of nursing care in the Virgin Islands.
A stalwart in nursing and healthcare, Mrs. Georges served as a founding member of the BVI Nurses Association, where she held several key positions, including president and secretary. Her involvement in the Caribbean Nursing Association further solidified her reputation as a leader and advocate for nurses in the region, steering local nursing practices towards greater effectiveness and professionalism.
Mrs. Georges’ influence extended beyond the Virgin Islands, as her work and advocacy opened numerous doors for nurses locally and abroad. Her efforts to obtain membership in the International Council of Nurses ensured that nurses from the Territory could benefit from global advancements in the field. Colleagues describe her as approachable, deeply caring, and steadfast in her commitment to patient care and higher education.
Even in retirement, Mrs. Georges remained connected to the field she loved, taking a keen interest in ongoing developments within nursing. Her legacy also includes contributions as an editor and writer for various government publications, where she documented the history and progress of healthcare in the Virgin Islands.
Mrs. Georges’ impact on the Virgin Islands was profound and far-reaching, touching lives locally, regionally, and internationally. She is remembered as a dedicated public servant whose work was driven by a passion for excellence and compassion for others.
The Territory extends its heartfelt condolences to her children, Noni and Kamau, her granddaughter, Eden, her siblings, and the extended Frett and Malone families.
Mrs. Rita Frett-Georges’ legacy will endure, her name forever etched in the history of the Virgin Islands as a pioneer in healthcare and a champion for mental health and nursing excellence.
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been elected by acclimation as a Vice Chair of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC), a subsidiary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). This decision was confirmed at the 30th Session of the CDCC held on September 11, 2024.
The election results designate Trinidad and Tobago as Chair, Saint Lucia and Jamaica as Vice Chairs, and Saint Kitts and Nevis as Rapporteur. Senior ECLAC officials, including Executive Secretary Mr. Jose Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs and Director of the ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for the Caribbean, Mrs. Diane Quarless, were present at the session.
In its new role, the BVI will assist the Chair, represented by the Honourable Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development of Trinidad and Tobago. The BVI will support the CDCC’s programme of work for 2024-26, focusing on advancing the Caribbean’s sustainable development and climate resilience under the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Additionally, the BVI will lead a new Working Group established by CDCC resolution to enhance UN system collaboration on providing assistance to ECLAC Associate Members, aiding their sustainability, resilience, and development.
During the CDCC session, Special Envoy Mr. Benito Wheatley, in his capacity as BVI Representative to the UN in Latin America and the Caribbean, assumed the role of Vice Chair. He also participated in the 8th Meeting of the Caribbean Development Roundtable (CDR) from September 9-10, ahead of the CDCC session.
Mr. Wheatley expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “We are humbled by the trust and confidence placed in the British Virgin Islands by ECLAC, the UN system, and the CDCC membership. It is an honour to represent the BVI on this crucial committee that supports the sustainable development and economic transformation of the Caribbean. We look forward to working collaboratively with the CDCC Bureau, committee members, and development partners to advance the subregion.”
The BVI has been an Associate Member of ECLAC since 1984 and joined the CDCC in 1985. The CDCC, established in 1975, aims to facilitate the cooperation and development of the Caribbean subregion.
A significant shift occurred within the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Board when Health and Social Development Minister Vincent O. Wheatley requested the resignation of Chairman Ron Potter.
The reasons for this request remain unclear, and it has not yet been confirmed whether Potter has complied. Potter, who was appointed Chairman in 2023, succeeded Moleto A. Smith, a U.S. Virgin Islands resident who was also reportedly compelled to step down.
The Cabinet’s decision to remove Smith and appoint Potter was formalised in a document from the Cabinet’s meeting on March 8, 2023. At that meeting, the Cabinet decided to appoint Potter, a former Chairman of the BVI Electricity Corporation, to lead the BVIHSA Board for a three-year term, pending approval by the House of Assembly.
Smith’s removal, which took place before the end of his contract set to expire in July 2024, was not fully explained. The Cabinet cited Schedule 1, Section 3(1) of the BVI Health Services Authority Act 2004 as the basis for Smith’s removal. This provision allows the Minister of Health to remove a board member if they have been absent from three consecutive meetings without consent, become disqualified, unable to fulfil their duties, or breached their appointment conditions.
Further details about the potential changes at the BVIHSA remain undisclosed, and no official statement has been issued regarding the matter.
His Majesty’s Customs recognised the achievements of its K9 Unit and their handlers during a graduation ceremony earlier this week, celebrating both newly trained and veteran team members in their efforts to enhance border security.
The ceremony honoured handlers Olympia Maduro-Fahie, B’Jorn Caleb, and Shavique Barzey for their dedication and success. The K9s acknowledged included Gunner, who has been recertified, and two newly trained dogs, Ace and Duece.
Acting Commissioner Greg Romney highlighted the event, held on 11 September, as a significant milestone in the department’s ongoing effort to strengthen and rejuvenate its K9 Unit. “The Department of Customs is pleased to announce the rebirth of our K9 Unit,” Romney said. “This unit plays a crucial role in our fight against the importation of illicit goods. We are committed to disrupting any channels that threaten our border security.”
Romney emphasised that the addition of Ace and Duece, alongside the recertified Gunner, significantly enhances the unit’s operational capabilities. “With these advancements, all K9s are now impeccably trained and fully prepared to bolster the effectiveness of Customs operations,” he added.
Financial Secretary Jeremiah Frett also praised the unit’s expansion, noting that the newly trained dogs would enhance the department’s ability to protect the territory’s borders. “These highly trained K9 officers are specifically bred to detect contraband, narcotics, explosives, and assist in human apprehension,” Frett stated. “Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect substances that are nearly impossible for humans to identify.”
Frett expressed gratitude to “Pure Dogz” for their role in training both the dogs and their handlers, ensuring that the K9 Unit is prepared to serve and protect. The rigorous three-week training programme, led by Instructor Keron Pole of Pure Dogs K9 Services, covered both theoretical and practical elements, with a focus on narcotics detection and bite apprehension.
His Majesty’s Customs reaffirmed its commitment to securing national borders and supporting lawful trade by enforcing import regulations and preventing the entry of illicit goods.
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