NHI registration period extended as 'last minute' crowd bulges
The crowd was a large one when this news site visited the office of the Social Security Board/National Health Insurance in Road Town, the Virgin Islands’ Capital City on the main island of Tortola.
When this news site made inquiries of the staff on the ground, they informed us that they were using a ticketing system. One of the personnel on the ground explained that everyone who had collected a number for today would be attended to, no matter how long it took during the day.
“The numbers that we have issued, we have to clear them. Until we clear them we can’t leave,” the NHI staffer said.
He said, however, that those who were not able to collect numbers should go home and return as early as possible tomorrow December 31, 2015, New Year’s Eve.
“We have stopped issuing tickets for the day. It means if you don’t have a ticket you have to come back very early tomorrow,” said the man.
“But I hearing that three days now,” said a young man in the line. “Yes you hearing that three days but what time you come during the three days? You need to come early,” the NHI staff fired back.
'We can't stop until we're finished'
In addition, the NHI officer informed this news site that the registration period will continue beyond the December 31, 2015 deadline until January 31, 2016. “We have to continue. If we are not finished we can’t stop. So don’t worry about what will happen after tomorrow,” the NHI staffer assured.
When this news site approached Deputy Director of the Social Security Board with responsibility for the NHI, Roy N. Barry for a comment, he said that he could not comment on anything at the time.
This news site made attempts to get a comment from Manager of Beneficiary and Advisory Services in the NHI Division Kishma A. Baronville, however, these attempts were unsuccessful.
It was observed by this news site that many persons were unaware that the NHI had a website by which registration can also be done. In fact many persons did not even know there was a website in existence, let alone know the website’s address.
“I am trying to find out the site. If I find out what is the website I will do it online,” said a young woman in the crowd.
“I want to know about the [healthcare] providers because if the NHI is not providing many places [for healthcare] I don’t see why they want people to give up their private insurance,” said a woman in the line.
No proper system
One woman suggested that there should have been a system set up not unlike what took place prior to the national elections, with registration taking place district by district.
One elderly woman, who moved to the VI from Canada years ago, was doing her part to assist persons in the crowd by holding up a board which she updated with the numbers being attended to.
When asked whether she was working with the NHI she said no but she was compelled to assist in her unique way as she said there was no proper system to inform people of the numbers being looked after.
You can find registration information on the NHI website here: http://www.vinhi.vg/registration/
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33 Responses to “NHI registration period extended as 'last minute' crowd bulges”
I went to come back at 3:30 and she were still holding her board and updating it every time the man come to call numbers. I ask her why she did it and she say she felt bad for people because everyone had to run from where they was to hear the numbers being called and it was too hot, they need to stay in the shade she said. She didn’t want nobody getting hurt with people pushing and shoving all the time trying to get close enough to hear the man.
A simple thing like a dry erase board was all someone had to do to make that horrible experience better for everyone except she self. She was in the hot sun all day long. I saw she when she were leaving and she were still smiling. Nearly 10 hours in the sun and all she did was help us. She even give the erase board to the man at NHI. She were old too and people a lot younger were complaining from the heat. She didn’t complain, she were nice to everyone and help us all.
The BVI has got to be one of the most disorganized and dysfunctional places I've ever come across. It's amazing to me that our society has not collapsed as yet.. Having said that, you all knew months ago when the deadline was. I went a few months ago and it was smooth sailing. Shame on you all.....
When someone is disrespectful or mean to me I wonder about what they are experiencing in their lives that would make them react that way. I am slow to judge and quick to forgive.