Work on the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital is entering a new phase with the installation of chillers on the roof this week. Photo: Facebook/BVIHSA

Scenes of maintenance work being done on the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital. Photo: Facebook/BVIHSA

A new sign will be erected on the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital following which there will be an official naming ceremony. Photo: RDA

From Wednesday, April 29, 2026, the main lobby parking area of the health facility will be closed to the public, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVI Health Services Authority, Dr June M. Samuel said. 

“Once the cranes are here, this parking lot is going to be closed off completely for access, so we need the public to listen out, to know how they can safely access all of our buildings,” she explained. 

In addition, generator connectivity is being undertaken with the installation of transfer switches, which will, in turn, connect the “whole campus” to one set of generators. 

Dr Samuel said this step is important so that during power outages, there is a smooth transition as it relates to the provision of electrical services for the whole campus. 

“In doing that, what we're doing is we're getting rid of two obsolete generators that were not fully functional, that supported the annex section of the building,” she stated. 

Other works & official naming

Dr Samuel said the building is also undergoing complete maintenance, having been used for many years, and also with the passage of the 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria. 

“So if you come, you will notice that the building is being cleaned, areas where there has been cracks are being repaired, and the whole building will be sealed to make it, and sealing around the windows so that the infrastructure is properly waterproofed. And then, of course, later on, you will see the erection of the new sign, and there'll be the official naming of the building to the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.”

The ongoing works are being done in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Virgin Islands Recovery and Development Agency (RDA). 

“It's part of our overall goal to ensure that we deliver care that is safe, that is client-centred, and within all of our facilities, that the environment is safe for our staff and patients alike.”