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‘Money talks’ – BVIHSA Chairman Bishop John I. Cline

- says the biggest challenge in delivering expectations at Peebles Hospital is getting the necessary monies
“One of the biggest challenges is having the money necessary to deliver the services that we want to and that we aspire to deliver to the people of the BVI,” said Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Bishop John I. Cline. Photo: VINO/File
“I would like to say to the Bishop that he has a big job, he is small but he got a big job and some of us watching to see how he get on you know! So, and I told him that already,” Hon O’Neal had said. Photo: VINO/File
“I would like to say to the Bishop that he has a big job, he is small but he got a big job and some of us watching to see how he get on you know! So, and I told him that already,” Hon O’Neal had said. Photo: VINO/File
The new Peebles Hospital was officially opened on December 17, 2014. Photo: VINO
The new Peebles Hospital was officially opened on December 17, 2014. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – “One of the biggest challenges is having the money necessary to deliver the services that we want to and that we aspire to deliver to the people of the BVI,” said Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Bishop John I. Cline.

Prompting this statement By Bishop Cline during a recent interview with this news site was the strong note made by Leader of the Opposition Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9) at the December 17, 2014 official opening ceremony of the new Peebles Hospital where he reminded Bishop Cline that many eyes are on him as one of the main men over the management of the healthcare facility.

“I would like to say to the Bishop that he has a big job, he is small but he got a big job and some of us watching to see how he get on, you know! And I told him that already,” Hon O’Neal had said.

“Healthcare is driven by money, whether it’s the quality of the doctors, having the medication on hand, good nurses, equipment, healthcare is driven by money. So one of the greatest challenges that we face is to have the proper revenue stream in place and along with government’s subsidy and hopefully the National Health Insurance (NHI) coming stream,” said Bishop Cline.

He said that at the BVIHSA they are hoping that one way they would be greatly aided with needed funding is the coming on stream of the NHI. “Because we have a beautiful facility now the whole thing is to deliver the services and that takes money,” said Cline.

There has been and continues to be much skepticism by many in trusting healthcare in the hands of the Peebles Hospital even as political and other leaders of the institution continue to push it as a facility that delivers on par with many others in other countries.

However Bishop Cline said that he is convinced that this is based on past experiences that many may have had that is causing such perceptions to continue. He is also optimistic that as time progresses quickly, this perception of the local hospital will change and more persons will opt to utilize Peebles as opposed to travelling overseas.

“I believe that is changing and those that are still standing on the sideline that are skeptical to go will find that if they give Peebles a try...their expectations are met or even exceeded,” he said.

