By SENATOR JANETTE MILLIN YOUNG
CHARLOTTE AMALIE –Having received several complaints from constituents about the way the medical evacuees have been treated on the mainland and the precarious state of their well-being as they receive care so far from home, Senator Janette Millin Young says she remains deeply concerned.
Considering this, Senator Millin Young, invited Vinod P. Dadlani, CEO of United Way of the U.S. Virgin Islands, on a fact-finding mission to the Atlanta area where they met with medical evacuees, caregivers, federal officials, healthcare providers, and local non-profits.
It’s been a little over six months after Hurricanes Irma and Maria crippled our healthcare system and our medical evacuees are still languishing on the mainland, Senator Millin Young stated. Months have dragged on with no hope of returning home in sight. Many of the evacuees and their caregivers feel that they have been forgotten as the Territory moves on toward the rebuilding process. They have expressed disappointment in their current situation, and how it has been handled. Senator Millin Young and Mr. Dadlani both agree there is an urgency to assist evacuees who need continued treatment and must be maintained in the mainland and locally to proficiency to maintain life. “We need to ensure that we are able to transition our evacuees to viable healthcare facilities with the medical professionals to support their care. Given the stresses of the hurricanes and the need to receive immediate treatment many mishaps occurred. It is now time to correct these deficiencies and move forward for the sake of the most vulnerable among us,” Millin Young said.
“I thank Senator Millin Young for inviting me on this fact-finding mission to Atlanta. Virgin Islands residents who have been displaced by the storms because of their medical issues are a major concern for us. I am committed to working with the Senator, as well as local, and stateside stakeholders, to see how best we can support our residents that are stateside and help them transition back home safely. We want to make sure they have the required medical attention to maintain their health,” stated Mr. Dadlani.
“We all know that these programs will not continue indefinitely and as they begin to wane, we must offer viable solutions so that we can bring our people home, as they continue their care,” Millin Young said. “Recently, it has come to my attention that some patients are being asked questions in relation to a release date from their healthcare facility. They and their caregivers need an immediate response from the Territory on whether their health issues can be sufficiently managed in the Virgin Islands. This crisis is beyond politics. It requires a community response. Therefore, I, along with Mr. Dadlani, are calling on all stakeholders whether they be a medical evacuee, caregiver, private or public institutions to make this a priority, so we can move this issue forward,” Millin Young stated.
Sen. Millin Young encourages stakeholders to contact her office at (340) 693-3515 or by email iwilliams@legvi.org
