In a recent Facebook post, VI Youth Parliament member and 7th District Community and Youth organizer Kevon S. Lettsome made a public appeal to 7th District Representative and the Government of the Virgin Islands to swiftly reopen the Rosalind Penn Health center in the district.
Lettsome began by thanking health care professionals saying, “Firstly, my thoughts and prayers are with the healthcare workers and frontline staff across the territory who put themselves and their families at risk to keep the Virgin Islands safe. We continue to rely on your strength during these times and for that, we thank you.”
Healthcare facilities in 7th and 8th Districts
On the matter of the Healthcare facilities within the 7th and 8th Districts Lettsome stated, “On August 1st 2019, the Seventh District’s lone health centre reopened since the devastating hurricanes of 2017. This was a tremendous milestone for the residents of the district who face many health challenges.
However, over the last few months the healthcare centre was closed and as I move throughout the district, it is painfully obvious that no one can explain the reasons behind the closure. From a recent announcement from health officials we now know the Omicron variant is present in the Virgin Islands so we must find ways to ease the burden on the Iris Penn Smith Health Centre in East End by reopening the Rosalind Penn Health Centre in District Seven as soon as possible.”
“This is not fair to the districts”
Further appealing for some resolve, Lettsome stated, “The burden of two heavily populated districts cannot fall on ONE health centre whose healthcare needs range from family planning, immunizations, chronic medical and ambulatory care. It is not fair to the district nor is it fair to the healthcare professionals.
On August 1st 2019 at the reopening of the Health Centre the main theme was demonstrating a commitment to delivering care to the community by meeting their needs at their doorsteps. I am now appealing to the Seventh District Representative Honourable Natalio Wheatley to find the resources and take care of our district, in keeping with the commitments made by his colleague. We need the Deputy Premier of this territory to step up for us.”
On December 14th the BVIHSA last issued a statement on the closure of one of the clinics in East End/Long Look, stating, “The British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is informing the public that the Iris Penn Smith Clinic was closed on 12th December and will remain closed until 31st January, 2022. During this closure all services in the eastern area will be offered at the Rosalind Penn Health Center in Long Look.”
Residents then responded to that statement via our website stating that the Rosalind Penn Health Center which the BVIHSA was referring persons too was also closed at that time.
One resident said, “Rosalind Penn Health Center has been closed all week as well. Does anyone have any info? Hospital switchboard could not assist.”
To date no update has been provided by the Minister of Health or the District 7 Representative. Our newsroom reached out to the BVIHSA who confirmed that the Iris Penn Smith Clinic is now open, while Rosalind Penn Clinic is now closed.