BVI health system a good example for others, says PAHO consultant

The health system in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is worthy of emulation by other countries in the Eastern Caribbean, according to Dr Peter Crowley, who is the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) advisor on health systems strengthening.

He however noted that there are aspects of the system in the BVI that should be fine-tuned.

“The obligation is not just on the BVI and its people, but the obligation is for you to show others because you are a part of them and you have made advances. So I put a little bit of challenge on the BVI, and that is to guide part of the Eastern Caribbean countries.”

“There are a lot of things that you have done right [and] a lot of things that needs some tune ups, and that is why we are here to work with you and to hear from you,” added Dr Crowley, who is among PAHO consultants who recently participated in a series of consultations for developing a Universal Health Roadmap for the BVI.

The initiative is geared towards examining the current performance of the health system and deriving strategies to further strengthen the range, quality and access of health services across the territory.

According to a release from the Government Information Service, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development Petrona Davies said PAHO has been one of the BVI’s strongest allies in its efforts to improve the health system.