The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA ) is the recipient of a donation of two portable ventilators and accessories and 1000 N95 masks courtesy of Banco Popular.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon. Carvin Malone and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Cedorene Malone Smith accepted the donation on Monday January 4. Hon. Malone stated that he was extremely pleased with the corporate responsibility that the bank has shown.
“I would like to thank Banco Popular for their generosity, as they have spared no expense and I look forward to working with them in the future,” he said.
Hon. Malone also took the time to encourage other corporate organizations to partner with Government and the BVI Health Services Authority to invest in the continued development of the healthcare system locally.
The addition of the portable ventilators now gives BVIHA more flexibility to manage patients in less than ideal circumstances. Acting CEO Mrs. Malone-Smith said the ability to do extra with the portable ventilators cannot be overstated.
“If something happens on the sister islands we now have the capacity to move more efficiently with a ventilator, which we didn’t have in the past,” she said. Mrs. Malone-Smith added, “Not only did they donate the ventilators, they gave us enough of the accessories and consumables for 200 patients! So they come ready to go and that is greatly appreciated.”
Meanwhile, Vice President and Commercial Relationship and Credit Manager at Banco Popular Mr. Darren Vanterpool said the Medtronics ventilator is a lightweight, mobile device that provides up to 11 hours of ventilator operation on internal battery power.
Mr. Vanterpool added, “We see this as most beneficial while transporting emergency patients, particularly from the outlying sister islands, to the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital. These devices are regulatory approved by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use and Medtronics will provide training and offer technical support through its regional representative in Puerto Rico.”