The Virgin Islands is taking a significant step toward modernizing its health sector with the recent hosting of an Information Systems for Health (IS4H) workshop.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Social Development in collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), brought together a diverse group of stakeholders for a multisector consultation.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, emphasized the timeliness of the workshop, aligning with the ministry’s ongoing efforts to develop the Territory’s health sector. Attendees included officers from various ministries, the BVI Health Services Authority, the National Health Insurance, the Social Security Board, and members of the IS4H statutory board.
A Holistic Approach to Health
Honourable Wheatley underlined the wide-reaching impact of health on every sphere of life in the Virgin Islands. He stated that the determinants of health span multiple sectors, from education and planning to policy and social services.
“The health system consists of providers across public health, primary health care, secondary and tertiary health care in both the public and private sectors, and overseas,” said Honourable Wheatley. “The information to measure the performance and impact of the health system resides not only within the health sector but also in vital statistics, security, and development sectors.”
Digital Transformation Goals
The workshop highlighted PAHO’s principles for digital transformation in health, which aim to enhance health systems through the IS4H methodology. Key objectives include:
- Universal connectivity to ensure seamless communication between systems and access to critical information.
- Equity promotion within the healthcare system.
- Accelerating progress toward digital health to maximize its benefits.
- Implementing sustainable and interoperable health information systems.
- Integrating human rights into all aspects of digital transformation.
- Fostering global cooperation for health security and improvement.
- Ensuring confidentiality and data security in digital health.
- Providing real-time, accurate data to support public health practitioners and decision-makers.