Cabinet has approved the appointment of Bevis Sylvester as the new chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), but the decision must receive final approval of the House of Assembly.
The decision was made during Cabinet’s meeting on September 9th, following a recommendation from Minister for Health and Social Development Vincent Wheatley.
Sylvester has been approved to serve as a member and chairman of the BVIHSA Board for three years, from 7 September 2026 to 6 September 2029.
The approval will now be submitted to the House of Assembly for approval at its next convenient sitting, in keeping with the BVI Health Services Authority Act, 2004.
Once approved, Sylvester will receive $1,000 monthly as chairman. His appointment must also be published in the Virgin Islands Official Gazette and at least twice in a local newspaper circulating in the Territory.
Sylvester previously served as chairman of the BVI Airports Authority.
He is set to succeed Ron Potter, who was appointed BVIHSA chairman in 2023 for three years. Potter’s tenure expired earlier this year.
Potter’s time at the helm was marked by controversy in September 2024 when Minister Wheatley asked him to resign amid public criticism of healthcare services.
Potter refused, stating that the request was sent through WhatsApp and arguing that there were no legal grounds for his removal under the BVI Health Services Authority Act. At the time, he maintained that he remained committed to improving healthcare services.
Sylvester is coming into the position as the Authority faces major challenges, including staff shortages, repeated disruptions to some services and continued demands from healthcare workers for improved salaries and working conditions.
Recent staffing problems affected Emergency Medical Services, while concerns have also been raised about the low salaries paid to qualified emergency medical personnel. The Authority has also faced several reported sickouts and difficulties retaining healthcare professionals.
The change at the board level follows the appointment of Gordon Frame as the Authority’s new chief executive officer on 1 September 2026.
The decision was made during Cabinet’s meeting on September 9th, following a recommendation from Minister for Health and Social Development Vincent Wheatley.
Sylvester has been approved to serve as a member and chairman of the BVIHSA Board for three years, from 7 September 2026 to 6 September 2029.
The approval will now be submitted to the House of Assembly for approval at its next convenient sitting, in keeping with the BVI Health Services Authority Act, 2004.
Once approved, Sylvester will receive $1,000 monthly as chairman. His appointment must also be published in the Virgin Islands Official Gazette and at least twice in a local newspaper circulating in the Territory.
Sylvester previously served as chairman of the BVI Airports Authority.
He is set to succeed Ron Potter, who was appointed BVIHSA chairman in 2023 for three years. Potter’s tenure expired earlier this year.
Potter’s time at the helm was marked by controversy in September 2024 when Minister Wheatley asked him to resign amid public criticism of healthcare services.
Potter refused, stating that the request was sent through WhatsApp and arguing that there were no legal grounds for his removal under the BVI Health Services Authority Act. At the time, he maintained that he remained committed to improving healthcare services.
Sylvester is coming into the position as the Authority faces major challenges, including staff shortages, repeated disruptions to some services and continued demands from healthcare workers for improved salaries and working conditions.
Recent staffing problems affected Emergency Medical Services, while concerns have also been raised about the low salaries paid to qualified emergency medical personnel. The Authority has also faced several reported sickouts and difficulties retaining healthcare professionals.
The change at the board level follows the appointment of Gordon Frame as the Authority’s new chief executive officer on 1 September 2026.
© 2026 BVI Platinum News. This article is original BVI Platinum content. Reproduction or republication without written permission is prohibited.
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