Dr. Sandra Delon, Director for the Chronic Disease Prevention, Healthy Living, Population and Public Health from Alberta Canada presenting to key officials in the Ministry of Health and BVI Health Services Authority on February 24, 2014. Photo: Adrianna Soverall/MHSD

Dr. Sandra Delon, Director for the Chronic Disease Prevention, Healthy Living, Population and Public Health from Alberta Canada along with Coordinator of Health Promotions Services, Ms. Ivy George and Dr. Alaire Khan-Frazer, Focal Point, BVIHSA met with the Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton and the Chairperson of the Interdepartmental Working Technical Group, Honourable Archibald Christian to discuss the plans on improving care and treatment to persons with NCDs on February 25, 2014.Photo: Adrianna Soverall/MHSD

The epidemic was highlighted as the Ministry of Health and Social Development announces measures being taken to continue to strengthen and improve care, treatment and support for persons living with Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Territory.

In a recent meeting with the Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, Dr. Delon explained their plan which involves a system change to address the treatment of NCDs. Hon Skelton alluded that NCDs are common to the Territory and that this consultancy will aid in providing a roadmap to move forward.

Coordinator of Health Promotions Services, Ms. Ivy George who is the National Focal Point for NCDs along with consultant Dr. Sandra Delon, Director for the Chronic Disease Prevention, Healthy Living, Population and Public Health from Alberta, Canada have been meeting with key officials in the Ministry of Health, BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), Private Physicians, and various health community associations to develop a strategy for strengthening the care, treatment and support to NCDs patients and their families.

Ms. George explained that there were specific tasks to be accomplished during the consultation from February 24 to 28, 2014 that included conducting a gap analysis to determine the appropriateness of the care being received by persons with NCDs; the reviewing of documents including Ministry of Health reports and BVI Health Services Authority reports; and conducting sensitisation sessions for a multi-disciplinary health team with private and public sectors.

She also added that a debrief session would be conducted for senior staff of the Ministry of Health and the BVIHSA. A report of the findings would be submitted and recommendations will be made to move toward using an Expanded Chronic Care Model to improve care of the treatment of persons living with NCDs.

The Ministry of Health and the BVIHSA have recognised the need to improve their services to persons with NCDs. Hence, Dr. Alaire Frazer has been appointed as the focal point at the BVIHSA. Additionally, an interdisciplinary committee to oversee the improvement and integration of the care of patients with NCDs has been established to work with the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development provides leadership that promotes health, social well-being and a safe environment as positive resources for healthy living.