VG residents assist after Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic floods

- latest incident renews call for roof to be repaired

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Flood waters on the floor of Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic in Virgin Gorda on Monday, November 4, 2024. Residents sprung into action to assist with the clean up. Photo: Facebook/JTV Channel 55

Mrs. Shereen D. Flax-Charles, former legislator, Virgin Gorda resident and community advocate said the roof of the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic needs speedy repairs to mitigate flooding. Photo: Facebook

Minister for Health and Social Development and District Nine Representative Hon Vincent O. Wheatley said in the House of Assembly on October 18, 2024, funding for the repairs to the roof of the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic was approved and is being prioritised by the Ministry of Finance. Photo: YouTube

VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI- Flooding that occurred at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic in Virgin Gorda on Monday, November 4, 2024, saw residents spring into action to assist with the cleanup.

Heavy rainfall over the weekend, a leaking roof, and a poor drainage system at the clinic reportedly caused the flooding.

Community spirit in action

Mrs Shereen D. Flax-Charles, a former legislator, Virgin Gorda resident and community advocate, told JTV Channel 55 on Monday, “I really want to commend at this time the residents of Virgin Gorda for answering the call for wet vacuums that are able to pull the water out.”

She added that the Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority Board Mr Ron R. Potter and CEO Dr June M Samuel were also quick in responding after being reached out to.

Following the clean up and the clinic being allowed to dry out, it was opened to the public offering all of its services.

Roof repairs need

Speaking on behalf of the Virgin Gorda community, Mrs Flax-Charles said the recent flooding highlights the need for speedy repairs to the roof.

“It is essential that funds are sought and appropriated for the repair of the roof of the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic and wherever else in the healthcare system throughout the Territory that needs repairs...that it is essential that funds are appropriated for such.”

While flooding in the sister island is not new, as Mrs Flax-Charles said she herself saw some water entering her own home due to the heavy and continuous rainfall, she insisted that a medical facility such as the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic should be “watertight”.

Funds approved for repairs

Meanwhile, Minister for Health and Social Development and Ninth District Representative Hon Vincent O. Wheatley said in the House of Assembly on October 18, 2024, “Funding for the repairs to the roof of the second floor was approved in the most recent Supplementary Appropriations passed in this House.”

Hon Wheatley said that the repairs are currently being prioritised by the Ministry of Finance and it is expected to be “initiated in the coming weeks”.

He added that these roof repairs to the second floor will also facilitate the expansion of services offered there.

8 Responses to “VG residents assist after Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic floods ”

Anything possible (05/11/2024, 09:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
I wonder if that was built in a dry ghut?
smh (05/11/2024, 09:55) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
At what point does it stop falling on the community to fix? Should it not be the contractor coming in to fix what are obvious faults in the construction in the first place?
Good Faith ? (05/11/2024, 10:14) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
While I commend this effort , it’s hard to credit any genuine intention here when every step taken seems to be another chance to undermine. If it were really about the people, then where was the voice when it was exposed – loud and clear – where the National Health Insurance funds were being funneled? Not a word. Not a peep from those who call themselves the guardians of fairness and accountability. That story was perhaps one of the most commented on VINO with the community outraged at how the system is rigged to benefit a few at the expense of a many. But the "committee" was nowhere in sight .That non response is all thats needed to understand their motivation.
Deh Watcha (05/11/2024, 10:39) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
Roof repairs already on this "young" building that went up so "fast"??
concern (05/11/2024, 12:28) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
Nonsense, why a brand new building having roof issues .. why the government not suing the contractor to fix it ..
Hmmmm (05/11/2024, 13:05) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
No roof issue cause that water on the building ahyo stop run ahyo fingers typing crap.
tony (05/11/2024, 16:44) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
the question should be why is the government not going after the contractor to fix the problem.
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS (05/11/2024, 19:26) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
IS SAYING C )> THE PRINCE OF VG ) WHA ALL-YO EXPECT , TO JUST SIDDOWN ON YA'LL BACKSIDES AND THINK WE THE GOVERNMENT GUINE DO EVERYTHING FAH AL-YO ❓️ / /\\_ ( * THE PRINCES , AM SO GLAD THAT I GOT FROM THAT FSKE AND THE REST OF YHOSE PRETENDERS , I CAN FINALLY BREATHE FREELY AGAIN , THANK U LORD

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VG residents assist after Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic floods

8 Responses to “VG residents assist after Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic floods ”

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