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Premier Wheatley: Hospital Funding Crisis Must Be Fixed—Calls for Urgent NHI Reform

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Premier Natalio D. Wheatley has defended his administration’s handling of the financial and operational challenges facing the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), insisting that issues with the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme and hospital funding were inherited and are being actively addressed.

During an interview on JTV’s The Big Story with Cathy Richards on March 11, Premier Wheatley pushed back against claims that his government has not invested adequately in the territory’s healthcare system. He pointed out that the government’s subvention to the hospital has nearly tripled since the construction of the new facility, increasing from approximately $15 million to $42 million annually.

“To make it seem as though we’re not putting money into the hospital is ridiculous,” Wheatley stated. “Healthcare can make any country go broke, and you cannot fund the hospital outside of having a proper national hea

British Virgin Islands (BVI) Premier Natalio Wheatley

Premier Wheatley

lth insurance scheme.”

The Premier emphasized the need to reform NHI to better serve the public healthcare system. He noted that while the NHI has largely benefited private sector providers, the hospital receives a fixed amount annually, regardless of the services it provides. He described this funding model as unsustainable and in need of urgent restructuring.

“Part of the problem we have with the hospital is that they get a global figure. That $42 million is not in exchange for any services or goods they provide,” he explained. “When private sector providers charge NHI, they do so per service provided. The hospital, on the other hand, gets the same figure no matter how much service it provides. That just doesn’t make any sense, and that’s something we have to fix.”

Wheatley assured the public that efforts are underway to address these structural deficiencies. He cited the reactivation of the contract committee, as well as legislative amendments being prepared to modify the NHI framework in a way that allows the public hospital to benefit more equitably. He stressed that these issues have existed for years and did not originate under his administration.

“Persons think the challenges at the hospital just started, but think again,” he said. “They’ve been happening for some time, and it’s our responsibility to fix them. We don’t run away from that responsibility.”

Responding to concerns about transparency and accountability, Premier Wheatley urged the public to stay engaged with the government’s efforts. He encouraged residents to attend public meetings and contribute to ongoing discussions about the future of healthcare in the BVI.

“The Minister of Health gives updates all the time, but the question is, do we listen when he gives them?” he asked. “We can always do more to address these challenges, but we need all hands on deck.”

As the government moves forward with its healthcare reform initiatives, the Premier called on the community to take an active role in supporting improvements, citing the contributions of civic organizations such as Rotary and the Lions Club as examples of meaningful engagement.

“We want to see things done, and we are telling the entire territory that we need to work together to make it happen,” he concluded.

The Premier’s remarks come amid growing public concern about the state of the territory’s healthcare system, with many residents calling for immediate action to resolve long-standing issues at the hospital and within the NHI scheme.

The government’s proposed reforms are expected to be debated in the House of Assembly in the coming months.

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Chantel Malone Leaps to First Place Amid Headwinds at Tucson Elite Classic:

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Chantel Malone of the British Virgin Islands secured first place in the women’s long jump at the Tucson Elite Classic with a leap of 6.43 meters (21 feet 1¼ inches). The event marked Malone’s third meet of the season, following jumps of 6.63 meters in Miami and 6.58 meters in Atlanta.

“Going into Tucson, I was focused on execution,” Malone said. “I’ve been having a little bit of trouble with my approach, so I really wanted to lock in and get that right. Unfortunately, we had a strong headwind, so it made it difficult to be consistent on the board.”

Despite the challenging wind conditions, Malone expressed confidence in her progress and readiness for the rest of the season. “I don’t think the actual results are a true depiction of where I am physically,” she explained. “Long jump is such a technical sport that the simplest thing can affect the overall jump. Once I connect the dots, I truly believe I will fly.”

Malone is no stranger to overcoming adversity. After a knee injury that required surgery, she has worked to reestablish herself in the international long jump scene. Reflecting on her journey, she added, “As you know, my journey back to sport after injury has been one for the books! I’m just living proof that if you truly believe in yourself and work relentlessly towards your goal, anything is possible. That’s what I hope my journey inspires in others.”

Looking ahead, Malone plans to prioritize health and rediscover her rhythm. “For the rest of the season, the goal is to get back to being me,” she said. “Having fun with the sport. Trusting Jehovah fully. Conquering goals! I think this season should be great once I stay healthy.”

Malone continues to build on her performances as she competes in events across the 2025 season.

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Festival Costs Outpace Revenue Despite $1M Intake, Says Premier

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The British Virgin Islands’ annual cultural festival generated over one million US dollars in revenue last year, but according to Premier Dr Natalio D. Wheatley, that figure was not enough to cover the full cost of staging the event.

“While it’s encouraging that the festival brought in over a million, the reality is that expenses continue to run into the millions,” Dr Wheatley said during a recent appearance on Virgin Islands Voice on Wednesday, 14 May. “It’s a massive undertaking, and the financial responsibility is shared between government, sponsors, and revenue from ticket sales and other activities.”

