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UPDATE: 'Scheduling conflicts' blamed for snubbing of NHI petitioners

- Premier Smith said it would be good for group to hold talks with Hon Skelton
Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith has denied snubbing the group of concerned citizens and residents with whom he was to have met today Friday October 9, 2015 to receive a petition with hundreds of signatures seeking to send the National Health Insurance back to the drawing board. Photo: VINO/File
The planned meeting between the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group and Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith which had been scheduled for tomorrow Friday October 9, 2015 has been cancelled. Photo: VINO/File
The planned meeting between the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group and Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith which had been scheduled for tomorrow Friday October 9, 2015 has been cancelled. Photo: VINO/File
Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru. Photo: VINO/File
Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru. Photo: VINO/File
The NHI will be fully implemented from January 1, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
The NHI will be fully implemented from January 1, 2016. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith has denied snubbing the group of concerned citizens and residents with whom he was to have met today Friday October 9, 2015 to receive a petition with hundreds of signatures seeking to send the National Health Insurance (NHI) back to the drawing board.

At a sit down session yesterday October 8, 2015, the Premier assured the media that he was unable to meet with the group because of scheduling conflicts and that he was still willing to meet with them.

However, when he was told that the group received a message saying that the Premier’s Office could not fix a time for the meeting and that they should perhaps meet with Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton, he agreed that this was a suitable course of action for the group to take.

“As a matter of fact it should be good for them to speak with the Minister [for] Health. That does not mean that they won’t speak with me,” he said.

“It was due to scheduling conflicts. As I said to them we are willing to meet with anyone to answer any questions but it was because of scheduling conflicts that [it was cancelled],” he said. “My secretary will be getting in touch with them about a new date very soon,” he said.

Premier Smith's itinerary yesterday included the contract renewal signing with Aqua Design (BVI) Ltd at the Office of the Premier, ceremony for the Great Festival Sloop Shootout and Heritage Regatta Awards at Nanny Cay and a 'one-on-one' with media personnel at the Office of the Premier.

Asked whether the NHI is a done deal, Premier Smith said that the NHI is something that is good for the people of the territory and that his Government will listen to anyone with suggestions or recommendations. “You would appreciate that some of the comments that are being made are easily rebutted,” he said.

Contacted today on the statements by Premier Smith, Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru who started the petition said he had no comment at this time.

See previous article published October 8, 2015:

UPDATE: Premier Smith snubs NHI petitioners!

- group allegedly told that Premier will not be available & that they should attempt instead to reach Minister for Health & Social Development Hon Ronnie W. Skelton

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The planned meeting between the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group and Premier Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith which had been scheduled for tomorrow Friday October 9, 2015 has been cancelled.

This was revealed in a press statement from the group last evening October 7, 2015. The meeting would have seen the handing over of a petition with almost 700 or so signatures asking for the National Health Insurance (NHI) to be taken back to the drawing board to address a myriad of concerns.

According to the statement, the group was informed that the meeting originally scheduled with the Premier has been cancelled.

“On Wednesday 7th October someone from the Premier’s Office called to say that the Premier was no longer available for the meeting originally scheduled for Friday 9th October at 11am. Attempts to reschedule a date were made, but the Premier’s office indicated that there was no available date in the near future and suggested that attempts be made to meet with the Minister of Health and Social Development,” the statement said.

“Considering that the petition is addressed to the Premier, the head of the local government, every attempt will be made to reschedule a meeting with him in an effort to voice the concerns of hundreds of residents of the Virgin Islands,” the statement concluded.

This is a slight setback but we will not be deterred from our goal. The Premier publicly committed to a meeting and we expect that he will honour that commitment. We are disappointed that no other date was offered by the Premier’s Office but we will continue to press for a meeting,” said the main driver behind the group Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru.

See previous article published on October 6, 2015:

NHI Petition to be handed to Premier Smith on Friday

- NHI Concerned Citizens & Residents Group hopes Premier will act on their recommendations

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The sojourn of the National Health Insurance (NHI) petition which was started by social commentator and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College lecturer Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru is close to the end as it will finally be handed to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith on Friday October 9, 2015.

This is according to a press release issued yesterday October 5, 2015 by the NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group.

