BVI Environmental Health Officer Frandy Felix Joins
Environmental Health Officer Frandy Felix was deployed to Jamaica on 22 November to join a Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and Emergency Medical Team (EMT) operation mobilising a Type 2 Field Medical Hospital in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, following Hurricane Melissa (28 October 2025), the Government of the Virgin Islands confirmed. The BVI Government release adds appreciation for Mr. Felix’s professionalism, reiterates the Ministry’s commitment to regional solidarity, and provides media contact details for further information.
Hurricane Melissa struck parts of the Caribbean on 28 October 2025, leaving hospital and primary care infrastructure in Jamaica severely affected. In response, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) coordinated regional support for a Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and Emergency Medical Team (EMT) operation to mobilise a Type 2 Field Medical Hospital at Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, to restore urgently needed health services where local facilities were damaged or overwhelmed, according to CARPHA and regional reports cited by the Barbados Government Information Service and Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
The BDF field hospital was deployed to Jamaica from 18 November to 18 December 2025, the Barbados Government Information Service reported (as cited by VINO). The BDF’s Field Medical Hospital is one of only three Army Field Medical Hospitals in the world, underscoring the specialised capacity being deployed to support affected communities, VINO noted.
The Government of the Virgin Islands has confirmed that Environmental Health Officer Frandy Felix joined the BDF and EMT team on 22 November. The Ministry of Health and Social Development’s release, and a separate statement from the Environmental Health Division published by VINO on 27 November, said Mr.
Felix will support environmental health functions while the Type 2 Field Medical Hospital is mobilised and operating. Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer Henrietta Alexander told the Ministry that Mr. Felix trained earlier in the year in field medical hospital operations and will “support key environmental health functions as part of the multidisciplinary team responsible for clinical care, engineering support, water and sanitation, logistics and site coordination.” The Environmental Health Division’s statement emphasised those duties as essential to reducing health risks after a disaster.
Bertie reiterated the critical role of environmental health in disaster response and recovery, saying Officer Felix’s expertise will help safeguard water quality, sanitation and public health as Jamaica recovers. The Ministry and team extended appreciation for Mr. Felix’s professionalism and readiness to serve, the BVI Government release added.
For media enquiries, the Government listed Natasha Lettsome-Humphrey, Public Health Communications Specialist (telephone: 468-2286; email: nlettsome@gov.vg), and provided a general government media contact at BVIGovernment@dgagroup.com. For BVI residents, the deployment highlights how environmental health officers contribute in disaster settings — monitoring water safety, overseeing sanitation, advising on disease prevention and helping coordinate site logistics — and reflects the Territory’s ongoing commitment to regional solidarity.
The Ministry said the deployment demonstrates the value of strategic partnerships with CARPHA, PAHO, CDEMA and other regional bodies in protecting the health and social well-being of Virgin Islanders while supporting neighbours in need. The Government has said it will continue to provide updates as the operation proceeds and reminded the public that the Ministry of Health and Social Development remains committed to effective policies, sustainable programmes and strategic partnerships that build a safer, healthier, and more resilient society.
Primary source: BVI Government