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Medical evacuation from remote areas must be prioritised- Hon Wheatley

Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has highlighted the need for medial evacuation from the sister islands to be a priority. Photo: GIS/File
The lack of proper medical evacuation facilitates and procedures for persons on the sister islands have long been a concern for affected residents. Photo: VINO/File
The lack of proper medical evacuation facilitates and procedures for persons on the sister islands have long been a concern for affected residents. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has highlighted the need for medial evacuation from the sister islands to be a priority.

Hon Wheatley was at the time giving remarks following his swearing-in at the Fifth House of Assembly at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on May 18, 2023.

His comment also came on the heel of the tragic boat accident on Anegada on May 17, 2023.

“Madam Speaker, before I go on, I want to extend sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones recently, particularly the young man from Virgin Gorda who lost his life in the Anegada waters last evening.”

Police said the boat crashed into the ferry dock at Anegada and that the two occupants of the vessel were thrown forward and sustained injuries to their upper bodies. The men were transported to the Dr D. O. Smith Hospital, however, Bakima George subsequently died of his injuries.

It is unclear how long it took for George to be evacuated and receive proper medical attention.

“It is indeed very tragic and one of the challenges that we must prioritize immediately, that is, medical evacuation from the remote areas of the BVI, whether Anegada, Jost van Dyke, or Virgin Gorda,” Hon Wheatley stated.

VI partnering with UK Health Security Agency

Meanwhile, the Minister for Health and Social Development said his Ministry is currently conducting an assessment of the Primary Health Care System to strengthen and improve the delivery of health care in the Territory.

He said the Ministry has partnered with the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) who are currently in the Territory holding several meetings with a wide range of stakeholders from the public and private healthcare sectors and voluntary and community groups involved in and impacted by primary healthcare.

“Madam Speaker, I had the opportunity to meet with the representatives of the UKHSA on Monday where I was able to advocate for special consideration to be given to Sister Islands and their specific challenges, and to ensure that Primary Health Care Services meet the needs of people across the entire Territory,” Hon Wheatley shared.

16 Responses to “Medical evacuation from remote areas must be prioritised- Hon Wheatley”

  • WEW (21/05/2023, 13:01) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    I remember when they where talking about a helicopter to be based in the park across from the hospital. Again, all talk
    • yea (21/05/2023, 14:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      The helipad is still there.if the army used it then we could but those that want to use it for other purposes will say the wind is too high.
  • north side (21/05/2023, 13:08) Like (10) Dislike (11) Reply
    I so happy flax Charles is history
  • Concerned (21/05/2023, 13:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The US Coast Guard refused to use that Helipad. Why?
  • @ THE VG PRINCE ???? (21/05/2023, 13:31) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    SO YOU TOOK THE PRINCESS WHY ???? OF VG TO SCHOOL , IN THE LAST ELECTION ???? / BUT WHERE WAS THIS BRILLIANT IDEA ?
    ???? / AND WHY YOU HAD IT HIDDEN ? IMSTEAD YOU AND THE COACH ACTED LIKE CHICKEN HAWKS ON YHOSE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO WORKED HARD AND HONESTLY AND WAS TAXED , YOU BOTH FOUND THE HEART TO USE MONEY GRAM AS AN EXCUSE TO TAX THOSE SAME PEOPLE AGAIN , WHILE YOU ALLOWED THE EMPLOYERS WHO IS NOT CONTRIBUTING THEIR ( FAIR ) SHARE OF TAXES TO THE SAME GOVERNMENT YOU CLAIM TO REPRESENT , WHO YOU THINK YOU FOOLING ? YOU NEED TO BE IN HOLLYWOOD , WITH YOUR AVE
  • Priotiies (21/05/2023, 14:11) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    I bet a medivac helicopter operation would be cheaper than that elevator yall bought for the admin building...
    • Funny (21/05/2023, 17:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      then you live in a different world, standby helicopter would cost more than 3 times that per year and that doesn't include the actual flights
  • Honestly (21/05/2023, 14:14) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    This matter should be taken very seriously and should be handled ASAP. People that lives in the remote areas is at risk in the event someone is in need of urgent medical care and there is no way to get to the mainland. DAMNNN, BY THE TIME MEDICAL GET TO YOU, YOU ARE DEAD OR DANM NEAR HALF DEAD.
  • R. Fonseca (21/05/2023, 16:30) Like (24) Dislike (1) Reply
    Anegada residents need they own ER, matter of fact a small Anex with ER, beds for atleast 5 patients, and yes an ambulance, A doctor and one or two nurses Sunday to Sunday, Jost van dyke the same, let's stop playing with people life's, those folks pay taxes too!
  • jobs (21/05/2023, 19:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yrs yes jobs is paramount first there several persons trained as EMTs hire them and do some cross training to help work in the ER in VG and help inthe clinics of JVD and Anegada let fire do what their job and EMTs do the life saving the BVIHSA need to hire at lease 6-8 EMTs to replace who leave and leaving before end of June stop the foot draging there all y our people and stop this oh I was the person to put this course on at collage and be the I am the one who hire them let get the ball rolling Mr Minister of Health work for your money one BVILOVE
  • vi (22/05/2023, 06:22) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
    Still can't wrap my mind around this waste of time back in power when he was in labor he did a bunch of crap and now he is in health good luck
  • EASIER SAID THAN DONE (22/05/2023, 07:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    IF THEY CANNOT EVEN FIX THE ROADS / SEWERAGE ETC ON THE MAIN ISLAND , HOW IS THST GOING TO HAPPEN , UNLESS YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES / I BET YOU WON'T SEE THOSE ACTORS & ACTRESSES OR THE CHRISTIAN COUNCIL SITTING IN THE STREET TO PROTEST ABOUT THAT , ELECTION DONE NOW , SO THEY DON'T
    CONCERN ABOUT WHO DEAD , ITS ( R I P ) AND KUMBAYA
  • Local (22/05/2023, 08:12) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Here he is in the news paper with a big smile on his face.
    He just love the spotlight boy.
  • 3rd world country (22/05/2023, 11:05) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    To me its crazy that we had 2 Million plus for renting barge and 8 Million for hiring pointless UK lawyers but neither our hospital nor police own a helicopter.
  • Now That You Gone (22/05/2023, 13:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They coming with words of hypo-crosses.


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