While continuing to urge residents to live healthy lifestyles and do all they can to avoid ever needing cardiology, hematology, oncology, neurology and pulmonary care, health officials lauded a partnership that they said will provide more of this type of specialist care to BVI Health Services Authority patients beginning tomorrow. 
The agreement for the partnership was signed in February, but a ceremony Friday marked the launch of the “formal affiliation agreement” between the Puerto Rico-based HIMAHealth and the BVIHSA, said Petrona Davies, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development.
Premier Dr. Orlando Smith said the partnership is fitting because of the “symbiotic” relationship between the Virgin Islands and the PR. While many VI residents travel to PR for a shopping weekend, PR residents often weekend at VI yacht clubs, he said.
“We’re not borrowing, but rather creating a modern partnership that will be both beneficial to the lender as to the receiver,” Dr. Smith said. “This partnership that we are building today will allow a range of specialised medical services to be offered from the government-supported health services provider.”
See the March 21, 2013 edition for full coverage.