The BVI Health Services Authority and HIMA Health from Puerto Rico have formally entered into a partnership which is aimed at providing better health care for the people in the BVI.
Health Minister Ronnie Skelton speaking at the official launch at Peebles Hospital said, instead of the people from the BVI having to travel overseas to seek medical attention, this relationship will give the Health Services Authority the ability to provide specialized clinics and emergency services to the people of the territory.
The Minister said it was in January 2012 that officials from HIMA Health met with him in the BVI to form a comprehensive, mutual and beneficial relationship to advance the delivery of health care in the territory.
Following HIMA’s visit he led a delegation to Puerto Rico in April last year to tour their facilities to explore further collaboration with HIMA Health, aimed at further improving the health services in the BVI.
Skelton said during that visit, he was introduced to other services to which the people of the BVI can have access. The Minister said one year later, his efforts have borne fruit and health reform in the BVI is on the way.“…And today, HIMA Health professionals are here and ready to mobilize into our public health care system, there has been and will continue to be an ongoing cry for better health care services at Peebles Hospital, today we are pleased to offer the assurance that health reform is on the way,” the Minister said.
“With the assistance of HIMA Health, we can achieve the goal of strengthening our community clinics and reducing the number of cases that end up in our emergency room at Peebles Hospital. Furthermore, as our HIMA partners establish their medical personnel not only will we expand the number of special services and enhance the community clinics but we will also strengthen our local capacity to specialize mentoring and under study programmes to our doctors and nurses,” he added.
The Health Minister said even though there is progress made in providing better health care services, it is important for him to highlight the importance of prevention and proper management of chronic diseases as part of a complete wellness plan.
