NDP slams gov’t over baby delivered in VG community centre
The revived National Democratic Party (NDP) has blasted the government over reports that a baby was recently delivered at St. Mary’s Hall on Virgin Gorda, describing the incident as a troubling reflection of the deteriorating state of healthcare in the territory.
The incident was raised during a recent NDP radio programme, where Eighth District representative Marlon Penn criticised the government for failing to properly maintain healthcare facilities, particularly the Iris O’Neal Medical Centre on Virgin Gorda.
“We make a joke about it, but it’s serious. The mismanagement of our healthcare services is serious,” Penn declared.
The lawmaker argued that the NDP made significant investments in healthcare infrastructure, including completing the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital and constructing the Iris O’Neal Medical Centre to provide quality healthcare for residents of Virgin Gorda and the sister islands.
However, he said the current administration has failed to maintain those investments. “I mean, you get it, you can’t even maintain it?” Penn questioned.
He pointed to longstanding mould problems at the Iris O’Neal Medical Centre, which have disrupted services and raised concerns about the safety of patients and healthcare workers.
“Persons have to deliver their babies in a community centre. If you want to dress a wound on VG, you have to drive to North Sound,” Penn complained.
He also criticised the government for failing to establish reliable emergency medical transportation between Tortola and the sister islands, including dedicated medical boats or aircraft.
Penn said the issue is worsened by the fact that Health Minister Vincent Wheatley also represents the Ninth District, which includes the struggling Virgin Gorda community.
The opposition legislator further questioned the government’s spending priorities, arguing that millions are being spent on extravagant initiatives while nurses continue to complain about inadequate compensation and healthcare facilities remain in poor condition. “There’s no urgency from this government,” Penn declared.
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Damn! Damn! Is this how far we have really fallen!
Baby being born in a community center. How much more worst can it get?
Man, Hon. Vincent Wheatley, you letting us down bigtime. You make us here in VG look bad. We expected better. There’s a time to work, and a time to play. Stop playing around and get to work, that is why we gave you a chance in the first place. You time now have expired. We rallying for Shereen again, coming next elections. Time Up!
@VG Massive. I can agree with you on that. His time has indeed expired. Waste of time minister.
At least the baby is blessed by St. Mary. This minister is a square peg that was placed in a round hole. Wrong ministry.
might as well stay at home and wait for the midwife like the old days
Community center, home, boat, airplane, car or just about anywhere when that time comes and you have not planned or prepared for it. Glad the mother and youth are both well as the article did not say otherwise.
As a father, would it not have been more prudent given the closure of the clinic that the expecting mother would have been on Tortola while closer to her due date? Some responsibility needs to placed at her feet as she put her life and that of her newborn child in danger. Does the clinic have all the necessary equipment and staff for births and complications should they arise?
I see someone mention here “why not have them stay in Tortola closer to the time”? As someone who nearly didn’t make it to the hospital in Tola from VG I can say this;
1) not everyone can afford to leave their home or jobs to go stay on a next island and wait.
2) sometimes babies come early and unexpectedly.
3) the government should be providing it’s people with proper medical facilities to accommodate it’s citizens. How can you place that blame on a mother?
As a father you should work on your education about childbearing and biology. You are part of the problem placing blame on the mother. Please do better for your children and community. Many unexpected things can happen in childbirth. As previously posted, not everyone has the means to go wait on another island. Additionally, having the infrastructure and a responsible government is the issue here. It should be a basic human right, but the corrupt government keeps getting voted back in. So maybe the people are getting what they deserve for constantly voting for the same crap.
Vincent you really drop the ball on this one! VG Vote him OUT!
I thought we done hit wall when that Vg resident died due to Vg medical centre being closed . …
Y’all does forget fast mehson
If you tax ain being used to benefit you then take it back thru lawsuits or matching.
We build buildings, pat ourselves on the back and forget about the operations inside the building.
As a nation we build buildings, celebrate the openings, and then forget about the services inside them. That’s not development; that’s poor governance. A hospital or medical centre is only as good as the care it can consistently provide.
The fact that a baby reportedly had to be delivered in the community centre should concern all of us, regardless of political affiliation. It speaks to a wider decline in standards that is affecting our nation, our communities, and our reputation as a world-class tourism destination.
The government deserves criticism, but let’s not pretend the opposition automatically has the answers. The NDP has governed before and should be prepared to explain what it would do differently.
Replacing Vincent is only part of the solution.
What the BVI needs is better representation, stronger accountability, and leaders who focus on delivering results, not just winning elections.
Until we demand that standard from all our elected officials, regardless of party, we risk repeating the same cycle while expecting different results.
I was born in an elevator in a mall. In the USA. How many of you were born by midwives and at home? When a child is coming it’s coming. These failed Opposition members who don’t do a stroke of work other than talk and travel at it again.
I’m happy to hear that you delivered your child healthy and sounded in an elevator, but there is no comparison.
We are but very small square miles islands, where everything is a stone thrown away from each other. We boasted about turning over billions of U.S. Dollars over the years. We spend millions of dollars building all these fancy establishments and politicians are quick to ceremonially take credit; then after, they are left to outfit and maintain themselves.
There is no way things like this should be happening. This is unacceptable!
On top of that, we pride ourselves as being a Tourist Mega. Just imagine a visiting pregnant tourist had to be subjected to such an experience, and they publicized her ordeal to the international media. We don’t want that type of
heat, especially in these uncertain economic times.
We can and must do better. It is a matter of where, the people we elect to represent us, if they truly care, place their priorities. Period!
Well the baby born at the center. At least the baby is alive. I heard that a sick lady came at the center and could not breath and their was no oxygen to give to the person and later the lady die. So that is to say we in Virgin Gorda have to be very careful when we get sick over here.
As someone who has had to spend time in the Hospital recently, the BVI health care system is a joke!!!The systems, the techniques, the knowledge of modern medicine is all outdated and way behind the times. For a country that has a budget of 550 million dollars, it’s f**king pathetic! ALL 13 MUST GO!!! We need new people in government, not the same rotation of old corrupt f**k wits!