AGP Executive Report

Cancer Support: The BVI Cancer Society says it receives the lowest government subvention among non-profits, despite rising demands from patients and families. President Gloria Fahie says the group relies on fundraising and a committed team to keep assistance going. Waste and Health: Health Minister Vincent Wheatley says the Pockwood Pond incinerator will be repaired and another, larger unit procured. Residents have been seeking relief from smoke as the site’s waste problems raise environmental and health concerns. Health System Funding: A flexible funding model is proposed for the BVI Health Services Authority as part of broader reforms to healthcare financing, NHI, governance and care delivery. NHI Contributions: Employers, self-employed people and other defaulters can apply for the Social Security and NHI amnesty, which may waive penalties and surcharges; the programme ends December 31. Dengue Testing: A local lab has begun testing for dengue, ending waits of one to two months for results in the Virgin Islands.

NHI and Social Security: Minister Vincent Wheatley is urging employers, self-employed people and other contributors with arrears to use the amnesty programme, which runs through Dec. 31. Eligible applicants may have penalties and surcharges waived; approved payment plans require a 20% deposit. Health System Funding: Wheatley says the BVI Health Services Authority is being considered for a more flexible funding model as the Territory faces rising healthcare costs, more chronic disease and an ageing population. Regional Support: Wheatley and Permanent Secretary Tasha Bertie joined OECS ministers to discuss stronger social protection, including disability inclusion, child protection and care systems. Care and Testing: The Health Ministry is moving toward a prosthetics referral arrangement with Trinidad. A local lab has also begun dengue testing, replacing waits of up to two months for results.

Regional Social Support: Health Minister Vincent Wheatley and Permanent Secretary Tasha Bertie joined OECS ministers in St Vincent to discuss disability inclusion, child protection and stronger support for vulnerable communities. BVI Health Services: Wheatley says the government is considering a flexible funding model for the BVI Health Services Authority as part of wider reforms to improve healthcare financing, accountability and care. Specialist Care: The ministry is working toward a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre, which can provide assessment, fitting and rehabilitation for people who have lost limbs. Dengue Testing: A USVI report highlights the value of local testing: results that once took one to two months now arrive in under a week, helping patients and health officials respond sooner. Budget Priorities: Premier Natalio Wheatley is set to deliver the 2027 Budget Address on Tuesday; health is among the government’s stated development priorities.

BVI Health Reform: Health Minister Vincent Wheatley says the BVI Health Services Authority could shift to a flexible funding model as the Territory tackles rising healthcare costs, an ageing population and more chronic disease. Planned reforms also include strengthening National Health Insurance and modernising health information systems. Prosthetic Care: The Ministry is working toward a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre for BVI residents who have lost limbs. The centre can produce some prostheses within hours, with fitting as soon as the following day. Dengue Testing: A USVI report highlights the value of local diagnostic capacity: during the 2024–25 outbreak, test results that once took one to two months arrived in under a week after local testing began. The outbreak recorded 263 confirmed cases and one death.

BVI Health Funding: Health Minister Vincent Wheatley says the Government is considering a more flexible funding model for the BVI Health Services Authority, amid rising healthcare costs, an ageing population and more chronic disease. Proposed reforms also cover National Health Insurance, oversight and integrated care. Dengue Readiness: Florida has reported its largest locally acquired dengue outbreak since the 1930s, with hundreds of cases this year. A U.S. Virgin Islands outbreak showed the value of local testing: results that once took one to two months came back in under a week after testing began locally. Prosthetics Access: The BVI is pursuing a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre, which can make some limbs within hours and fit patients as soon as the following day.

BVI Health Funding: Health Minister Vincent Wheatley says a flexible funding model is being proposed for the BVI Health Services Authority, as the territory faces rising healthcare costs, an ageing population and more chronic disease. The wider reform effort also includes strengthening the National Health Insurance programme and modernising health information systems. Dengue Watch: Florida has reported its largest locally acquired dengue outbreak since the 1930s, with hundreds of cases and many patients hospitalised. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, local testing cut dengue result times from one to two months to less than a week during the 2024–25 outbreak, which recorded 263 confirmed cases and one death. Specialist Care: The BVI is exploring a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre, which can assess, make and fit prosthetic limbs, potentially as soon as the next day. Clinic Update: BVIHSA says oxygen was available when a patient in respiratory distress died at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda; the Authority says claims that oxygen was unavailable are not supported by the facts.

