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

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

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.