22 Cuban health professionals arrive in VI tomorrow, July 23, 2020- Premier Fahie
This announcement was made by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) during the 13th Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola on July 21, 2020.
The Virgin Islands has no reported active cases of COVID-19; however, there have been reports that a St Vincent national who lived on Jost van Dyke tested positive for coronavirus on arrival in her home country last week. The entire island of Jost van Dyke has since been placed on complete lockdown for 7 days.
Mandatory quarantine & testing
“This has been long in coming and after their 14-days in quarantine, and after their successful COVID-19 testing, they will join our local medical team to strengthen our resolve in the fight against the coronavirus,” Premier Fahie stated, adding that Government believes in the old adage that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure and that it is better to be proactive than reactive.
He explained that the assistance of the Cubans was requested in an effort to augment the capacity of the team of Health Care professionals currently at the BVI Health Services Authority, to ensure that the Territory is able to deal with any situation which may occur as Government continues the cautious phased re-opening of the borders.
“We are indeed thankful to the Republic of Cuba for responding to the request of the Government of the Virgin Islands by providing this Team of Medical Professionals at this time.
God’s timing
“We anticipate that this effort will assist the Territory in opening up with a greater sense of confidence in the fact that adequate specialised treatment capacity will now be available in the Territory.”
Premier Fahie said the Virgin Islands has a long history of sending persons with serious medical conditions overseas for treatment. “However in the COVID-19 Era, we must re-think the added risk to BVI patients as they travel abroad for treatment, to places where the spread of the disease is on the rise.”
He said even though it was hoped that the medical team from Cuba would have arrived sooner, he believes the timing was God’s as this will assist the Territory in re-engaging with the wider world in a way that is more sustainable.
The assistance from Cuba, Premier Fahie said, was through the assistance of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States OECS and the United Kingdom Government, Director of International Affairs Secretariat in the Premier’s Office, Ms Najan Christopher and her team, and other public service professionals.
He said Cuba has a long history of supporting countries in times of disaster and in dealing with infectious diseases.
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20 Responses to “22 Cuban health professionals arrive in VI tomorrow, July 23, 2020- Premier Fahie”
Be fair
Why are so much doctors coming here if we are covid 19 free.