PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Claret Connor has announced progress toward reforming the VSA Inspectorate, with proposals to strengthen its structure, improve its operations and make it easier for residents to submit questions, complaints and concerns.
Speaking at the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday, October 14, Connor said the organization and operations assessments are complete, and the reform proposals are developed. Supporting draft legislation remains under review, while the proposals must still pass through the necessary review and formal decision-making process.
The next phase will include developing a practical implementation roadmap throughout 2027.
“This is about building an inspectorate that is equipped to respond to the needs of St. Maarten, both today and in the future,” Connor said.
Stronger supervision and enforcement
Connor said the proposals aim to improve the Inspectorate’s overall performance and strengthen coordination across public health, social development and labor.
He said he supports advancing the proposals while the supporting legislation undergoes further review.
The Minister described the reform as a comprehensive effort covering the legal framework, organizational structure, staff, procedures and systems needed for effective supervision and enforcement.
His announcement signals progress in preparing the reform, although it does not mean that the proposed structure or legislation has received final approval.
The practical test will be how the changes improve the Inspectorate’s ability to respond to matters within its mandate and communicate with the public.
Staff assessments already underway
Organizational and team development forms part of the reform.
Connor said the Inspectorate has engaged an external psychology practice and consultancy to support that work. Individual profiling and workplace assessments have already commenced.
The next phase will focus on collaboration, shared responsibility and professional development.
These activities are intended to strengthen how staff work together alongside improvements to the organization’s procedures and structure.
Website envisioned as public access point
Connor also outlined plans to improve stakeholder communication and digital services.
The work includes reviewing internal procedures, identifying gaps and improving the information available to residents.
The Inspectorate envisions a modernized website as a central access point where residents and stakeholders can find information and submit questions, complaints, and concerns.
The Minister emphasized that the reform extends beyond internal assessments to include how the Inspectorate engages with the community.
He did not announce a website launch date or specific response standards for complaints in his prepared remarks.
Implementation planning moves toward 2027
Connor said the Ministry will continue refining the proposed organizational design, advancing the supporting legislation and strengthening operational procedures and communication.
“With the progress made thus far, we are now moving towards the next phase of the reform,” he said, including developing the implementation roadmap for 2027.
That roadmap will be important in establishing how the proposals become operational changes, which measures take priority and when residents can expect improvements.
International engagements focus on health and resilience
During the briefing, Connor also reported on his working visits to New York and Washington, D.C.
He said he attended the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina as part of the Kingdom delegation, highlighting small-island priorities in health, climate resilience, labor and sustainable development.
At a high-level forum on sustainable procurement, Connor emphasized that public spending should create lasting social and environmental value. For Sint Maarten, he said, purchasing decisions should consider resilience, responsible suppliers and community benefits alongside price.
He also delivered an intervention on sea-level rise, outlining threats to coastal infrastructure, housing, livelihoods and public and private investments.
Nursing exchanges explored with Guyana
While in New York, Connor met Guyana’s Minister of Health to explore professional exchanges, particularly in nursing education, and broader health cooperation.
He described those discussions as opportunities requiring follow-up by the Ministry and the country. He did not announce a finalized exchange program.
In Washington, Connor attended Pan American Health Organization meetings and highlighted the signing of a Country Cooperation Strategy between Sint Maarten and PAHO.
He said the partnership will support future work, including disaster preparedness and better alignment with PAHO’s technical expertise and available resources.
Connor also recognized personnel at the Fire and Ambulance Departments following their community open house and congratulated the Mental Health Foundation on its 25th anniversary, acknowledging the care its staff provides to vulnerable residents.
