Residents of the BVI are reminded of the End of Life and Health Estate Planning Lecture scheduled for Wednesday, March 16.

The lecture will address estate planning, palliative care and issues surrounding care for persons who are terminally ill that may affect their spirituality, mental health and social well-being. 

Facilitator Reverend Guillermo Escalona will make a presentation on the subject of Death, Dying and Grieving. He explained that death and dying should not be feared as they are as un-avoidable as birth. 

He said, “From the time we are born we become death eligible. Even though we are wired to live, the reality is that we will not be here forever.”

The Reverend stated that when persons are facing life limiting and life threatening illnesses, they are visited by anticipatory grief and thoughts of mortality present themselves.  He added that spirituality, the need for hope, purpose, meaning and the power of a person greater than the circumstance is often sought.

The lecture is expected to provide the public with information, knowledge and skills on some of the issues that arise around end of life and some of the actions that can be taken to reduce stress and strife during that time.

Reverend Escalona said the session will also provide attendees with very helpful and clear factual information with reference to end of life, palliative care and symptom management. “We will be intertwining the spiritual dynamics, social issues, emotional perspective and also the medical clinical,” Reverend Escalona said, adding, “It will be a very thorough and complete exposition of all that is involved in the care of patients and families at the end of life.”

The End of Life and Health Estate Planning Lecture will take place on Wednesday, March 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Training Division Conference Room located  in the Betteto Frett Building upstairs of Little Switzerland. 

The Lecture will also showcase Senior Partner and Head of Chambers at McW Todman & Co, Mr. Terrance Neale, who will speak on estate planning and Dr. Zulmarie Ortiz Rivera will give an overview on palliative care.

 The lecture is being hosted by the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the BVI Health Services Authority and Baptist Health International.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to improving the health of the people of the Virgin Islands.