BVIHSA strengthens laboratory and antimicrobial stewardship capacity

British Virgin Islands – December 11, 2025 – The British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is pleased to announce strengthened collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) through the UK Overseas Territories (UKOT) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Programme, supporting the continued advancement of laboratory services, infection prevention and control (IPC), and antimicrobial stewardship across the Territory.

As part of this strategic partnership, BVIHSA welcomes Dr. Sharon Irvine, an NHS Consultant in Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and General Medicine, who has been seconded to BVI to provide targeted support across clinical and laboratory settings. Dr. Irvine brings extensive experience spanning the UK, the Middle East, and humanitarian health deployments in Sierra Leone, Ukraine, Angola, and Cambodia, where she has contributed to strengthening infection services, developing laboratory systems, and training multidisciplinary teams.

During her secondment, Dr. Irvine will work closely with BVIHSA teams to enhance diagnostic pathways, support microbiology services, improve laboratory turnaround times, and strengthen clinical liaison, particularly in relation to infection prevention and control. She also brings essential laboratory supplies valued at approximately £10,000, donated through the UKOT Programme, ensuring the continuity and quality in clinical diagnostic processes. In addition, Dr. Irvine will provide training on advanced tools such as BioFire Technology and the WHO Antibiogo app, supporting standardized, high-quality interpretation of antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Dr. June Samuel, welcomed this partnership, noting its alignment with the organisation’s commitment to building a future-ready workforce and a more resilient health system, which are key strategic priorities of the BVIHSA.

“This collaboration reflects our dedication to developing a highly skilled and supported clinical workforce through strategic partnerships,” Dr. Samuel said. “By leveraging expert international support, we are strengthening our laboratory capacity, reinforcing best practices in antimicrobial stewardship, and ensuring we continue to deliver safe, responsive and reliable care to the people of the Virgin Islands.”

Dr. Irvine expressed enthusiasm for contributing to ongoing improvements in the Territory’s infection and diagnostic services:

“I am delighted to support BVIHSA’s efforts to enhance antimicrobial stewardship and laboratory diagnostics. There is tremendous potential here, and I look forward to working collaboratively with colleagues across clinical, laboratory and public health teams to advance high-quality, evidence-based infection care.”

This partnership underscores BVIHSA’s ongoing commitment to

• Strengthening laboratory and diagnostic systems
• Enhancing workforce capability through targeted training
• Deepening strategic international partnerships
• Improving patient outcomes through safer, more effective care pathway

BVIHSA continues to pursue meaningful, future-focused collaborations that support long-term organisational resilience while placing excellence in patient care at the forefront of our mission