33 Responses to “‘Money talks’ – BVIHSA Chairman Bishop John I. Cline”

  • chad (30/12/2014, 09:29) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    I want our healthcare to be excellent and I love the new hospital but the unnecessary millions the NDP cost we the people to get here needs to be investigated. Too many fat rats running around with our money from this initiative that is good but have bad people around it.
    • wize up (30/12/2014, 18:14) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      the hospital project began under the VIP; you had fat rats them so what is your point....the bigger picture, the people of the BVI now have a hospital and once developed and managed correctly our people will be able to remain at home and get good health care...everything in BVI these day is NDP/VIP
  • enough (30/12/2014, 09:33) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    These people involved with too much conflict of interest. The law seems to be enforced in the BVI once you are not an NDP or one of their cronies. The health system could have had all the money it needed but too much conflict of interest being allowed to go on unchecked.
  • give back (30/12/2014, 10:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe if some who talking give back some of the unethical money they made in the new hospital furnishing of different equipments then health care will have the money it needs to operate.
  • no way (30/12/2014, 10:09) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    In no way should NHI be used to fund the hospital operations. This is unethical.
  • tell the people the truth (30/12/2014, 10:14) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    could any one tell me why we a British dependency is following the US model for a hospital?
  • tell the people the truth (30/12/2014, 10:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    could any one tell me why we a British dependency is following the US model for a hospital?
    • Grant (03/01/2015, 01:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Because the way our hospital has been run SUCKS! Why do you think every time someone is really ill they send them OVERSEAS? It is because our previous hospital was third world and void of any updated equipment. Now we can stay home to get the service we need and hopefully get enough medical staff to fill these positions.
  • please (30/12/2014, 10:15) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    I don't want to hear this man no more. When the VIP was in power he was verbal in a negative way about most things they tried to do especially from his pulpit but now his partners in power & wrong means nothing to him anymore. I have lost respect for him due to his inconsistency.
  • sense (30/12/2014, 10:20) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    It is simple common sense. The locals want to become nurses, doctors etc. and they want to get paid top dollar once they return to work. However, the persons utilizing the Hospital Services do not want to pay the requisite rates for such service. At some point someone in the equation will suffer, it will either be staffing, equipment or the patients themselves. The only way healthcare works is when people who can pay, pay their share, with the minority, being those who cannot afford to pay, being taken care of in the appropriate manner. Talk doesn't get things done. The suppliers of equipment and medical stock want to be paid as they have employees and bills as well. It's a cycle so if its broken then someone suffers. BVI people need to step out of the bubble and into real life. The Hospital cannot pay its staff, other bills etc. when we have so much people on dialysis and other stuff FREE. Who pays?
    • @sense (31/12/2014, 09:53) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      that dialysis machine was DONATED! Secondly, read what you write..."he only way healthcare works is when people who can pay, pay their share, with the minority, being those who cannot afford to pay, being taken care of in the appropriate manner." Are you then saying the poor should get the poorest medical service because they can't afford it?? You talking about a "cycle" ....ask yourself why the poor is so poor they can't afford it? Could it be the system of Government and leadership in this country render them poor? When a man working for $4 per hour minimum wage and have house rent of $1,000 for a 2 bedroom apartment, we paying high electricity, water, food, tell me where he going to get the money?? AND LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DOCTORS, NURSES AND OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS....IF THEY BECAME A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL TO GET RICH QUICK THEY SHOULD NOT WASTE THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY'S TIME....HEALTH CARE IS NOT ABOUT MONEY....IT'S ABOUT SAVING LIVES....this is what's wrong with this country....people value system change to dollars and cents. this is sickening...!!!
  • ok my boy (30/12/2014, 10:32) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    Go tell your chinese minister partner to give back some of the money from them no good road paving equipment into the healthcare and we will be fine.
    • No (30/12/2014, 10:56) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
      Stop spreading rumors. Ronnie did not get that contract.
      • MCW (30/12/2014, 20:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        He sure did not. People listen to too much rumors in this God forsaken place.
        • @ No & @ MCW (31/12/2014, 14:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
          A guilty conscious needs no accuser because no one called Ronnie's name but who the cap fits let them wear it. Too much corruption going unchecked. We on the streets know the truth.
  • ccc (30/12/2014, 11:38) Like (0) Dislike (22) Reply
    Cline is a good man
  • bvi islander (30/12/2014, 15:39) Like (0) Dislike (13) Reply
    @ dog get a life even the four footed ones have a life !!!!!
    It will be one happy day in the BVI when we as citizens come to the realization that health care costs have risen astronomically, and services cannot be provided for a fraction of the cost anymore. The people on the board have realized that and it will be a task to collect money when people go for help and then don't want to pay. I don't care where you go medical care needs to be paid for. So for those of you who think John Cline is getting rich from this, he doesn't need it. He is just a born and bred BVI islander that wants nothing but the best for his island. So back off!!!!!!!!
    • hold on (30/12/2014, 23:39) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      If you think they aint get any major money then ask who supply the new hospital with certain things like the computers, LED lights, security, flat screen televisions, etc. to the tune of over two million dollars to the same person in different company names. This is total corruption and conflict of interest in our health care. The NDP has corrupted everything.
    • dog (01/01/2015, 00:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

      I am not talking about his being on the hospital board, I'm talking about his other endeavors. He controls a lot of money.

  • egg face (30/12/2014, 18:58) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea money and we know who getting it
  • Inside Edition (30/12/2014, 19:21) Like (25) Dislike (2) Reply
    The Chairman knows NOTHING about Health Services apart from what his peers feed him with, he's not medically inclined either, his job needs to be and STAY with Infinite Solution.
    • Hmmmmm (30/12/2014, 21:28) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
      you all just need to stop hitting on the man..jealosy is the biggest SIN
      • @hmmmm (31/12/2014, 14:12) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
        No one is jealous of this man but rather tired of him preaching one thing and doing a next and condemning others when he thinks they are wrong while getting away with his sins. As Chairman of the Health board he should avoid at ALL cost ALL situations of conflict of interest.
      • voter (04/01/2015, 08:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        Approving expenditures for himself from the "public" company under his stewardship is the height of crookery. The blame for this is squarely on the back of NDP and the Chinese Minister. This man's God is plain and simple money, nothing else but money. Sad that his sheep can't see he is no shepherd but a wolf.
  • Forerunner (03/01/2015, 01:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Hmmmmm, Get your head out of your buttocks. Everyone knows church and politics don't mix. Church is supposed to be for God and politics as we all know if full of the Devil. When the two mix there will be Hell to pay and Cline is right there in the mix. Trust him? I think NOT! A wolf in sheeps clothing will surely lead you to HELL!
  • W*F (06/01/2015, 11:07) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yeah. Money talks, and BS walks. That is why you all take from the poor to enlarge your pockets. You are a poor excuse for what is decent and human.
  • sad sad (07/01/2015, 13:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    All you come on here bashing Cl1ne. for the record he doesn't need to approve expenditures for himself without the rest of the board knowing about it. like someone said jealousy is rearing it's ugly head. but who is one of the first persons you all run to when all you backside need money??!!!!! STop hating. he doesn't need BVIHSA money he has enough of his own.



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