The Ministry of Health and Social Development, through the Environmental Health Division, has taken another step toward strengthening the Territory’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats by convening a Port Health Stakeholder Engagement Meeting.
The meeting brought together key agencies responsible for safeguarding the Territory’s points of entry, including representatives from H.M. Customs, the Department of Immigration, the BVI Airports Authority, the BVI Ports Authority, and the Department of Disaster Management.
The session served as a collaborative forum to strengthen inter-agency coordination, clarify roles and responsibilities, and enhance preparedness for public health events at ports of entry.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of an effective Port Health system in protecting public health, facilitating safe travel and trade, and strengthening national emergency preparedness.
“As a Territory that depends heavily on tourism and trade, our ports of entry serve as critical points of connection with the rest of the world. They are also important points of protection,” the Minister said. “Effective Port Health systems enable us to identify risks early, respond appropriately, and reduce the potential spread of communicable diseases and other public health threats.”
He further emphasized that strengthening Port Health is not only a matter of regulatory compliance, but a core component of national resilience.
“Public health risks do not respect borders,” he added. “Our ability to respond effectively depends on strong partnerships, clear communication, coordinated action, and a shared understanding of each agency’s role in protecting the health of our Territory.”
During the meeting, participants reviewed the Territory’s existing Port Health programme and examined strategies to enhance disease surveillance, public health risk assessments, emergency communication systems, traveller health management, and inter-agency coordination.
Several priority areas for improvement were identified, including contingency planning, isolation facilities, emergency communication protocols, staff training, and joint simulation exercises aimed at strengthening response capabilities.
The Environmental Health Division indicated that it will continue working closely with partner agencies to strengthen the Territory’s Port Health Contingency Plan, enhance emergency preparedness, and expand stakeholder engagement to include additional agencies involved in border health protection.
Honourable Wheatley reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring that the Virgin Islands remains prepared to respond to emerging public health threats.
“Strengthening our Port Health capacity strengthens our national resilience,” he said. “Through continued collaboration, planning, and investment in our people and systems, we are building a stronger, safer, and more prepared Virgin Islands.”