Dengue Watch: Florida reported 425 locally acquired dengue cases across 11 counties by Oct. 17, the state’s highest outbreak in decades. The rise is a reminder to stay alert to mosquito-borne illness across the region. BVI Health Reform: Health Minister Vincent Wheatley says a flexible funding model is proposed for the BVI Health Services Authority, as the Territory works on sustainable financing, stronger governance and more integrated care. Prosthetic Care: The Health Ministry is pursuing a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre, which can provide assessment, fitting and rehabilitation for people who have lost limbs. Local Testing: During the BVI’s 2024–25 dengue outbreak, tests sent overseas took one to two months; local testing cut turnaround to under a week. The outbreak involved 263 confirmed cases and one confirmed dengue-related death. Virgin Gorda Clinic: BVIHSA says oxygen was available when a patient in respiratory distress died at Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic, disputing claims that oxygen shortages caused the death.

BVI Health Funding: Health Minister Vincent Wheatley says the government is considering a flexible funding model for the BVI Health Services Authority as part of wider reforms to improve sustainable financing, accountability and integrated care. Dengue Alert: Florida has reported its largest locally acquired dengue outbreak since the 1930s, with 368 cases across eight counties as of Oct. 15. Nearly half of patients required hospital care, underscoring the need for vigilance across the region. Faster Testing: During the US Virgin Islands’ 2024–25 dengue outbreak, patients waited up to two months for test results before a local lab began testing; results then took less than a week. The outbreak included 263 confirmed cases and one death. Clinic Concerns: BVIHSA says oxygen was available when a patient in respiratory distress died at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda, rejecting claims that a shortage caused the death. Prosthetics Access: The Health Ministry is pursuing a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre, where some patients can receive a fitted limb as soon as the day after assessment.

Health System Reform: BVI Health Minister Vincent Wheatley says a flexible funding model is being considered for the BVI Health Services Authority, as the Territory pursues broader reforms to healthcare financing, governance and care delivery. Prosthetic Care: The Ministry is exploring a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre for residents who need prosthetic limbs, including assessment, fitting and rehabilitation. Clinic Update: BVIHSA says oxygen was available when a patient in respiratory distress died at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda; the Authority offered condolences and asked the public to respect the family’s privacy. Dengue Testing: In the U.S. Virgin Islands, local testing cut dengue result wait times from one to two months to under a week during the 2024–25 outbreak, which included 263 confirmed cases and one confirmed death.

Hospital Funding: The U.S. Virgin Islands is proposing $250 million in bonds to address overdue bills and financial pressures, including $85 million for its two hospitals. Institutions receiving funds would need five-year financial plans. Health Workforce and Specialist Care: The USVI is planning a November agreement with Ghana to recruit nurses and teachers, though numbers and employment terms are not yet set. In the British Virgin Islands, officials are working toward a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s prosthetics centre for residents who have lost limbs. Dengue Testing: During the 2024–25 USVI outbreak, test results took up to two months when samples had to be sent off-island. A local lab cut turnaround to less than a week; the outbreak caused 263 confirmed cases and one death. Clinic Update: BVIHSA says oxygen was available when a patient in respiratory distress died at Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic, disputing claims that a lack of oxygen caused the death.

USVI Hospital Funding: Gov. Albert Bryan proposed $250 million in bonds, including $85 million for the territory’s two hospitals, to address overdue bills and financial pressures. Institutions receiving funds would need to follow five-year financial plans. Prosthetic Care: The British Virgin Islands is exploring a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre for residents who have lost limbs. BVI Health Minister Vincent Wheatley says some patients can receive prostheses as soon as the day after assessment. Dengue Testing: A CDC report says local testing cut dengue result wait times in the USVI from one to two months to under a week. The 2024–25 outbreak recorded 263 confirmed cases and one death. BVI Clinic: BVIHSA says oxygen was available when a patient in respiratory distress died at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic, disputing claims that a shortage caused the death. USVI Health Workforce: Ghana and the USVI plan to sign a November agreement to recruit nurses and teachers, though numbers and employment terms are not yet public.

