Road Town, Tortola - The National AIDS Programme in the Ministry of Health and Social Development has partnered with managers in the public and private health sectors to participate as a team in the Virtual Leadership Development Programme (VLDP) conducted by Management Sciences for Health based in Cambridge Massachusetts and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States HIV AIDS Project Unit.

The goal of the programme is to increase the capacity of the local healthcare systems for the development of managers that will lead with a vision of a better future.

The programme, which started on March 5, will run until June 11 this year. An 11 member multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers representing the National AIDS Programme, the HIV-AIDS Foundation, laboratory, pharmaceutical, management, medical specialties, and nursing services are participating in the initiative with their regional counterparts.

Teams are required to identify challenges they face on a daily basis that are preventing them from achieving results. This allows them to immediately apply the leadership and management practices they are learning in the VLDP workshops to their current work situations.

Assistant Coordinator of the National AIDS Programme Mrs. Noelene Levons-Clarke said the forum has allowed for stronger collaboration between local stakeholders and regional management teams.

“This ultimately allows for a more effective integration of our HIV services into the primary care setting as well as implementation of our National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections”, she said.

The Assistant Coordinator added, “This learning programme is a wonderful opportunity for a rich exchange of ideas and experiences that will foster improvement in our healthcare and support systems. I do believe that once we establish systems related to HIV and other STIs, we will be in a better position to improve sexual health in the Territory.”

The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the Territory.