ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, January 30th, 2012   – The Ministry of Health and Social Development continues to make strides to strengthen the capacity of the public health system, and broaden the range of health care services delivered locally.

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, along with Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Petrona Davies, recently met with officials of Puerto Rico-based Grupo HIMA San Pablo to explore a partnership arrangement that could potentially lead to HIMA HEALTH services establishing satellite operations in the Territory.

In partnership with the BVI Health Services Authority, HIMA would provide a range of specialist services to the people of the Virgin Islands and neighboring Caribbean islands that are currently only available upon patient transfer to Puerto Rico, or further afield.

Honourable Skelton expressed optimism about the possibilities for capacity building through partnership with HIMA. “We welcome this opportunity to partner with the private sector to procure specialist health care services that are safe, effective, patient-centred and of high quality,” the Minister stated.

“But any partnership arrangement must ensure that we build local capacity to allow our health services to meet the basic needs of the population well into the future,” he added.

HIMA HEALTH is a service provided by Grupo HIMA San Pablo, a privately –funded hospital group with two main hospitals in the areas of Caguas and Bayamon that mainly cater to patients from the Caribbean region and U.S. mainland.

Grupo HIMA has been treating patients since 1978 and has expanded to include four hospitals and more than 1,100 beds, positioning the group as a leader in Puerto Rico’s health care system. HIMA HEALTH offers cutting edge technology with specialisations in cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurology and spine surgery and oncology.

Permanent Secretary Davies explained, “These talks are building on our long term association with the HIMA over several years. Most recently they have provided specialist services in neurology; particularly in stroke management protocol and the training of emergency room physicians at the Peebles Hospital.”

She further explained, “Coming out of the discussions with Mr. Ray Barry, the Florida and Caribbean Representative for HIMA HEALTH, and his team, we have asked them to present a full proposal to address some key objectives: strengthening local capacity in the delivery of health care, including emergency care; expanding the range of specialised services available on island; and providing easier access to these services to neighboring Caribbean islands.”

In further outlining the potential benefits of HIMA HEALTH operations to the Virgin Islands, Minister Skelton added, “Over the long term, such partnerships will help position the Virgin Islands as a medical tourism destination.”

HIMA HEALTH hospitals are fully accredited by the Joint Commission, and their facilities are staffed with world-class physicians possessing backgrounds from some top U.S. hospitals including the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, Memorial Sloan-Kattering Cancer Centre among others.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development endeavours to provide leadership that promotes health, social well being and a safe environment.

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