UOAA Discussion Board

I may have to go to the British Virgin Islands on a job for 6-12 months and was wondering if thier is any support groups there.Also what the availablity of supplies.

Dick

Hi Dick,

I hope that if your assignment is just 6 months, it will be the 6 that are the coldest in Tonawanda (this from someone who spent many years in Attica and knows what 'lake effect' is all about )

The British Virgin Islands do not, to my knowledge or that of the IOA, have an ostomy support group. You might learn of some contacts there through the "ia" (Ileostomy & Pouch Association) of the UK - see their contact page at http://www.the-ia.org.uk/uni_contact.aspx .

As for suppliers, contact the international divisions of the major pouch makers to learn what distributors they work through there:

Coloplast: Link for their "Export Region" http://tinyurl.com/349l36

ConvaTec: within the Caribbean section they show only this staff person: beatriz.torres AT bms DOT com Tel: 787-774-2880 (in Puerto Rico)

Hollister: shows only distributors in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, in the area. This PR-based company might know how ostomy items are supplied to residents of the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico Hospital Supply, Inc.
Ave. Rosendo Vela Acosta Lote 4
Jardines Industriales de Carolina
Carolina, Puerto Rico 00987
Telephone: 787-622-5151
Fax: 787-622-5156

Since it sounds like a temporary posting, you might find it simpler to continue to purchase supplies stateside and have them shipped to you.

Good luck - and don't forget to let us know how it goes!
Linda in NJ

Thanks for the info Linda
I never realized how much was involved in traveling overseas. It's not like driving to Canada. This job has been kicking around for a couple of years so who knows where it will go. Your right, it was a tough choice -Tonawanda in the winter or the Virgin Islands.

I actually checked with my insurance company and they have a in-network doctor/clinic/pharmacy on the island but as far as ostomy supplies my best bet is the mail.

Dick