Though encouraging BVIslanders overseas to return home to contribute to the healthcare system, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Irad Potter made it clear that the importation of labour will remain crucial for many years to come.
“The truth is that, for many many years to come, we will never be able to have enough local persons to serve all of the labour force needs of the territory,” he declared this week during the “Speak Out BVI” radio programme.
“Within health, there will be a need to have doctors, nurses, radiographers and other health personnel from other countries come to work with us.”
Dr. Potter further stated that the BVI should understand that it will take time to build on the specialties that should be accessible within the territory.
It will also take more time for more BVIslanders to be prepared for certain crucial positions.“Until we are able to have all of those persons trained up with nationals, we fully well understand that we will have to continue invite other people to come and live among us, and work, and provide the needed services,” Dr. Potter further said.
Echoing a call already made by the BVI Health Services Authority, he underscored the importance of trained BVIslanders returning home to contribute to the health service.
“We also have had a programme to train nurses and doctors, and to have a programme for encouraging young BVIslanders who go into medicine and nursing to specialize in needed fields – health specialties – to come back home in the BVI.”
