BVIHSA waives COVID test payment for visitors of hospital patients
The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) will be waiving the payment of recommended COVID-19 tests for persons visiting patients at the Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital.
The Health Services Authority requires mandatory COVID-19 testing for visitors but the previous policy made visitors liable for the cost of testing.
In a recent press release, the BVIHSA said the amendment was made after careful consideration and review of the previous policy.
“The management of the BVIHSA has sought to balance patient safety with the need for family and friends to visit their loved ones who are admitted for care,” the press release said.
“Therefore, it was decided that COVID-19 tests will be done, but the fees will be waived to ensure that cost is not a hindrance to visitation,” it continued.
The new testing arrangement for visitation will see the results of the test forwarded to the BVIHSA’s Infection Control Unit for visitation consideration and approval. However, visitors will not be provided with a soft or hard copy of their tests results.
“If persons are interested in an emailed or printed copy of their visitor test result, they will be required to pay the associated fee,” the statement read.
The press statement also noted that persons testing for visitation authorization are required to do so between 9 am and 11 am daily.
The announcement comes after Health Minister Carvin Malone said yesterday that the government will be relaxing COVID-19 protocols amidst the declining number of recorded cases in the territory.
Malone said Cabinet decided to remove the 100 people gathering limit and amend it to one person per every nine square feet in each establishment.
He also said the quarantine period for unvaccinated visitors to the territory will be moved from seven days to five days. The changes will come into force when gazetted and should expire on the March 31.
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So persons are still being subjected to testing in order to visit their sick family BUT won’t receive results for the test unless they pay for it. How does this make sense to educated people? I am in full agreement with waiving the fee for testing but what is the point of testing if you won’t receive the results unless you pay to acquire the results?? Send them a text to say “BVIHSA, your result are negative or positive”. If they want an emailed or physical copy then they can pay for it. Not telling the visitors their results at all is not acceptable.
It makes absolute sense to people with more than a below average IQ. The test is only to allow you to visit patients of the hospital. The hospital staff will see the results after you are tested and then allow you visitation rights. There is no need to get a copy of the results. It is not to be used for any purpose other than the hospital visit. It is not for use outside of the hospital. Why would you need to get a copy of the results? If you need the results for any other purpose beyond a visit then pay the $50.
This is a great solution. This stops people using free tests for other purposes like travelling. It is very clever.Well done. If you test +ve the HSA can keep you relatives safe. If negative you can visit, but you cannot use the test for anything else. For that you would have to pay. Total sense. I like it.
If you positive you will know cause they love too see the numbers going up.
Soooo, my family member fall ill and I have to go bring supplies for them, you telling me I had to pay to be tested ! a mandatory testing ? boy ayo really know how to milk people when dem down, cha.
Human/mankind is the most horrific and immoral beast on planet earth.
He took the pandemic and used it as another opportunity to satisfy his insaciable greed for money
In all aspects of life, he is the most dispecable animal on planet.
but when you go to the Dr. cause you sick, they test you for covid you got to pay for it yourself… NO NHI does not pay that.
The poor will die and the rich will get richer people try and stay healthy as possible
Buy why patients have to get tested to do any medicql procedures at the hospital. They need to waive the fees for patients who have to do minor surgeries too.