Health Ministry finalises social protection policy

After a productive workshop involving key stakeholders, the Ministry of Health and Social Development has announced the completion of the Virgin Islands Social Protection Policy and Action Plan.

The Health Ministry announced the breakthrough in a release yesterday, June 27. Consultation about developing policy plan began in 2021.

Support for the initiative came from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and lead consultant Dr David Cownie of the Social Impact Assessment and Policy Analysis Corporation (SIAPAC).

After extensive research, which included document reviews and virtual consultations, SIAPAC produced a draft policy, action plan and monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework.

In addressing stakeholders, Health Minister Vincent Wheatley stressed that special attention must be paid to the relationship between mental health, climate change and social protection.

“At COP28 2023 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) in the United Arab Emirates, they have a full day dedicated to health, including mental health. So, as we go through the exercise, bear in mind climate change, mental health and social protection. Think of it as one package because each one phases into the other,” the Health Minister said.

According to his ministry, the policy and action plan are expected to serve as a key policy framework for new social protection legislation and supporting institutional arrangements.

The National Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) for the Virgin Islands will be the coordinating body to ensure cohesive policy development and implementation of the social policy.