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 healthcare system in the Virgin Islands is facing mounting challenges, including leadership vacancies, unpaid workers and staff shortages, according to concerns raised during the May 5, 2026 broadcast of Honestly Speaking with Claude Skelton Cline, titled “We Will Not Be Fooled Again Pt. 4.”
During the program, Claude Skelton Cline said the absence of a confirmed chief executive officer and board leadership has contributed to instability at the BVI Health Services Authority.
He said some healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, have gone unpaid for extended periods, prompting some to leave the territory for better opportunities.
“We have doctors and nurses … who have not been paid … and they have been pulled away in private hospitals and elsewhere because better compensation packages are being offered,” he said.
He also pointed to vacancies in key governance roles, including the expiration of terms for board members without replacements, raising concerns about oversight and decision-making.
He said the combination of staffing shortages and administrative gaps is affecting the delivery of healthcare services and warned that the system could deteriorate further if the issues are not addressed.
The BVI Health Services Authority manages public healthcare services in the territory, including the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital.
Officials have not publicly responded to the concerns raised.
The British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has restricted vehicle access to the main lobby of Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital due to ongoing heavy equipment operations in the facility’s main parking lot.
Access to the main lobby is currently limited to foot traffic. Members of the public, including those with limited mobility, are being directed to use the Major Peebles Wing, also known as the Old Peebles Hospital, for entry.
The parking lot closure has also reduced available parking near the hospital. BVIHSA said permission has been granted for staff and visitors to use the open lot located opposite the Government Complex.
The authority said the work is expected to continue for approximately two weeks, barring unforeseen delays.
In a statement, BVIHSA apologized for the disruption and advised the public to follow all posted signage and instructions from on-site personnel.
The agency said the measures are necessary to facilitate ongoing work at the site while maintaining access to hospital services.
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
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