Hon Malone made the announcement during yesterday’s November 15, 2022, Eighth Sitting of the Fourth Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom. His statement was in response to questions from Opposition Member Hon Carvin Malone (AL).
According to Hon Penn, securing adequate technical and professional staffing for the BVI Health Services Authority continues to present a challenge as the VI still has to compete with the rest of the world to not only recruit but also retain well-trained and motivated staff.
“Several countries have resorted to offering significant inducement, including increases in compensation and benefits, and immigration incentives in order to recruit from the market, that has shrunk considerably since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He said in response to those complex challenges, the BVI Health Service Authority has therefore put a number of steps in place, including entering into an agreement with the Cuban Health Authority for the extended deployment of a limited number of positions, specialists and nursing staff for the next year.