The Ministry of Health and Social Development has secured a grant from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) supported by Direct Relief. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The $250,000 grant is intended to assist the VI in developing and improving the health infrastructure, effectively addressing health challenges associated with climate change. Photo: GIS

The grant, supported by Direct Relief, was secured under the Enhancing Health Infrastructure and Resilience Project (EHIR), a press release from the ministry on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, revealed. 

The two hundred and fifty thousand dollar grant is intended to assist the VI in developing and improving the health infrastructure, effectively addressing health challenges associated with climate change.

Access to critical resources

The grant will also be used to procure standby backup power for the VI’s public healthcare infrastructure, cold chain strengthening, and medical oxygen generation.

Through the grant, generators will be installed at six select health centres, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Ms Tasha K. Bertie, said. 

“With the installation of backup power systems, we can ensure the reliable continuity of primary healthcare infrastructure during and after significant disruptions or short-term power outages,” she said. 

The ministry also intends to upgrade the cold storage and refrigeration infrastructure to guarantee the safe storage of vaccines, pharmaceuticals, blood products, and other temperature-sensitive medical supplies, Ms Bertie added.

Oxygen generation plant

She also said the grant will help to ensure adequate redundancy and reliability of medical oxygen supplies at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.

“By installing an oxygen generation plant at the facility, the project will reduce reliance on imported oxygen, thereby ensuring a consistent and sustainable supply of medical oxygen for patient care, particularly for those suffering from respiratory illnesses during emergencies or disasters,” Ms Bertie explained. 

This project is anticipated to conclude by the end of April 2025. 

OECS Secretariat and Direct Relief Representatives will visit the VI at various intervals during the implementation of the project.