Health Minister should be fired — Walwyn
Weeks after Health Minister Vincent Wheatley asked BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Chairman Ron Potter to resign, Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn suggested that Wheatley should be removed from office instead.
Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Walwyn criticised Wheatley’s handling of the health sector, particularly concerning the state of healthcare on the sister islands and the lack of proper equipment and staffing. He argued that the minister’s failure to manage critical health services effectively warrants his dismissal.
Walwyn was especially upset about the recent closure of the Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic in Virgin Gorda, a situation he deemed inexcusable, particularly since Wheatley represents the island in the House of Assembly. He expressed disbelief that the clinics were left without electricity and criticized the Minister for not intervening.
“You’re the Minister of Health, and the hospital is closed in Virgin Gorda. And you’re the Minister of Health, and you ain’t know and you ain’t do nothing about it. But who needs to get fired? If anybody should be fired, it’s the Minister,” Walwyn said during his address.
Additionally, Walwyn raised concerns about the recent resignation request sent to BVIHSA Chairman Potter via WhatsApp. He criticized how this was handled, questioning Wheatley’s leadership and calling for proper governance standards. He further compared Wheatley’s actions to the Premier’s recent budget mismanagement, noting the double standards in how both situations were treated.
“It is ironic that the minister now is calling for the head of the chairmanship of the board,” Walwyn said. “But when the Premier made his $20 million snafu, and I raised the matter and said he should resign, he was the first one that got up and said resign for what? But now you want to kill Ron? You think Ron is a cashew without a nut?”
He continued: “And then, to go send a professional man a WhatsApp to tell him resign. By WhatsApp? That is what the country is coming to. And that is why I want to see standards. Standards in these documents, so that you would know where your power starts and where your power ends.”
Walwyn also emphasized broader issues within the BVI’s healthcare system, such as the inadequate number of nurses, outdated dialysis machines, and a lack of proper resources. He stated that residents deserve better, and it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that health services are well-funded and functional.
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BVI POLITRICKS where and absolute tool like Vincent can get elected but a man like Farrara could never win an election. Dummies get elected and brilliant people don’t. Go figure LOL popularity contest.
Agree.
Vincent should be fired, he is incompetent and is not handling the health sector properly. Also, the audit report shows he gave money to friends and family in his previous ministers post.
Also.
Walwyn should be fired from his position if and when he gets put in jail when his case comes in front of the courts.
I agree. but do not worry, the CIO aint finish with him yet.
I firmly believe in the saying “Elections have consequences”. This has been the ABSOLUTE WORST GOVERNMENT that I have seen in my short 30yrs of existing. We have a bunch of incompetent people running the Government. These people don’t even know how to balance a budget for a candy store, must less run the Territory. We need to start electing people with at least half a brain
His political days are over.
Lol…a cashew without a nut.
keep their feet to the fire. A set of unfair people. Politicians behave too powerful. He needs to resign. Imagine, a WhatsApp message. That’s the height of nonsense, disrespect and incompetence.
Kettle Black