“The [Group] has scheduled a meeting with the Premier [Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith on Friday October 9, 2015 at 11am. A small delegation will present the Premier with a petition with hundreds of names asking that the government go back to the drawing board with the NHI,” said the release.

“A presentation outlining the compelling reasons for such a request will be conducted and, hopefully, a productive dialogue with the Premier will ensue,” it said.

The NHI Concerned Citizens and Residents Group is requesting that members of the public who have not had the opportunity to sign the petition would go to the website https://www.change.org/p/dr-hon-d-orlando-smith-premier-of-the-virgin-islands-stop-the-nhi-and-go-back-to-the-drawing-board and do so.

“This is an opportunity to influence a decision on a life-changing government initiative with potentially detrimental consequences,” it said.

In a comment to this news site last evening, Wheatley expressed optimism that the Premier will see reason and take the requested action.

“We are happy for the meeting and we hope that after careful consideration the Premier will engage all stakeholders and go back to the drawing board for a more satisfying solution to the majority of Virgin Islanders,” said Wheatley.

In an earlier comment to this news site, Premier Smith had said that he needed to see what the petition comes with before he could decide on a course of action. The NHI is to be fully implemented from January 1, 2016.

Letter to Premier Smith

The petition had attached to it a letter addressed to Premier Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith expounding on all of the concerns regarding the NHI and what should be done. It read:

“Dr. Hon. D. Orlando Smith, Premier of the Virgin Islands

“We, the undersigned, petition the Premier, the Head of the Government of the Virgin Islands in regards to the National Health Insurance scheme, which is slated to start on January 1st 2016. The following issues are of concern to us:

“The National Health Insurance scheme is mandatory for all persons residing in the Virgin Islands, and, therefore, may result in 60% of the population losing the private insurance provided through their employers who more than likely would not pay for both.

“The National Health Insurance scheme will restrict choice as it pertains to health care providers.

“The National Health Insurance scheme will more than likely result in the layoff of some employees working in the private health insurance industry.

“The National Health Insurance scheme will place an additional burden on small businesses, which may find it difficult to pay contributions to the scheme.

“The National Health Insurance scheme will increase the cost of living.

“The government has not presented evidence to the public that the National Health Insurance scheme will be viable and sustainable.

“Considering these factors, we, the undersigned, call on the Premier to halt the implementation of the NHI in its current form and initiate negotiations with the private insurance industry, employers, employees, citizens and residents and relevant government entities to create an insurance package that can provide coverage for the 40% of Virgin Islanders uninsured, allowing those who are satisfied with their private insurance to keep it,” the letter concluded.

37 Responses to “UPDATE: 'Scheduling conflicts' blamed for snubbing of NHI petitioners”

  • shaw (06/10/2015, 07:48) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    oh boy nothing will be done anyway
  • answer (06/10/2015, 08:54) Like (45) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am still waiting for them to answer Zan Lewis question. What part does the patients play in deciding where they go to get overseas care? they bla, bla, but they still didn`t answer. That was an excellent question.
    • @ ANSWER (06/10/2015, 12:01) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      YOU HAVE A LONG WAIT BOSSIE
    • Hmmmmm (07/10/2015, 08:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      The patient do not have no roll to play at a meeting about two years ago they clearly stated that if it come to a situation that you have to see a doctor over seas it's their decision they will send you to a doctor that they are link too so the patient don't have a choi
  • Patient (06/10/2015, 09:07) Like (22) Dislike (17) Reply
    NHI. Done deal, Time for us to adjust. I realize a lot of BVI Doctors didn`t sign on, wonder why. Its here, its here to stay, I will encourage all doctors in spite of their personal feelings, think of their patients and sign on. My Local doctor didn't sign on, I am in the process of looking for another doctor. I am not going to pay my cash when I have insurance.
  • peace (06/10/2015, 12:46) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well it's a reason why they did not sign on. You think everybody are fools. Think again.
  • Not Right (06/10/2015, 14:15) Like (40) Dislike (3) Reply
    My problem with NHI 1. it should not be manditory 2. will taxes be dropped (cause i'm paying three hundred dollars plus already in taxes every month, plus social security etc...) plus rent and a young child to take care of, so will taxes be dropped to a lower rate? cause my NHI $92.00, taxes $340, social security $110 equals (I dead) $542 to the government and I can't go to them to ask them for sh&t and I haven't even added in my rent and groceries etc..., are they crazy? gots to be kidding me.
    • Lily Ann (06/10/2015, 23:23) Like (20) Dislike (15) Reply
      What Kinda taxes u paying ??? u got 3 jobs??? The only way your taxes is so high its because your paycheque is sky high as well.... so u MAKING it ... stop complaining !!!
    • chad (08/10/2015, 10:14) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      The Premier cannot make time to meet with the his employers?
  • WATERMAN (07/10/2015, 20:25) Like (2) Dislike (25) Reply
    accept the change, every disappointment is for a good it will work out in the long run, so just embrace the flipping NHI.
  • Poor show (08/10/2015, 08:28) Like (34) Dislike (2) Reply
    It seems to be one of the roles of government is to listen to its people. All Dr. Smith had to do was to listen to what they had to say. Instead, he chose to disrespect them by opting to not appear without providing anything like a legitimate sounding excuse particularly since he could have said he would not attend to begin with. So, the message is it's a done deal, and I ain't going to bother listening to people about it. How is that good governance?
  • ann (08/10/2015, 08:36) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    BUT ME DONE SAY ITS A DONE DEAL SO WHY MEET?
  • Yes (08/10/2015, 08:46) Like (26) Dislike (5) Reply
    You really thought he was going to keep that meeting. When MVW know he have meeting with real people you can be sure he going to cancel it. Quick poll: if any Minister cancelled on you lately name it here:

