SSB DONATING $ 500K TO BVI HEALTH SERVICES AUTHORITY

SOCIAL SECURITY MAKES $500K DONATION TO BVIHSA

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 – To further address the needs arising in the Territory due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Social Security Board (SSB) has donated $500k to the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA).

The donation will assist with the purchase of essential pharmaceuticals, treatments, and testing kits.

In an invited comment, SSB Chairman Ian S. Smith said, “The SSB welcomes opportunities to serve the Territory of the Virgin Islands, both from a social protection and social responsibility perspective.”

He continued, “The organisation is a creature of law that provides various benefits and payments that are legislated.  That said, while there are some initiatives that would require the Board having the legal remit to carry them out, the Board refuses to sit idly on the sidelines when our healthcare system and people are in dire need.”

The Chairman also said the Board is thankful to Virgin Islands residents who “trust the organisation to make responsible investments on their behalf”.

Chairman Smith highlighted that the SSB is a long-standing donor of the BVIHSA. In addition to donating $1.5 million for the purchase of equipment for the D. Orlando Smith Hospital, other contributions include funding towards an Intensive Care Unit, along with the purchase of a CT scanner and an ambulance. In past years, the SSB has also assisted with the purchase of pharmaceuticals.

 The Board also continues to provide annual training and scholarships to local nurses to further the development of the Territory’s nursing programme.

The Social Security Board’s donation to the BVIHSA follows the very recent $25k donation to the Family Support Network. These donations are in line with a longstanding commitment to the Territory, ensuring the Board legally contributes to the community to maintain a level of social protection for all residents of the British Virgin Islands.

###

Download the PDF version here