With the present momentum in Anguilla to fast-track the modern development of our health sector, there is much reason for hope not only for us who are alive today, but for our coming generations. Our energetic Minister of Social Development and Health, the Honourable Evans McNiel Rogers, needs to be highly commended for his pioneering vision to substantially improve the delivery of health – and in the process employ the use of modern technology towards that end.
Mr. Rogers is certainly not acting in a one-man show, but is galvanizing the collective professional skills and expertise of Health Authority of Anguilla personnel along with the involvement of appropriate consultants outside the island. The Minister’s ambitious drive takes into account the financial outlay and investment that his wish list for the health sector will require. He has therefore taken on the Herculean task of sourcing the necessary funding – whether through outright begging, philanthropic grants or other forms of donations.
Anguilla and its people have endured a most backward and therefore inadequate health system leading up to the 1967 Revolution – even to the point that the availability of a medical doctor was often a serious challenge. However, almost fifty years later, our delivery of heath has improved significantly in terms of facilities, physicians and level of healthcare. A matter for great pride is that, among the cadre of dedicated doctors and nurses from outside the island, are a number of well-qualified Anguillian physicians serving at our hospital and clinics – with some of them having established their own private practices offering both general and specialist services. Notwithstanding all of this, there is an urgent need for the Anguilla Government to further develop our national health sector and this is where Minister Rogers is evidently leading the process head-on.
What is now imminent for Anguilla, largely though his efforts, is some ultra-modern medical equipment including a new CT Scan Machine costing in the region of US$500,000 – more than half of which the Minister has so far raised through appeals largely in Anguilla. A health professional in his own right and training, his next ambition is the pursuit of a modern 60-70 room health complex to be built along the lines of Health City Cayman – hopefully within the current term of the Government of Anguilla. In fact, a high-level team, from Health City Cayman, was in Anguilla this week discussing the proposed project and looking at possible sites.
The Anguillian Minister of Health has already swung into action. He is working towards the establishment of Healthcare Partners incorporated in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada – in an effort to obtain the needed funding through donations from wealthy visitors coming to Anguilla who, in turn, can claim tax relief benefits from their home-based Inland Revenue systems.
There has been much development of our physical infrastructure over the years, but probably less attention has been paid to social development. Our upscale tourism industry, and the rising numbers of visitors we continue to expect, demand that our healthcare facilities and services be on par with our economic growth and the requirements of our tourists. It is one thing to develop our infrastructure. It is another thing to adequately service it. Correspondingly, a good health sector will ensure a good future for Anguilla – for the care and protection of our coming generations and those visitors who continue to grace our shores.