The festival, a cornerstone of Virgin Islands cultural life, remains a priority for the government—but not a commercial venture. The Premier was quick to emphasise that the objective is not to generate profit, but to ensure that the event is sustainable and that local vendors and service providers are paid promptly.

“Our role isn’t to make money,” he said. “We want local businesses to benefit. When we charge at the gate or host activities, it’s simply to cover costs and make sure no one is left unpaid.”

This year, government officials are hoping to improve the festival’s management framework by formalising the Festival and Fairs Committee. The Premier confirmed that the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sustainable Development is in the final stages of selecting board members, with recommendations expected to go before Cabinet in the coming days.

Among those currently serving are long-standing volunteers, some of whom have applied for official posts on the incoming board. “These are people who have poured their time and energy into making this festival a success year after year,” Wheatley said.

Volunteers currently receive minimal benefits, such as event access, but legislation does allow for stipends to be issued to official committee members. As the structure evolves, Dr Wheatley suggested that further support could be considered for sub-committee leaders who bear significant workloads.

Despite the financial challenges, the Premier remained optimistic about the future of the festival and the community’s enduring commitment to its cultural heritage.

“This is something we do out of love for who we are,” he said. “With better planning and continued support, we’ll keep it alive and thriving.”

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Nyron Erickson Shot and Killed in West End

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Nyron Erickson was shot and killed in broad daylight on Saturday afternoon in  the West End area of Tortola, the British Virgin Islands, in an attack that police say is now the focus of an active investigation.

The 33-year-old, who had been at the centre of a high-profile international legal case, was fatally wounded shortly after 3:00 p.m. on May 10 while riding a scooter in the area.

According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), unknown assailants opened fire, striking him multiple times.

Officers responded to the scene and cordoned off the entrance to Zion Hill, near Big Ben’s Gas Station, as investigations began.

The RVIPF confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Sunday, adding that the matter remains under active investigation.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Kenrick Davis stressed that he was alarm at the continued use of violence in the Territory.

“Every life lost to gun violence is one too many. With each incident of this kind, the immediate family members suffer immense loss and grief, but the entire
community also suffers from the resultant vicarious trauma. This trauma is manifested in many ways, including a shared fear of crime, which negatively
impacts the quality of life. We are doing everything we can to solve this instant crime, but there has to be an all-hands-on-deck approach to mitigate gun
violence in the Territory.”

He added: “We are urging the community to come forward with any information, no matter how small, that may assist us in identifying and bringing those
responsible to justice.”

An unverified video circulating on multiple social media platforms in the BVI appears to show the moment of the shooting, with armed assailants firing
several rounds from a moving vehicle. Police are yet to officially comment on the authenticity of the footage.

Erickson’s death brings a sudden and violent close to a complex legal saga that extended across BVI, United States Virgin Islands
(USVI), and the United Kingdom (UK).

His legal challenges began in August 2019, when a federal grand jury in St. Thomas, USVI, indicted him over an alleged conspiracy in 2018 to transport
$130,000 in suspected drug proceeds from Tortola to the USVI via ferry.

An arrest warrant was issued in the United States on January 17, 2020, followed by a local warrant from the RVIPF in February. Erickson remained at large for several months before voluntarily surrendering to authorities on August 30, 2020.

He was remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison on Tortola and spent more than two years contesting extradition to the US. His appeals ultimately failed before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council—Tortola’s highest appellate court—and he was extradited on February 27, 2023.

In the USVI, he was charged with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and the unlawful transportation of funds into the United States. However, the case fell apart, and federal prosecutors dropped the charges after six months.

Upon his return to the BVI, Erickson was arrested again on September 20, 2023, moments after disembarking a ferry in Road Town. Five days later, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) filed 21 charges against him, including possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of cocaine and cannabis, and money laundering.

Erickson strongly challenged the prosecution’s evidence. The Crown relied heavily on WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged between Erickson and co-accused Jose Almestica, along with forensic voice analysis reports and witness testimony.

His defence team argued that the WhatsApp messages and related reports constituted “hearsay upon hearsay” and lacked sufficient legal or expert foundation. They further disputed the credibility of a witness who claimed to identify Erickson by the aliases “WestBank” and “BandSpatron”, asserting that the evidence was inadmissible and unreliable.

Citing multiple precedents from UK appellate courts and the Privy Council, the defence insisted that extrajudicial statements, particularly those from a co- accused, should not be used to implicate their client.

Erickson was quietly released from custody and remained in the Territory at the time of his death. The DPP has not publicly shared the status of his case to date.

As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been announced. Police urge the public with any information to make contact. Meanwhile, inquiries into the fatal shooting are ongoing.

 

 

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