    MVW cancelled twice on my this year once in June then I could reschedule then again last month

    Ronnie cancelled on me twice last month

    Mark cancelled 1 in August and each attempt to reschedule is three months away.

    Keep this going let me know if your political leaders are not interest on seeing their people
    • Tortola (08/10/2015, 10:07) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
      TORTOLA PEOPLE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DONT EVER STAND UP FOR THERE RIGHTS, THATS WHY THE LEADERS DO AS THEY PLEASE CAUSE THEY KNOW THE PEOPLE WILL MAKE NOISE FOR A WHILE AND THEN STOP... YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER YOU GUYS VOTED THEM IN... THEY ARENT ANY BETTER THAN YOU, THEY ARE NORMAL PEOPLE JUST LIKE US. STOP ALLOWING THEM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE ... ONLY IN TORTOLA THIS KINDA STUFF HAPPENS.... THEY TELL YOU WHAT YOU WANNA HEAR TO BE ELECTED AND NOW THEY DONT WANNA HEAR NOTHING YOU HAVE TO SAY. ITS A DIRTY GAME PEOPLE, YOU HAVE TO STAND UP TO THEM AND FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!
  • True (08/10/2015, 09:39) Like (3) Dislike (26) Reply
    Common sense prevails at last, where in the world can you honestly expect to address the head of the country about a piece of law thats been passed with a silly online petition that doesn't even have 3% of the countries signatures, and most of them can't even vote. This boy needs to get over his rich privileged self always reverting to his african name yet lives in luxury here.
  • ccc (08/10/2015, 09:54) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Good for ayo you people voted for them now take what you all getting
  • chad (08/10/2015, 10:05) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    he is a soft coward.
  • peace (08/10/2015, 10:05) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Don't worry the hand of the Lord will move them himself. Watch and see
  • Len (08/10/2015, 10:06) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Not Right you asked a good question "will taxes be dropped" as the added NHI will no doubt put an extra burden on us taxpayers and the small businesses (weather the current administration want to accept this logic or not). I was thinking that the government can reduce tax from 8% to 6% and that 2% tax break can be used by us tax payers to go towards NHI. I am aware that tax commences after $10,000.00 in earnings but such a move will still help us. In addition, Social Security contribution can also be reduced from 4% to 3%.

    As a nation, what we don't want is for government to keep implementing tax regime that will leave us with little or no money in our pockets. And by the look of things that's the direction we are heading. Our government present mentality "I SAY SO, SO IT IS SO"!
  • what (08/10/2015, 11:25) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    NO ONE TO TURN TOO poor we the people
  • wow (08/10/2015, 11:44) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    This shouldn't shock anybody. If they can't report to the public on matters of the country that may or will affect us is meeting physically with the ppl? That's why I does pass all them backside straight when I see them.

