BVI News

Challenging times but hospital not underfunded — Premier

The Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital in Road Town

Reports that the Health Ministry has been cash strapped and the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) has seen diminished supplies have been dismissed by Premier Andrew Fahie. 

In an appearance on JTV’s The Big Story recently, the Premier said once the hospital or any health organisation makes a presentation, his government has made adjustments to ensure the entity has the necessary funding.

The Premier acknowledged that the BVI remains in very challenging times, but said monies continue to be allocated as needed, including a recent $500,000 disbursement to the Health Ministry.

“We have allocated monies for health so that they don’t have to wait and they can go ahead and do whatever is needed to be done,” Premier Fahie stated.

He further said no resources were spared to ensure the safety of the people of the Virgin Islands during the current COVID-19 surge.

Premier Fahie also pointed out that monies were allocated to the police and other law enforcement agencies recently.

According to the Premier, the reports of depleted funds and supplies amounted to nothing less than pure mischief.

Get educated and avoid misinformation

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie continued to encourage persons to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

He said persons should also continue to avoid misinformation and get educated on the facts concerning vaccination and how they should protect themselves through established health protocols.

He thanked several non-governmental agencies, including the Red Cross, Rotary Club, churches and other entities that have assisted so far in getting persons vaccinated.

The BVI experienced a spate of deaths since the start of a recent coronavirus outbreak where some 25 persons lost their lives in COVID-related circumstances at the Dr D Orlando Smith Hospital.

According to the latest figures from local health officials, positive cases have also reduced from a high of more than 1,600 persons to little more than 1,100 persons.

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7 Comments

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  1. Lies... says:

    They are begging for donations of PPE… they have bills that remain unpaid due to lack of funds…. STOP THE LIES.

    Like 13
  2. District 1 says:

    Fahie can you please tell the truth for once…gosh man.

    Hospital, Social Development, Safe Haven, Prison, Education, Mental Health are all underfunded.

    These areas that help, support and protect persons are underfunded and understaffed.

    When is election? We the people are so sick and tired of you and play play politics. Pack up and go.

    We will take the envelope and vote you out.

    Like 13
  3. Jesus Christ Superstar says:

    Please put on your sandals and come down here! The lunatic demons have taken over the asylum!!

  4. Rubber Duck says:

    WHERE ARE THE COVID FIGURES. What are you hiding?

  5. Andrew F says:

    As a leader you need to prioritise, we do not need hospitals and schools; drag racing tracks, cannabis farms, and casinos are far more important

  6. Lisa says:

    How many ventilators do you have? Do you have trained, qualified staff? You can actually kill a patient if you do not know how to operator a ventilator.

  7. Guess this guy doesn’t leave Tortola much? says:

    Hospital properly funded? How about ‘hospital not finished yet’
    Mr. Premier, come on down to the Virgin Gorda hospital and make this speech please! Then we all get some exercise throwing rotten fruits at you! The emperor has no clothing!
    You make sure all your boys get their construction money, then no money for the equipment needed to run the place. It takes 4 hours to get your jab, because nurses don’t live in VG and have to come over by ferry from Tortola. Stop with this “proper funding “ nonsense! It is doing harm to the people trying to make this mess work with rubber bands and bubble gum.

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