Residents of the Virgin Islands have answered the call to contribute financially and assist with the outfitting of the New Nurse Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda.

A pledge programme was launched on the Sister Island on October 26 to raise funds to purchase equipment for use at the health facility. At the end of the day’s activities, $87,510 was raised and was added to funds previously pledged arriving at a grand total of $512,510.00.

Pledges of $50,000 were received from the Rotary Club of Tortola, $10,000 each by Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, Ninth District Representative, Honouable Hubert O’Neal and Medicure Pharmacy.  The amount of $5,000 was pledged by the estate of Sharon Grimes and $1,000.00 from Shaina Smith.

Additional pledges were also made by persons including Lindsay Pereira, Petrona Smith, Patsy Mathurin, Elatunbi Adeogba and anonymous donors.

Chief Executive Officer at the BVI Health Service Authority (BVIHSA) Mrs. Paula Chester Cumberbatch said, “We were pleasantly surprised by the outpouring of support given to the pledge today as we seek to improve healthcare services across the Virgin Islands.  We encourage persons to give to the New Nurse Iris O’Neal Pledge Fund because we all have a role to play when it comes to health and health care.  It’s our community, it’s our health.”

Mrs. Cumberbatch added, “Right now we need a little less than one million dollars to outfit the first floor of the Medical Centre.  A community united towards the same cause is a force to be reckoned with and I know that this pledge programme will reach its target of 1.5 million dollars and we will be one step closer to delivering improved health care services for the people of Virgin Gorda.”

Chair of the BVIHSA Board, Mrs. Ayana Liburd said previous contributions were also made by Larry and Lucy Page, and David and Pam Johnson in the amount of $150,000 each, and Road Town Wholesale Ltd. in the amount of $125,000.

Persons interested in contributing towards the legacy and improvement of health care services on Virgin Gorda can contact the BVI Health Services’ Marketing and Communications Unit at 852-7655 or email nlettsome@bvihsa.vg.  Persons on Virgin Gorda can also collect and fill pledge forms at the clinic and donate to the programme.

BVI Health Services Authority is committed to delivering excellent, compassionate, client centered healthcare across the Territory.