Health Minister ends tenure as OECS Council of Ministers Chair

Health Minister Vincent Wheatley has concluded a one-year term as Chair of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Council of Ministers: Health.

Over the past year, his leadership has focused on strengthening preventive healthcare strategies and improving the efficiency of pharmaceutical procurement across OECS Member States.

Wheatley is currently in Dominica, attending the 37th Pooled Procurement Service (PPS) Policy Board Meeting and the 10th OECS Council of Ministers: Health. During these meetings, he will officially pass the chairmanship to Cassanni Laville, Dominica’s Minister of Health, Wellness, and Social Services.

Reflecting on his tenure, Wheatley said mental health literacy among youth, prevention of non-communicable diseases, investigative medicine, and building resilience in healthcare to confront climate change were also critical areas on the agenda.

Looking to the future, Wheatley expressed hope for significant strides in regional healthcare. “I envision a Caribbean where cancer rates are significantly reduced, non-communicable diseases are on a steady decline, and where HIV, Tuberculosis, and Cervical Cancer are eradicated. I also see a future where mental health awareness is prioritised across all our communities. These goals may be ambitious, but they are certainly attainable—particularly if we continue investing in preventive healthcare,” he added.

Wheatley acknowledged that these ambitious goals would require substantial resources but expressed optimism about achieving them through the OECS’s pooled procurement initiatives. He stressed that continued collaboration between Member States would be crucial for success.

The theme for this year’s meeting, ‘Beyond Borders: Breaking Barriers and Empowering Change in Healthcare Access and Delivery’, resonated deeply with the outgoing Chair. “Access to healthcare, and more importantly quality healthcare, is a cause that I will continue to champion in my role as Minister for Health,” Wheatley affirmed.

As District Representative for Virgin Gorda and Anegada, Wheatley noted the unique healthcare challenges faced by residents of these sister islands. “I am acutely aware of the challenges we face and even more cognisant of the importance of replicating the infrastructure and services across multiple inhabited islands to ensure access to healthcare for all our citizens,” the Health Minister said.

Wheatley was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Tasha Bertie. The meetings, which run from October 7 to 11, aim to strengthen regional collaboration and secure the support of development partners in improving healthcare access and delivery across the OECS.