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Bring on the NHI – Laurie A. Rymer

-concerns being reviewed by government
Mr Laurie A. Rymer opined that government should move forward with the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, which he saed if not done could cause the Territory to face major financial issues. Photo: VINO
'So what you are saying is that since you have taken it back to the drawing board, when you are complete with those revisions you are coming back to the public, to the entire BVI community to have discussions?” questioned this Virgin Gorda resident. Health Minister Ronnie W. Skelton said such was going to be the case. Photo: VINO
'So what you are saying is that since you have taken it back to the drawing board, when you are complete with those revisions you are coming back to the public, to the entire BVI community to have discussions?” questioned this Virgin Gorda resident. Health Minister Ronnie W. Skelton said such was going to be the case. Photo: VINO
The issue of Government's proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme did not fail to go unmentioned at the recent public meeting held on Virgin Gorda despite the topic for discussion was that of the proposed new $4.5M Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic in the community. Photo: VINO
The issue of Government's proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme did not fail to go unmentioned at the recent public meeting held on Virgin Gorda despite the topic for discussion was that of the proposed new $4.5M Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic in the community. Photo: VINO
The discussion continued even after the meeting was concluded as some residents sought further clarification from Hon Ronnie Skelton. Photo: VINO
The discussion continued even after the meeting was concluded as some residents sought further clarification from Hon Ronnie Skelton. Photo: VINO
YACHT HARBOUR, Virgin Gorda, VI – The issue of the National Democratic Party (NDP) government's proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) did not fail to go unmentioned at the recent public meeting held in Virgin Gorda despite the topic for discussion was that of the proposed new $4.5M Nurse Iris O’Neal Clinic.

It was during the question and answer period that member of the audience Mr Laurie A. Rymer opined that government should move forward with the NHI, which he said if not done can cause the Territory to face major financial issues.

“I think if we are going to realise a major hospital on Tortola, and a medical Centre here on Virgin Gorda we have to also couple it with the National Health Insurance. We cannot get away from it, and as far as I am concerned I intend to spread the word far and wide because if we go ahead with the initiative that we are embarking upon, to open a major hospital with no National Health Insurance, we are going to bankrupt our country,” said Mr Rymer.

He went on further to examine the finances of the health and other sectors which he said gives evidence of the sad state of spending by government to maintain the health sector of the Virgin Islands. “If we take the payroll of the Virgin Islands which is some 400 million dollars, if we take seven and a half percent of that then we are talking $30 million. At present we are spending 33 million dollars on health services. So I want to commend this government, I think you are on the right track, you have my fullest support.”

Rymer further noted, “I think that people on Virgin Gorda can finally see that the end of the road, the end of the tunnel, that this is something that we have been longing for many many years and as far as I am concerned, lip services. You said that this is going to cost four and a half million dollars. Do you know that we spend six million on the greenhouse system on Tortola that has produced absolutely nothing, what is worse Mr Minister we have signed away the rights to the greenhouses, have signed the rights for it to produce whatever it has to produce over to foreigners and we cannot produce anything there unless we pay them out some large sum of money. This is a sad thing; this is a disgrace for our country.”

Another resident, while not saying whether or not she was in support of the NHI, sought to have clarification on the proposal and whether or not residents of Virgin Gorda have had or would have the opportunity to peruse the booklet that was prepared by the government. “So what you are saying is that since you have taken it back to the drawing board, when you are complete with those revisions you are coming back to the public, to the entire BVI community to have discussions?” questioned the resident, to which the Minister for Health and Social Development Hon. Ronnie W. Skelton responded in the affirmative.

Elaborating on the issue, Hon. Skelton said that the cost of health care in the Virgin Islands cannot be sustained the way it is currently happening. He said that on a daily basis people drop from health insurances, they have pre-existing conditions “there are all kinds of complications that people have that they need medical care and a country as the BVI we cannot sit back and don’t give access to care by those who can’t afford it.”

Hon. Skelton further noted that the Virgin Islands needs a comprehensive system to form and finance the health care system. “It makes no sense we continue to be selfish and individual about it, it will come home to roost. You will lose your job one day, you will have no insurance for you and your family and the insurance companies, regardless of what they say, they are interested in their bottom line. A country, a government has a responsibility to all of the people to give them a full health care at international standards and that’s what we are trying to achieve.”

He said that in the Virgin Islands, approximately 60-65% of residents are uninsured.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering added, “We cannot continue to pay for the services the way we are going, we are going to go broke.”  

He stressed the importance of every resident of Virgin Gorda being present whenever a meeting is called to discuss the NHI because of its importance. “Despite what has been said, what negative things have been said, the health of our country depends very much on having that National Health Insurance scheme.”

Hon Pickering said that while there are issues that have to be sorted out, he has to stand and support the concept of the NHI.

9 Responses to “Bring on the NHI – Laurie A. Rymer”

  • ta ta (09/05/2013, 14:16) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    rymer a blast from the pass
  • ccc (09/05/2013, 14:22) Like (2) Dislike (20) Reply
    The NHI is just another needless expense on the people of the BVI that can be attributed to the seemingly cold relationship between smith and ronnie
    • old glory (09/05/2013, 17:32) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Actually that is where we are headed.

      • overseas (10/05/2013, 08:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        These are the lowest forms of people we have among us, who do not understadn the importance of the NHI...trust me its needed

      • bird watch (10/05/2013, 08:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, you are raising ducks
  • virgin gorda (09/05/2013, 14:25) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
    Rymer a dead horse...Why am I not surprised by any of this ????
    • virgin gorda (09/05/2013, 17:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      let us see what comes out of teh NIA delay
    • ring (10/05/2013, 09:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      with nothing but HATE because he did not get elected...he better help the VIP get the NDP out of office from wasting time on another failed NDP programme
  • DADDY FRIDAY (09/05/2013, 17:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where did the good people of the bvi get the impression that Dr. Smith was weak and Ronnie projects were untouchable?



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