The ever vocal public activist Mr Edmund G. Maduro (right) has turned his attention to Governor John S. Duncan OBE as he continues to publicly voice his disagreement with the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI). Photo: VINO/File

Many persons have been expressing their concerns over NHI in its current state even as Government ploughs ahead with the implementation of the scheme. Registration began on September 1, 2015 and the scheme is to be fully implemented on January 1, 2016. Photo: VINO/File

Speaking on his EGM show on ZROD 103.7 FM on Thursday September 24, 2015, Mr Maduro said Governor Duncan has not voiced or shared any objection to NHI in its current proposed state.

Many persons have been expressing their concerns over NHI in its current state even as Government ploughs ahead with the implementation of the scheme. Registration began on September 1, 2015 and the scheme is to be fully implemented on January 1, 2016.

“It’s just as Mr Alred C. Frett has asked. Is he (Governor) trying to get us back into colonialism or is he trying to improve on the system of government that we have?” questioned Mr Maduro.

The talk show host and former Chief Immigration Officer referred to the concerns being expressed about NHI and other issues in the territory as ‘a serious stage of development’. “I am begging you please not to forget Mr Theodore Faulkner from Anegada. Remember he started his movement on poor hospital treatment, poor hospital treatment of his wife.”

In the 1950’s Mr Faulkner had led a protest in Road Town after he and his pregnant wife were reportedly refused immediate medical treatment on their arrival on the main island of Tortola after sailing all day from Anegada on a sloop.

Amend the constitution on Governor's immunity

Mr Maduro then mounted a call for a constitutional change that would allow persons to challenge the Governor of the Virgin Island in a court of law.

“There is provision in the constitution where the governor cannot be taken to court for anything he does wrong and that is abusive. That needs to be removed from our constitution.”

Mr Maduro was at the time addressing issues as it relates to NHI, something he says is a good initiative but needs to be approached differently. He is of the view that a person’s constitutional right to life and freedom to choose a health care facility or doctor is being violated by the proposed NHI in its current state.

 “The Governor is a man like everybody else, he is a man like the 13 Representatives and whenever he does something wrong he must be punished for it because he knows better than what he is doing now,” alleged Mr Maduro who believes that the Governor’s failure to act on the reported displeasure of NHI by many persons is a dereliction of duty.

Meanwhile, Mr Maduro commended the stand taken by columnist Mr Alred C. Frett who, though being the owner of one of the largest medical establishments in the territory, has blasted the NHI in its current form.

Mr Maduro called on residents to personally compliment Mr Frett for the ‘honest’ stand he has adopted against NHI.