Specialist Care: The BVI is moving toward a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre, which can make and fit limbs quickly for people who have experienced limb loss. Clinic Services: BVIHSA says oxygen was available when a patient died at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda, disputing claims that a shortage caused the death. Dengue Testing: A CDC report says results once took one to two months when samples had to be sent off-island; local testing cut the wait to under a week. The 2024–25 outbreak had 263 confirmed cases and one confirmed death. Disaster Readiness: A Royal Navy drone trial delivered more than 240 kilograms of supplies to Jost Van Dyke, demonstrating a potential way to transport medical supplies and emergency stores during a crisis. Water and Food Security: A Third District candidate called inconsistent water supply an emergency, while Premier Natalio Wheatley urged residents and businesses to support local food production to strengthen the Territory’s food security.

Dengue Testing: A CDC report says Virgin Islands patients once waited one to two months for dengue results. Since local testing began in October 2024, results arrive in under a week. The 2024–25 outbreak caused 263 confirmed cases and one death. BVI Health Services: The BVI Health Services Authority says oxygen was available when a patient died at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic, disputing claims that a shortage caused the death. Specialist Care: Health Minister Vincent Wheatley is pursuing a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre for BVI residents who need prosthetic care. USVI Staffing: Ghana and the U.S. Virgin Islands plan to formalize a framework for recruiting nurses and teachers in November; staffing numbers and employment terms are still to come. Prevention: The BVI Wellness Fest on November 7 will offer screenings and health education as the Health Minister warns diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some cancers are burdening the community.

Health Workforce: The U.S. Virgin Islands and Ghana plan to sign a November agreement to recruit nurses and teachers, though staffing numbers, pay and contract terms have yet to be announced. Prosthetic Care: The BVI is exploring a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre, where some patients can receive a limb as soon as the day after assessment. Clinic Services: BVIHSA says oxygen was available when a patient in respiratory distress died at the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic on Virgin Gorda, disputing claims that a lack of oxygen caused the death. Dengue Testing: A CDC report says USVI dengue test results once took one to two months because samples had to be sent off-island; local testing cut turnaround to under a week during an outbreak that caused 263 confirmed cases and one death. Prevention: The BVI Wellness Fest on November 7 will offer screenings, health education and activities as Health Minister Vincent Wheatley urges residents to take steps against diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some cancers.

Prosthetics Access: The BVI is pursuing a referral arrangement with Trinidad and Tobago’s National Prosthetics Centre for residents who have lost limbs. Health Minister Vincent Wheatley says some prosthetic limbs can be made within hours, but the partnership is still being worked out. Virgin Gorda Clinic: BVIHSA says oxygen was available when a patient arrived in respiratory distress and later died, rejecting claims that oxygen shortages caused the death. The Authority did not provide the incident’s timing. Wellness: A BVI Wellness Fest on Nov. 7 will offer health screenings, healthy-eating advice, physical activity and mental-wellbeing support as the Health Minister warns that diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are burdening the community. Food Security: Premier Natalio Wheatley is urging residents to buy local as government invests in agriculture and fisheries, linking stronger local food production with resilience and access to nutritious food.

Clinic Response: The BVI Health Services Authority says oxygen was available at Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic when a patient arrived in respiratory distress and later died. It refuted claims that oxygen shortages caused the death and offered condolences to the family. Food Security: Premier Natalio Wheatley urged residents and businesses to buy locally produced food, linking stronger local agriculture and fisheries to better nutrition and resilience against supply disruptions. Community Wellness: Health Minister Vincent Wheatley warned that diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some cancers are burdening the Territory. The BVI Wellness Fest on November 7 will offer screenings, health education, physical activity and support for mental well-being. Emergency Preparedness: A Royal Navy drone trial delivered supplies, including medical equipment, from HMS Trent to Jost Van Dyke, demonstrating a way to reach hard-to-access areas during a disaster.