Concerns raised over govt’s breast reduction saga
Some commentators have expressed deep concern at the government’s decision to pay for cosmetic medical expenses for a resident of the territory several years ago.
The disclosure was made in an audit report released by the Internal Audit Department on assistance grants issued by the Andrew Fahie-led government between January 2019 and May 2022.
“The thing about it, I mean, I don’t have a problem if you have cancer and government have to help you,” Hot Seat host Walwyn Brewley said. “I have a problem if you got two big busts and you want them reduced. Government paid for that. And we did that.”
Guidelines for the government’s assistance grants programme provided that requests for assistance with medical expenses should have been accompanied by evidence from the attending physician. However, the audit found that some requests were not supported by such evidence.
It found one extreme instance where an individual, without evidence of a medical diagnosis or even a referral, applied and received assistance for a breast reduction surgery.
The audit also showed that a majority of the applications reviewed were found to be incomplete, missing vital information such as income levels, and information regarding assistance received from other governmental agencies.
A small random sample of 250 applications were reviewed by auditors to determine whether the amounts awarded were supported by sufficient information/documentation. Of those 250 awards, only 10 percent were determined to be adequately supported with appropriate information/documentation.
Auditors said the remaining 90 percent were awarded based on a letter or the House of Assembly’s application stating the amount required.
“Even in instances where applications were deemed to be adequately supported, we found that requested amounts were reduced, whereas those that were not adequately supported received the full amount requested,” the report noted. “Such instances show that decisions were not solely based on the assessed merit of the application, but rather based on the individual.”
Auditors concluded that the Assistance Grant Programme at the House of Assembly can be likened to an unorganised welfare programme. It was further noted that the programme lacked appropriate objectives, control and structure that would promote transparency and accountability.
“It was largely controlled by elected officials who had little to no oversight and limitations to their discretion,” the report stated.
The programme was ultimately discontinued, with officials moving social assistance grants to the Social Development Department after the release of the Commission Inquiry (COI) report.
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Where can I see a copy of the report. I want to read it myself.
Yes, we don’t pay to reduce inly increase!
Please everyone read this report at viconsortium.com to see the level of corruption in our government. The report says Fahie personally gave away $23 million in three years to people in his district alone.Payments were made throughout the county for breast reduction, scholarships that the individual never went to college and much much more.
THE WHOLE VIP NEED LOCKING UP
Also people getting multiple grants for the same purpose from more than one agency.
This is the problem with discretion. Try to remove it as much as possible from our system. Its harder to hold people accountable when you leave things up to their discretion.
Try: https://viconsortium.com/vi-investigations/virgin-islands-from-breast-reduction-funding-to-109k-for-living-expensive-of-legislature-gross-waste-of-public-funds-in-bvi-unveiled-in-audit
Are you dumb? A large bust can cause health issues such as back pains, hard time sleeping, hinders you from be a normal physically active human. My insurance in USA covered mine because it is a HEALTH CONCERN. breast reduction is not just a cosmetic procedure that you can compare to a bbl. these gov reps really are nepo babies. no sort of education or real sense
Surely this would be supporting information, negating the need for surgery.
SO THIS IS WHA VIP DOING WITH OUR MONEY?
I have heart problems so are you saying government should be paying for my surgery since it could be life threatening?
Just asking!
https://viconsortium.com/vi-investigations/virgin-islands-from-breast-reduction-funding-to-109k-for-living-expensive-of-legislature-gross-waste-of-public-funds-in-bvi-unveiled-in-audit
I had surgery for cancer, did chemo and radiation (radiation had to be done overseas) they could have helped me too.
but you don’t have a family member working with the government mih dear.
https://bvi.gov.vg/sites/default/files/hoa_covid-19_assistance_grants_report_-_aud_gen_amended_8_june_23.pdf?mibextid=Zxz2cZ
Such corruption please read , names are named.
No wrongdoing the Sl** man deh said. The report reads like a financial gangbang. They were entrusted with the care and safe keeping of the public funds yet ran a train on the treasury..SMH. When the UK come for this place it will be solely these people’s fault.
Who is is the woman who got her breast fixed though?
If your breast are so big they had to consider surgery… we need to not be quick to judge before walking a mile in another persons shoes.
Contrary to popular belief super large breast is a problem. I know someone who had them reduced as a young adult or teen which ever. It was a medical concern not cosmetic!
It been going around on whats app u have to click on the link
Does the BVI have that many women with large breasts that this issue is a concern.
EVERY-ALL!
Thank you for sharing.
If our tax dollars pay for them breast, we should be able to see them.
Do you think VIP was the only Administration using Government funds as a personal purse. VIP was just only admin audited.
So we can use the phone that was paid by our tax dollars??
Asking for a ‘friend’
Doing breast reduction and non stop party with our money.
Not only that v.i.p is using our money to make breast more sexy for the guys, they are into using it for non stop party discretion. But something tell me that deputy primeir smith may just resign not been able to function under that environment with natalio not been a finance person just messing up the treasury funds making her financial expertise unfunctionable.
Facts