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Health Minister Hon Vincent O. Wheatley to attend OECS Meetings in St Kitts & Nevis

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) will attend the 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Human and Social Development and the inaugural meeting of the Joint Council of Ministers: Health, Human and Social Development and Education in St Kitts and Nevis. Photo: GIS/File
The meetings will be held from September 10-11, 2024, under the theme 'Regional Development and Sustainability through Quality Education and Social Empowerment'. Photo: OECS
The meetings will be held from September 10-11, 2024, under the theme 'Regional Development and Sustainability through Quality Education and Social Empowerment'. Photo: OECS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) will attend the 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Human and Social Development and the inaugural meeting of the Joint Council of Ministers: Health, Human and Social Development and Education in St Kitts and Nevis.

The Minister will be accompanied by Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Miss Tasha K. Bertie. The meetings will be held from September 10-11, 2024, under the theme “Regional Development and Sustainability through Quality Education and Social Empowerment”.

Honourable Wheatley will participate in a Caucus with Regional Ministers and other high-level meetings. The Health Minister has also been invited to co-chair the Joint Meeting of Human and Social Development and Education Ministers in his capacity as Chair of the 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Health.

The Health Minister said the areas of education, social development, and health are critical pillars of national development, especially in Small Island Developing States like those in the OECS region. As such, this Joint Council of Ministers will be essential, as some of the brightest minds in the region come together to discuss strategies on how to align and strengthen these sectors.

'We can effectively address the complex challenges'- Hon Wheatley

Honourable Wheatley stated in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on September 8, 2024, that, “In the Caribbean, especially the OECS region, the synergy between ministries and sectors is not just important; it’s essential for sustainable growth. Each sector, whether focused on health, education, or social development is critical in our society.”

The Minister for Health added, “When they work together, we can harness their collective strength, bridging gaps and building a foundation for resilience. Through these types of collaboration, we can effectively address the complex challenges our region faces and ensure a brighter and more sustainable future for our people.”

Objectives of OECS meetings

The 9th OECS Council of Ministers: Human and Social Development’s main objective is focusing on sharing innovative ideas in social empowerment through peer engagement to boost development at national and regional levels. It also aims to align strategies for social development, review the Social Inclusion and Social Protection Action Plan (2023–2030), and gain support from regional agencies for more adaptive social protection measures.

The Joint Council of Ministers: Health, Human & Social Development and Education will focus on aligning health, social development, and education strategies with key regional plans, including the OECS Education Strategy and the "Fort-de-France Declaration on Health."

The council will also be tackling regional challenges by sharing solutions among Member States and encouraging collaboration between ministries to create joint policies for sustainable development. Additionally, it seeks to harmonise systems across the region to improve access to quality education, social, and health services.

While Honourable Wheatley is away from the Territory, Dr the Honourable Karl Dawson (R1) will serve as the Minister for Health and Social Development.

16 Responses to “Health Minister Hon Vincent O. Wheatley to attend OECS Meetings in St Kitts & Nevis”

  • Lilly (10/09/2024, 16:05) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why is he attending these meetings and when he returns he does not know how to apply anything that they discussed. I think he needs to sit in his office and read and conduct research on how to improve health care in the entire BVI.
  • vG Native (10/09/2024, 16:24) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    Don’t come back when you get there. Try get your residency there. Please and thank you.
  • Money for travel (10/09/2024, 17:45) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    No money for urgent care..that’s how it works
    • to money for travel (11/09/2024, 09:34) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are so correct. There is no cry for funding for travel, but they don't have money to put in the healthcare system to improve the lives of the people. They have money for what they wanna have money for
  • Smith (10/09/2024, 17:54) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    Poor fella,he doesn't have a clue of what health is about. He is going down to waste the tax payers money..
  • What a waste (10/09/2024, 19:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I will drink to that!
  • Virgin gorda home (10/09/2024, 19:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    He don't know one thing about health care poor thing
  • LOL (10/09/2024, 21:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    When he see how the bush nah run tings along the road and you can stay on your side of the road..cause pot hole nah run tings..y'all ting.Enjoy some tree mutton and come home.
  • This is not working. (10/09/2024, 22:30) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why not send the head of BVI HSA. Why it always have to be a politician, ? it doesn't work..In 2 yrs he will no longer be the health minister or a minister period...
  • Quietly Watching (11/09/2024, 01:35) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now, this is a little disconcerting to me. The Premier is away; the Deputy Premier is away; the Leader of the Opposition is away; Honourable Penn is away; now Honourable Wheatley and Honourable Decastro? Who is running the country? Honourable Rymer all alone? Well, we really up a creek without a paddle. If there is a major issue in this country, where are our representatives? Like I tell my teenager, focus, Representatives. Focus on running the country. Stop checking and focussing on what next travel opportunity is there to attend.
  • Really sad! (11/09/2024, 06:34) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on now man. These people are taking us for fools now man. In the middle of us crying out to him about the serious and dilapidated conditions and challenges with our healthcare system, he decides to take a trip. No, man, this is a real slap in the faces of the people of the BVI, especially VG, based on the circumstances. How inconsiderate can you be? And you telling me that no one is there to advise him not to travel at this time. Where is his PS? We, the people of VG, requested a follow-up on the current matters that affect us, and instead of making us a priority, he is traveling. This says a lot. I hope the people of Virgin Gorda taking notes.
  • HMMM (11/09/2024, 06:56) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I thought he said the other day that he was going to fight to get funding for Virgin Gorda’s health services. He didn’t mention that his junket to St. Kitts comes first. How is that helping him get the funding? What assurance is there that his assertion isn’t more hot air?
  • Take care of home (11/09/2024, 09:00) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does OECS deliberately meet every couple months at a different country? They met here some time ago. What are they going to talk about that they haven't addressed already. What have they done with the info from the last meeting. All these island leaders just making sure there will always be a reason to travel at the expense of the public purse and yield nothing to benefit the people

    Of all the conferences VW attended he still need to go St John to see how they deal with medical issues and getting to St Thomas. Sir please fix VG and the BVI health care disaster. We have an emergency right here. Sickness don't care who it hits. BVI people have been so prejudice that they think it's only the island people will meet a crisis so nothing to worry about. Now it has hit hone, the urgency is an outcry. This country need to get it together
  • coco (11/09/2024, 12:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why is this man still in this position. Surely we can do better.
    I’m sick to the back teeth of our beautiful country being run into the ground with decades of corruption and jobs for the boys.
    I’m now thinking we do need help from the Uk to educate the people who are doing such a terrible job.
  • Speak for yourself (12/09/2024, 10:45) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply

    A lot of you does be on here speaking this and speaking that full well knowing that if you'll was in the same position you'll can't and won't get sh!* done! Periodt!! We as people need to give them the benefit of the doubt. Instead of pulling people down, let's ask them to elevate themselves and let them know we as the people of the Virgin Islands are holding them accountable and we are waiting for the CHANGE!! A little goes a long way. Just my two cents....



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