Three local public health officials from the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit were recently commended by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for their role in ensuring the successful completion of coding mortality data in the BVI from 2011 to 2020.
They are National Epidemiologist Dr. Harmonie Brewley-Massiah, Andrea Bowen and Alice Abraham.
The commendation came directly from CARPHA’s Executive Director Dr. Joy St. John who said the BVI over the 10-year period has been coding using the International statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD 10) standard.
She said, “The completion of this initiative is a great milestone for the country and is one which few of our Member States have achieved.”
“Despite its small size, limited and navigating the pandemic, the team persisted long hours and has achieved its goal,” Dr. St. John added.
The Executive Director also said that CARPHA will remain committed to supporting the Government of the Virgin Islands, adding that she is looking forward to the two entities partnering to commence the analysis of the mortality data.