Premier unaware of BVIHSA salary delays
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley said he is unaware of any significant salary delays for staff at the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA).
However, he acknowledged that minor payment lags may occasionally occur.
“I am not aware of staff not being paid. Sometimes, towards the end of the month, there may be a one- or two-day delay when persons receive their salary. But I am not aware of a situation where staff are not being paid,” Dr Wheatley said on the Talking Points radio programme recently.
His comments follow reports that some BVIHSA employees have experienced late salary payments, which BVIHSA board representative Bishop John Cline attributed to a transition between payroll systems. Cline explained that this shift led to delays in payroll submissions to banks but assured that the issue should be resolved by month’s end.
BVIHSA’s financial struggles
Beyond payroll challenges, the BVIHSA continues to grapple with broader financial difficulties. High electricity costs at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital and reliance on government subventions through the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme have strained the authority’s budget.
The Premier acknowledged these financial pressures, citing the government’s recent decision to write off nearly $20 million in debt owed by the BVIHSA. He said this move aimed to strengthen the authority’s financial position and improve healthcare services.
“We recognise that the Health Services Authority has financial challenges. These challenges have existed for some time,” Dr. Wheatley noted.
Restructuring NHI payment model
Dr Wheatley highlighted plans to restructure how the NHI compensates the BVIHSA for services. Currently, the authority receives a fixed global payment regardless of service volume. The proposed model would instead ensure payments reflect the actual cost of services provided.
Additionally, Health Minister Vincent Wheatley announced plans to bring in a financial expert to help the BVIHSA better manage its finances. He noted that maintaining the new hospital facilities had significantly increased government expenditure, doubling previous budgets.
“What was supposed to assist with that was the national health insurance. But as it is currently structured, the Health Services Authority doesn’t benefit as much as it should,” Minister Wheatley explained.
Meanwhile, Bishop Cline emphasized the need for fair compensation and improved morale among healthcare workers. He stressed the importance of raising salaries to industry standards and upgrading infrastructure to enhance service delivery.
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Always something with that hospital… I fear the day the government force we to use it instead of private cuz they really need to improve on service and conditions of that place. Have health for a joke but nhi don’t apply to them. Politicians can fly out at the blink of an eye to see Dr overseas.
Didn’t kishma said that they would refuse to restock on important life saving items for months so nurses would need to hoard them for serious situations. That’s just ludicrous. Where is our tax going?
And is this the same institution our youths should look to for job when they finish their education? Smh
Force “US” not “WE” force “US” smh.
So a place as small as Tortola with a leader that is always up in everything he was not aware of what is going on with the Hospital salary delays? What the hell is really going on in this place?
Them awe the staff long time now
He never knows nothing
The people is waking up and is tired, frustrated and beyond stressed out. I may be wrong but I see the people rioting soon.
It’s honestly wild that the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) is still stuck in a financial chokehold while private medical facilities are expanding, upgrading, and running profitable operations off the same National Health Insurance (NHI) system. How does it make sense that NHI pays the same amount regardless of services provided? That system was probably put in place when NHI launched back in 2013, but the cost of living, medical supplies, equipment, and even salaries have skyrocketed since then. Meanwhile, the hospital is drowning in expenses, struggling to pay staff, and barely keeping up with maintenance.
At this point, the entire structure of both BVIHSA and NHI needs an overhaul. The government just wiped out $20 million in hospital debt, but that’s just a band-aid fix—it doesn’t address the root cause of the financial struggles. Instead of sticking to this broken system, why not adopt a business model like the private facilities that are thriving? Run the hospital like a business, ensure NHI pays based on actual services rendered, and suddenly, revenue starts flowing. Staff will get paid on time, machinery will be maintained, and the electricity bill will no longer be a crisis.
It’s time for leadership to stop talking about “plans” and “financial experts” and actually implement real change. Because at this rate, if they don’t fix this now, we’ll be right back here in another few years with the same problems, just worse.
The ding bat is always unaware of everything. Edith Bunker was a ding bat but she had more common sense than this guy.
Total B.S!!!bet if his wife was still there working HE would have known! GOD HELP IS IN THIS PLACE