No medical school for new Hospital, says Health Minister
Speaking to members of the media yesterday, June 7, 2012 during a walkthrough of the hospital, the Minister for Health and Social Development disclosed that the vacant floor will be occupied eventually, with one option being to provide services in plastic surgery.
However, the previous Government of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP), had proposed to house a medical school on one of the floors at the new hospital, and when questioned about this prospect, Hon. Skelton stated, “There was no talk about a medical school during my six months in office. It will not be an option...and I don’t see it being an option in the future because eventually as BVI develops this facility will take over whatever is happening at the old facility.”
On June 29, 2010, the then VIP Government inked a contract with Effect Incorporated, a US based consultancy firm, to carry out the consultancy work associated with evaluating existing medical schools and advising the Government on possible medical schools suitable for establishment in the Territory. Government had coughed up $551,922 for the study.
At that press conference, the then Minister for Education and Culture Andrew Fahie had stated that the Government will not own a medical school but rather it will be privatised. He had also announced that all eligible VIslanders would benefit from scholarships given.
And at this year’s Standing Finance Committee, Hon. Skelton pointed out if a medical school is properly established in the Virgin Islands, more persons would be involved in the health care of the Territory and legislation “can also be amended to accommodate it”.
At the SFC, he had also stated that in the future when inquiries are made regarding medical schools to be established in the Territory, he would determine what those persons would require from the Government to establish a school.
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