Sister Islands’ residents feel neglected- Sister Islands Unit Report
There has always been the sentiment that the Sister Islands are often neglected by Government and their elected representatives.
This was also highlighted in the January 3, 2023, report titled ‘Medical and Emergency Response on the Sister Islands’ and prepared by the Sister Islands Unit in the Office of the Deputy Governor.
One of the main issues shared by businesses and community members was that there was an "overall neglect" of the Sister Islands but especially in the area of medical care and emergency response.
According to the Sister Island Unit
Report, Virgin Gorda is the only sister island with a daily doctor,
however, they have to be called in at night as one is not stationed on
site around the clock. Only VG has a daily doctor- Report
“Virgin Gorda is the only sister island with a daily doctor; however, they have to be called in at night as one is not stationed on site around the clock. On Jost van Dyke, a doctor visits once weekly or sometimes once every two weeks. On Anegada, a doctor was recently stationed from Fridays to Mondays; however this has now become occasional.
According to the Report, it was noted that residents of the sister islands deserve around-the-clock medical care, which includes doctors permanently stationed at facilities.
It also said resort islands like Oil Nut Bay and Necker Islands, among others, have hired paramedics on island to facilitate any medical challenges that take place.
“They have also shared a lack of trust in the level of care being offered on the main sister islands,” the Report stated.
Among those interviewed in 2022 for the Report obtained by our news centre were Departments, units, and organisations, including the District Officers on each main sister island, Supervisors of Fire and Rescue Department on each sister island, Representatives from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Representatives from Health Services Authority, Business owners – Hospitality-based, VISAR and community members.
