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'Please consider a career in the medical field' – Hon Vincent O. Wheatley

- urges locals @ opening of new Nurse Iris O'Neal Medical Centre
Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) issued a call to Virgin Islanders to consider joining the growing medical field. Photo: VINO
As promised by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, the new Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda opened on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
As promised by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government, the new Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda opened on Thursday, February 20, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL), right, during his message in observance of Nurses Week 2019 on May 6, 2019 said Government is committed to supporting nurses, and providing the resources they need to deliver professional, compassionate, high-quality health services to meet the needs of residents on each island. Photo: GIS/File
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL), right, during his message in observance of Nurses Week 2019 on May 6, 2019 said Government is committed to supporting nurses, and providing the resources they need to deliver professional, compassionate, high-quality health services to meet the needs of residents on each island. Photo: GIS/File
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Moments before the new Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre opened on Thursday, February 20, 2020 in Virgin Gorda, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) issued a call to young Virgin Islanders to consider joining the growing medical field.

Since taking office, the Virgin Islands Party-led administration has been pushing for locals to receive first preference to obtain jobs.

The Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) is currently leading the charge on an employment initiative, dubbed: 1000 jobs in a 1000 days. So far, many locals have secured employment in various sectors.

Hon Wheatley said to those gathered at the ceremony: “I want to encourage our young persons here to consider careers in the medical field. This beautiful building here was built for you. We want to see technicians, dieticians, nurses, doctors and we can go on and on. Please consider a career in the medical field.”

He said with the new facility, “there is an expectation of outstanding service, efficient service, friendly service, and above all, reliable service.”

He also encouraged all to lead healthy lifestyles.

“I wish to encourage everyone to adopt a healthy lifestyle so that your visits here would be few and the durations short,” he remarked.

Attracting young people to Nursing

Early last year, the Government of the Virgin Islands had said it was committed to drawing more young persons to the profession of nursing.

Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL) during his message in observance of Nurses Week 2019 on May 6, 2019, said Government is committed to supporting nurses, and providing the resources they need to deliver professional, compassionate, high-quality health services to meet the needs of residents on each island.

“This includes creating opportunities for nursing education and continuous professional development, expanding efforts to attract young people to the profession, and enhancing the appeal of the Virgin Islands as we compete with other jurisdictions for highly skilled healthcare professionals.”

6 Responses to “'Please consider a career in the medical field' – Hon Vincent O. Wheatley”

  • question (21/02/2020, 09:53) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    To get more knock about?
  • answer (21/02/2020, 11:00) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Both you and I had to start somewhere. We were not the best at it but today we can look back and say it was worth it. It's hard work is what pays off. Let's not discourage our youngsters, they can achieve great things this territory must thrive and must do so with them at the forefront of our minds. Together we can achieve.
  • asking for a friend (21/02/2020, 11:37) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    For they to be paid peanuts?
    • wow (21/02/2020, 18:30) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      You’ll ever wonder why some of you’ll keep repeating the same thing over and over? You’ll blame everyone else but yourselves!! Try being positive for once
      • doc (27/02/2020, 06:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Who in the kitchen feel the heat. you stay there on the side taking nonsense from people and don't speak out. Fair is fair. treat the locals right. Give them the benefits and allowances they deserve. Learn the difference between being negative and being FAIR.
  • Charley Rose (22/02/2020, 05:02) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I must congratulate the government of the Virgin Islands for delivering the Nurse Iris O'Neal Medical complex to the people of Virgin Gorda. It is a beautiful facility and I do hope many of our young people will be attracted to the medical profession.
    I do hope that some of the students from the secondary schools who are doing community services will be given an opportunity to observe the different procedures at the Medical Complex and develop a likeness to medical profession. Some parent should encourage their children as well to pursue science subjects rather business because there are lots of opportunities in the science fields.


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