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BVIHSA launches medical partnership with Puerto Rican Group

- HIMAHEALTH touted as part of health reform programme by Hon. Skelton
Legislators strike a pose with officials of the BVIHSA and HIMAHEALTH of Puerto Rico. Photo: VINO
During his remarks at the launch ceremony, Premier Dr the Hon. D. Orlando Smith described the relationship as being special and symbiotic. Photo: VINO
During his remarks at the launch ceremony, Premier Dr the Hon. D. Orlando Smith described the relationship as being special and symbiotic. Photo: VINO
 Secretary of State for Puerto Rico, Lieutenant Governor Honourable David Bernier disclosed that,
Secretary of State for Puerto Rico, Lieutenant Governor Honourable David Bernier disclosed that, "These are the kind of agreements we want to be signed. They are the ones that have immediate positive impact and benefit for both countries.” Photo: VINO
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Mrs Darlene Carty Baptiste, this collaboration is critical to our future. Photo: VINO
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Mrs Darlene Carty Baptiste, this collaboration is critical to our future. Photo: VINO
Executive Vice President for HIMA•San Pablo Group, Armando Rodríguez, Esq expressed that it was not often that you can find cooperation in health care. Photo: VINO
Executive Vice President for HIMA•San Pablo Group, Armando Rodríguez, Esq expressed that it was not often that you can find cooperation in health care. Photo: VINO
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton said the relationship will improve the Territory’s health care services to its people adding that it will allow the Authority to provide specialist clinics and emergency services. Photo: VINO
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton said the relationship will improve the Territory’s health care services to its people adding that it will allow the Authority to provide specialist clinics and emergency services. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience during the launch of the partnership between the BVHISA and HIMAHEALTH at Peebles Hospital yesterday, March 15, 2013. Photo: VINO
A section of the audience during the launch of the partnership between the BVHISA and HIMAHEALTH at Peebles Hospital yesterday, March 15, 2013. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Ties between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were strengthened yesterday, March 15, 2013 with the official launch of a partnership between the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) and HIMAHEALTH during a ceremony held at Peebles Hospital.

During his remarks at the launch ceremony, Premier Dr the Hon. D. Orlando Smith described the relationship as being special and symbiotic. “We Virgin Islanders travel through Puerto Rico to make many connections throughout the world as well as to seek medical attention and to shop and to sometimes vacation,” Premier Smith said.

He also pointed to large numbers of Puerto Ricans coming to the Virgin Islands to vacation, invest and to participate in the annual Yacht Club regatta. Premier Smith also stated that the partnership was an example of the latest frontier that furthered the ways neighbouring countries should live.

According to Dr Smith, the benefits of the partnership were two-fold – one being that the level of services would rise to meet the aspirations and needs of the people of the Virgin Islands in addition to an expressed confidence in Virgin Islanders and visitors among us.

“As a doctor, ” he said, “this partnership makes me optimistic; as a resident, this partnership makes me comfortable; and as a Premier, this partnership makes me proud.” Premier Smith also added that he was a physician first and politician after.

Secretary of State for Puerto Rico, Lieutenant Governor Honourable David Bernier disclosed that, "These are the kind of agreements we want to be signed. They are the ones that have immediate positive impact and benefit for both countries.” He also added that the quality and high technology standards of our health care services are our best asset to help us open many doors in the region.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Mrs Darlene Carty Baptiste, this collaboration is critical to our future.

She noted, “The future of the BVIHSA depends a great deal on our human capital, and definitely enhancing the quality of our services through this partnership is WIN-WIN. We have recognised that this is not something that the BVIHSA can do alone and with HIMAHealth as a partner we are positioning ourselves to not just meet the demands of our clients, but to exceed them.”

“As we launch this partnership today,” she continued, “I encourage the BVI to embrace the possibilities of the bright future ahead of us.”

“The first clinic starts next week Friday and we welcome our clients from the Virgin Islands. Imagine, no more travelling overseas, no more TSA check points, no more long drives, taxis, and booking of hotels to access medical care. Anyone who seeks hematology/oncology, pulmonary, nephrology, and neurosurgery care can do so right here at Peebles Hospital,” she said.

Executive Vice President for HIMA•San Pablo Group, Armando Rodríguez, Esq expressed that it was not often that you can find cooperation in health care. As a matter of fact, he said, in Puerto Rico you don’t find it at all. For Mr Rodriguez, the partnership was one of access but this was only half the battle.

“One of the sad parts that we have discovered throughout the years that we have been working with the Health Authority,” he stated, “is that access prevents us from being able to offer the latest treatments to the people of the BVI.”

He added that this was the first step to reaching out in a first phase in telemedicine that will allow the group to offer treatment and a standard of care that would bring the necessary tools for the practitioners here to offer to patients. More phases are expected to follow. “There is a lot more that we can do together,” he added.

Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton said the relationship will improve the Territory’s health care services to its people adding that it will allow the Authority to provide specialist clinics and emergency services.

“There has been and will continue to be an ongoing cry for better health care services at Peebles Hospital,” said Hon. Skelton, “today we are pleased to offer the assurance that health reform is on the way.”

HIMAHEALTH is a service provided by Grupo HIMA•San Pablo, a privately-funded hospital group with hospitals in the areas of Caguas and Bayamon, Fajardo and Humacao that mainly cater to patients from the Caribbean region and United States mainland.

HIMAHEALTH hospitals are fully accredited by the Joint Commission, and their facilities are staffed with world-class physicians possessing backgrounds from some top U.S. hospitals including Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins University Hospital, and Memorial Sloan-Kattering Cancer Centre among others.

The launch ceremony was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health and Social Development and BVIHSA.

29 Responses to “BVIHSA launches medical partnership with Puerto Rican Group ”

  • rattie (16/03/2013, 09:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is good news how ayo say NDP aint doing ah ting but thiefing?
    • tell the truth (16/03/2013, 11:41) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      This must not be allowed.

      The BVI has trained medical staff, here and overseas. every one of them should be offered the opportunity to apply for jobs at our Hospital before a single member of HIMAHEALTH or exisiting staff be allowed to come here
      • @ tell the truth (16/03/2013, 13:07) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Dont be silly...the new hospital needs probably and extra 100 trained doctors and medical staff....where would you find them in the BVI???

        • Know your facts (16/03/2013, 14:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          You are simply out of touch with reality, for when the Representative for the Third District asked Hon. Minister Skelton how many Doctors will it take to staff the new Peebles Hospital, he said 32, and when he was asked how many Doctors were currently on staff at the current hospital, he said 33.

          That means that we already have 1 doctor too many, so we don't need any 100 extra doctors.
          • @Know your facts (16/03/2013, 16:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
            And he went on to explain that some of those "green" doctors would need to specialize, and some would later be deployed to community clinics.
            • NDP paid blogger (16/03/2013, 17:06) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
              tell them man tell um
              • Typical (16/03/2013, 18:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
                No need to get paid to tell the truth. Not everyone is consumed by negativity or have the green gravy train mentality.
  • . (16/03/2013, 10:58) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    How many bvislanders came back from puerto rico hospitals alive??
  • critic (16/03/2013, 11:02) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    See one termer archie trying to be in thing sah
    • yes we can (16/03/2013, 17:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

      Dat ole sometimeish speak r@$Z will be gone too after the next election...hahahaha hehe

  • Village Girl (16/03/2013, 11:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Puerto Rico have world class facilities...BVI has a below class hospital...the problem is people’s love ones might die before the PR doctors arrive
    • parent (16/03/2013, 11:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Heart attack, cancer and stroke, it ain't no joke.
    • big bird (16/03/2013, 13:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Village gril Even if that were true, which is almost entirely false, can you not understand the potential benefits from the hospital collaboration with Health care professional from PR to this country?
  • --------------- (16/03/2013, 11:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    For pulling this off i would have to be given the NDP credit but the proof is in the eating,.. After two years let’s see some statistics of if BVI health care has improved following this big signing….
  • one eye roster (16/03/2013, 11:31) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank you HIMAHEALTH!!!!!

    • @ one eye roster (17/03/2013, 06:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      yad yada yada...you is starting to sound like Pope and look how that turned out.

  • Fat Head (16/03/2013, 11:35) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    The public never had a say in the matter.

  • dem say (16/03/2013, 11:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Medical Tourism? Good luck!

  • Cr**k (16/03/2013, 14:39) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Deloris won't be around after the next election either
  • expatriate (16/03/2013, 15:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Shut u all mouth up the NDP is trying was the a VIP?
  • voter (16/03/2013, 16:39) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    was this tendered?
    Were discussions held with any other providers so that the BVI could get the best deal.
    was this another single provider negotiation with no consultation?
    No matter which P (ND or VI) the same difference
  • farmer brown (16/03/2013, 17:08) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    So they throw a local Allred Frett under the bus and hired an expat firm from PR, who cannot even speak English...the BVI has become hopeless
  • Yes (16/03/2013, 18:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Alred? Lmbao!!! That was a good one. You could always go to him for your medical care.
  • one day (17/03/2013, 21:17) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am not sold on PR doctors, they seem not to care a whole lot about BVI Landers. I addition, are they really going to send their best and brightest to us??? Why don't we follow the example of USVI and go out and hire the best and brightest, pay them a great salary introduce them to the islands and the lifestyle they can enjoy. This can lead to health tourism the end would justify the means. Win win situation...
  • chad (20/03/2013, 19:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    They need to bring in some competent hospital management to stop the continued financial waste and buffoonery at BVIHSA.

    Somebody also need to do an investigation on what kind of bonuses they paying to their inept executive team at tax payers expense


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