Premier: Public healthcare is the solution to NHI woes
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has insisted that the BVI focus more on public institutions to address the growing challenge of financing healthcare, stressing that the costs are significant and can strain the territory’s budget.
During a press conference yesterday, Dr Wheatley explained that healthcare costs are increasing globally, and the BVI is no exception.
“Healthcare can drive any government to bankruptcy,” Premier Wheatley stated. He pointed to the pressing need for a sustainable solution and emphasised that the BVI cannot rely solely on government funding to finance healthcare.
Dr Wheatley highlighted the National Health Insurance (NHI) system as a vital part of the solution and called for reforms to the NHI system.
He proposed that individuals whose healthcare costs are already covered by the government should be directed to public healthcare institutions rather than private facilities. This change, he suggested, would help ease the financial strain on the public health sector. “Some people may not like this, but it’s the only way we’re going to get sustainable financing for our health services,” he added.
According to Dr Wheatley, the current arrangement, where a single static payment is made regardless of the services provided, is not working effectively. “We need a system that ensures NHI benefits our public healthcare institutions as much as possible,” he said.
He compared the situation in the BVI to other countries, noting that even wealthy nations like the United Kingdom and the United States struggle with the financial burden of healthcare.
The Premier acknowledged that the BVI’s healthcare system needs substantial investment but noted that some improvements would be funded through regular budgetary allocations, not just the recently approved $100 million loan. The loan would contribute $4 million to healthcare infrastructure, but other healthcare needs would be addressed separately.
Dr Wheatley also recognised the need for better-equipped clinics on the outer islands, including Virgin Gorda and Anegada, and reassured the public that the government is committed to addressing healthcare needs across the territory.
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It’s remarkable how quickly the premier picks up on ideas that I blog on social media. There is nothing like time and experience. If we were to put aside foolish pride and discrimination this country would be a force to be reckoned with.
Good move, Mr. Premier—reforming the NHI is essential. It’s going to be critical to remove anyone standing in the way of meaningful change, whether they’re on boards or in operational roles. Expect pushback from those who have been unfairly profiting from the current system, and be ready to handle that pressure. But let’s be honest—those individuals have benefited long enough. It’s time they think beyond their own gain and start considering what’s best for the country as a whole.
so how you fixing it by making NHI only usable at government facilities? Essentially giving the ‘customer’ even less for the money you taking from them.
He talks a lot but nothing ever improves in ‘his’ BVI.