In the coming weeks the Health Authority of Anguilla (HAA) will be embarking on perhaps the most significant undertaking in its short history. Chairperson of the Board, Dr. Phyllis Fleming-Banks, put this into perspective when she addressed the opening ceremony of the Third Quarterly Review meeting on October 26 at Paradise Cove Resort.

Health Authority and Department Heads

“It will be our formal survey leading up to the health system’s accreditation,” she explained. “This survey will take place during the week of December 11-15. The successful outcome of the accreditation status will signal a new chapter in the further modernisation of the health system in Anguilla.”

Dr. Fleming-Banks continued: “When we embarked on this very ambitious process of accreditation some 24 months ago, our Board felt that this course of action was fundamental to identifying areas of strength for development and [to meet] challenges requiring corrective action. All of these efforts were directed at strengthening our operating systems and operational effectiveness.

Health Authority and Department Heads

“Since assuming responsibility for the management of the health system, we have expended tremendous resources in upgrading the health centres, the hospital and the work environment for staff. This was not because of the desire to spend the allotted limited resources because we had the power to do so but to ensure that the Health Authority makes the difference with respect to the way the public health services are viewed, conceived and delivered.

“Of importance, was the need to address public confidence in the utilisation of the health facilities. The context for all this was that we were aware that the Government of Anguilla was embarking on a National Health Fund as part of the second component of health reform – that is to finance the reform itself. We know that we had but a short time, as the Health Authority, to make the necessary improvements so that when this Fund is implemented the public health system would be able to make its claim for its fair share of reimbursement for its own survival. While we still have much work to do, we have made significant strides in improved public confidence in the utilisation of health services.”

Health Authority and Department Heads

Dr. Fleming-Banks said earlier that the Board had “taken note of the many significant and noticeable improvements in our health care system as evidenced by the rigorous monthly reporting by our CEO.” She continued: “We have taken note and supported your request for the many training interventions and organisational development plans. These include the continuous strengthening our health system’s infrastructure through the acquisition of critical equipment such as ultra sound, installation of the CT scan, incinerator and specialised doors at critical entry points at the hospital. We have taken a special note of the continuous development of our primary health care system which speaks volume of our work in health prevention and promotion.

She spoke about a new decision which has the support of the Board. “Our health care system will be celebrating an international award for health care excellence,” she disclosed. “This will be yet another significant milestone for our evolution and this award of excellence will significantly complement our model of higher tourism and help to inspire more public confidence.”

Health Authority and Department Heads

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development, Orris Proctor, who has responsibility for health, said that during the reviews the reports from heads of departments provided the Ministry with a clear idea of their achievements and challenges.

“It is my hope that you will use this review to reflect on your performance over the years, and the last quarter in particular, and to use the findings to help chart the course for the future. There is no doubt that as an organisation you have made valuable improvements. We must celebrate these successes. However, I am sure that you will agree with me that there are weaknesses in the system and we must not shy away from flagging these weaknesses in the system and work together to ensure that there is a constant improvement of the services provided by the Health Authority.”

Mr. Proctor, who is to proceed on early retirement from the Anguilla Public Service shortly, noted that it was the last time he would be attending a quarterly review of the HAA. He was grateful for the close working relationship he has had with the organisation and wished everyone continued success.

Chief Executive Officer of the HAA, Dexter James, thanked Mr. Proctor for his support and then led the various presentations.

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