    I notice something for the past week & change & all it did is solidify the views of many the gov only know you when is election time. During election they were hot hot digging up roads and fixing quick quick. Now look at the stretch from Treasure Isle till by the festival grounds, look at the condition of road we driving on day after day. Set of jokers calling themselves a gov. When your leader can't lead what do you expect :/
    • Guest (08/10/2015, 12:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      And you passing them straight means what? You think they give a s***? You is a nobody. Boss half the people you hate don't know and the ones that know don't give a s***. So you just wasting your energy, cause at the end of the day they will still build their big houses down island to vacation and buy the several in Florida, life will go on while BVI people grumble behind them.(I often laugh when they talk about spending local accusing the middle class for the couple cents they spend in St. Thomas and they and their friends pumping truck loads of money out the territory investing overseas)
  • Yes (08/10/2015, 13:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    them goin soon make we gah geh "manditory" chips lol.... Illuminati
  • voter (08/10/2015, 14:10) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder if the premier knows that he was put in office to serve the people who put him there . He and his government seem to be dictatiors. What he has done is disrespect to the people of this territory. No wonder the house in Hong Cong. Easy to learn the communist principles from China. Guess patients will have to be continually sent to Bouganvilla for tests. Under this scheme there will never be working machines in the hospital. Why do we have to take pictures for everything with health? Not too long ago a health card had to beaquired with a photograph.now the NHI again with a photograph.Which one will be used? Who is making the money from these electronic cards? People want answers.
  • Help (08/10/2015, 14:29) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time is so hard that even my dog will have to look work.
  • facts man (08/10/2015, 15:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

    NDP FULL OF $h*t BUT THERE IS ANOTHER ELECTION

  • . (09/10/2015, 04:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad thing is you all will still vote them in next election when they brainwash you...not promoting violence but other countries protest for this kinda thing. They making sure their voices heard and the leaders take notice but these politicians know that's not happening. I hope when people start to leave (BVIslanders and non BVIslanders) by the droves they will see. Stop shoving things down the people throats and listen. And the person before is right, they making their money and investing so they and their families SET and when they get sick they still will fly out but they want to play like they're our Maker to decide if we stay or go...I will try my best to keep my insurance cause I don't want my life in their hands...
  • liberal (09/10/2015, 14:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    As leader of his party/government & our country Dr. Smith has now let me down not to deal with people directly since we know him to be a people's person but if he can't handle the heat of this matter it means that he has a serious problem with his ministers of government..
  • Schedule (09/10/2015, 19:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Last time I saw Dr. Smith in public, he was trailed by a personal assistant. It would seem that her duties do not include maintaining his schedule. Besides, you'd think that at one time when he practiced medicine, he learned how to schedule his time....
  • .. (10/10/2015, 00:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    Dr. Smith when you will stop being a li*rd....You fully was aware of the meeting and you pulled out wanted to send another member...All i have to say the truth will come out sooner than you all NDP thick and the public will see the true meaning of what you all are...just remember their is a GOD and what goes around comes back AROUND....

  • Lord o (10/10/2015, 08:00) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    NHI is a very good thing for us. change will always meet resistance. Some People are selfish. All about themselves. Don't care about their neighbors. Don't care about others. My two concerns with NHI. 1/ the Cap needs to go let people pay as they own. The rich will be the one who will eat up all NHI funs. They won't be going to Peebles. They won't be going to local doctors. P.A.Y.E. take off the cap or increase to $10, 000.00
  • Patching tyres (10/10/2015, 08:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maybe they should replace the Hospital board with NHI board those who sit and decide if we should get overseas care are not. So they can get a better understanding of whats going on there and who goes there. Work to improve. First. They need a lot more private rooms. They have all kind of unnecessary things in it. That should have been private rooms. The nurses and Doctors are good. They need proper 24 hrs supervision. The supervision is poor. Then they need a patients care privacy and confidentiality code. That's one of my reasons why I hate going there. They chat too much...Its time for a new board. Get a New NHI Start. Fresh board. Fresh ideas. New focus. We can't always patch the tire when there is a hole because we in love with the tire. At some point changing it is the best way forward.
  • NHI a good vision. (11/10/2015, 13:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Private insurance give some people hell. While others get to go where they wish. I get hell from my private insurance company. All I can say. I'm so happy for NHI. This is a good vision. Time will prove it to be.


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