Health Minister gives update on Ministry projects

Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn, OBE, QC can be seen here as she delivered a comprehensive statement during last week’s press conference. Pictured journalists are Zan Lewis of ZBVI Radio (left), Sean Rose of ZKING Radio, and Ms. Aneka Edwards of the Virgin Islands Stand Point Newspaper. Other journalists present represented the BVI Beacon Newspaper and Virgin Islands Platinum News Online. Photo credit: Doron Hodge/GIS.

Honourable Penn announced that the ministry is in the process of appointing a search committee to advise Government on a suitable location for a new senior citizens home. 

She said it is important for the Territory’s senior citizens, who may need to live in a public facility, to be housed within the community. “It is important for their family and members of the community to be able to visit them regularly and have full access to them,” she noted.

As part of Government’s overall effort to improve the services offered to the elderly, the Minister announced that the ministry intends to acquire a vehicle that is specially designed to facilitate the movement of senior citizens, since many of them continue to be active participants in programmes and activities that are held in the Territory.

The Minister also confirmed that the contractor is currently moving towards completing the latter 40 percent of the New Peebles Hospital project. “Although I remain grateful for the progress that has been made, I must reiterate the fact that the overall pace of work continues to be slower than was promised,” she said.   ~~Adz:Right~~

In addition, Honourable Penn announced that tender documents for the construction of an improved medical facility on Virgin Gorda are now being reviewed by members of the Public Tenders Committee. “I expect tendering will be done within the next two weeks, after the Public Tenders Committee has completed its revision,” she told the press.

The Minister also gave an assurance that the residents of Virgin Gorda will be invited to provide input for the design and construction of the proposed new facility. Honourable Penn is hoping that construction work will begin during the course of the coming year.

Meanwhile, she announced that Government is on the verge of appointing a search committee to examine the most suitable location for a polyclinic which is proposed for East End/Long Look and surrounding communities. “I myself, as the representative for the 8th District, have been in touch with individuals in the community seeking to obtain a suitable site,” she told members of the press. The Minister promised to provide further updates on that project as they become available.

Other issues raised during last week’s press conference included a general update on local clinics and community centres, social development, substance abuse, the disabled and persons with special needs, public assistance, gender, cemeteries, and the new incinerator.