New BVIHSA chair expected to use US connections to improve hospital
Newly appointed BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Chairman, Moleto Smith Jr has a weight of expectation on his shoulders according to Opposition legislator, Julian Fraser.
Smith’s appointment was confirmed before the House of Assembly (HOA) on Thursday, July 29. He is expected to serve in the capacity for a three-year term effective from July 15.
Fraser said while there are several BVIslanders capable of being the BVIHSA’s chairperson, he did not feel that the Health Minister was simply seeking someone to “chair the board”.
Fraser felt Smith was someone, based on his breadth of experience, who has something to offer the BVI internationally.
The veteran legislator said he thought Smith could use his American connections to create strong affiliations with US health services to improve the profile of the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital.
“We have the facility,” Fraser said. “What we need now is the administration, the staffing, and the know-how to make our facility a number one.”
Fraser decried the existing level of service at the local hospital; suggesting that there needed to be certain adjustments, including ones that made the hospital’s systems more friendly. He said Smith is uniquely positioned to make these things happen.
More networks needed
The BVI, Fraser further reasoned, needs more networks, especially ones that allow its healthcare and education system to move and to grow.
“We have got to have that ability, to be able to send our people abroad, whether it’s for a short course or it’s for educational purposes on a long term – we have to be able to send them abroad. And the only way we’re going to do that is through networking,” Fraser said.
He added that the BVI needs to also be able to bring persons into the territory for healthcare improvements through networking as well.
“It need not cost you an arm and a leg to do these things,” Fraser stated.
He felt that even though the BVI is a territory, the United States should have programmes in place to accommodate it.
Fraser said Smith was coming in at a crucial time when the hospital is overtaxed and undermanned, even as staff continue to do their job.
According to Fraser, the BVI’s healthcare challenges are not simple, but the expectations are high.
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This is a joke. Moleto to head BVIHSA? Dear Lord.
why should we, a British territory be relying on american resources?
Because Britain is not helping or simply don’t care. PERIOD
The same Britain that sent us vaccines that we wont use?
Where did the vaccine come from?
Your govt feel the less they can do without any help from UK in any area, the better off they will be. Just the thought of any one UK in BVI scare the heck out your government. So what they do, watch youall die off without proper healthcare just because of their pride. So their new savior is the USVI (or at least that’s what they think). This administration has already done the damage and still doing major damage. Their end is nigh
All these people comes in and take up post are just making a bunch of promises shows up to staff once no follow ups . With people working and havent had a raise of pay for over 10years.
All these people comes in and take up post are just making a bunch of promises shows up to staff once no follow ups . With people working and havent had a salary increase for over 10years.
Hopefully, he will be able to do this. It sickening now, every board promise an increase and never follow thru. I still waiting for my increments from 2010. No explanation whatsoever. Only the executives get raise and the pak(professional a** kissers) that like catty story causing confusion. After that money done. Every time anyone ask for a raise they say no money. It has become their national theme song.
great news our new leader coming from sea cows bay soon
the last American did not work out too well
I THINK WE NEED A RUSSION CONECTION,WILL WORK BETTER FOR THE BVI.
The last chairman who is also an American with connections did not do s**t and he is a doctor working in DC. Stupes!!!!
If you had any clue of the bureaucracy involved in these boards you would take a seat. They get in the chair and realize tis nothing that they thought and can do nothing to improve how we do things. Last chairman was a man of standards. It bvi people who stubborn and think we know all
“America”, just in case you were unaware, Mr. Smith’s dad is from Humtumns Ghut!
He is the cousin of the Commissioner of Customs, Wade Smith. He is the nephew of the late representative, Ms. Ethlyn Smith.
So I dont understand WHY you refer to him as an American.
All Belongers CANNOT live in the BVI!
BVIslanders are an expansive people, who’ve traveled and lived around the globe for centuries!
And there are those of us who are even more proud, when such persons can be tapped to lead agencies in the BVI!
His appointment will bring expert information to the Heath Services Authority, as well as updated regulatory COVID protocols, since his sister, Dr. Marcella Nuñez-Smith, a Yale University Medical School professor, is one of the COVID Drug Czars, that provides regulatory information to the President of the United States, and its people in general!
One of the Mafia families. That explains it.
what a lovely combination of whats going on in the BVI these days / what happened to all the ( PRIDE / RESPECT/ DIGNITY that our FOREPARENTS left US as a GUIDE to FOLLOW .may I r emind you that we all live on the same planet and we came with two empty hands and we will leave with two empty hands / STOP THE HATE
Yes am happy the Board get someone new, to clear up all the taxes and Social Security money they thief form all the staff. The Government need to look into all of those things. Taxes & Social Security monies owed for years upon years and they withdrawn the monies from every staff member that working BVIHSA.
TOO MANY THINGS GOING ON BY THAT HOSPITAL MR. SMITH YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT ALL THE STAFF TAXES AND SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENT TO KNOW IF THEY ARE UP TO DATE. WHEN STAFF APPLY FOR THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY & TAX CERTIFICATES NONE ONE OF TWO CANNOT ADD UP THEM THIEF THE MONIES. THEN THEY BEHAVING LIKE NOTHING HAPPENS AND WHEN STAFF TALK FOR THEIR RIGHTS WE THE STAFF ARE THE BAD ONES.