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‘Visitors burden our health care system’ - Winston E. Nibbs

- said the territory has been over generous with its visiting friends to the point where the system is burdened
The territory’s medical services and facilities for health care are being unduly burdened by the influx of foreigners to the detriment of Virgin Islanders. This is the view of Winston E. Nibbs aka La Fontey. Photo: VINO/File
Nibbs was sharing a panel with Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Bishop John I. Cline on the radio show Speak Out BVI on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday November 17, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
Nibbs was sharing a panel with Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Bishop John I. Cline on the radio show Speak Out BVI on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday November 17, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
“So I’m asking the question. Is it that we have been over generous with our visiting friends that has caused us to be in this debacle,” Nibbs asked. Photo: VINO/File
“So I’m asking the question. Is it that we have been over generous with our visiting friends that has caused us to be in this debacle,” Nibbs asked. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The territory’s medical services and facilities for health care are being unduly burdened by the influx of foreigners to the detriment of Virgin Islanders.

This is the view of Winston E. Nibbs aka La Fontey who was sharing a panel with Chairman of the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) Bishop John I. Cline on the radio show Speak Out BVI on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday November 17, 2015.

The show was hosted by Doug Wheatley and also had on the panel Natalio D. Wheatley aka Sowande Uhuru and Edmund G. Maduro and the topic of discussion was health care.

Nibbs was adamant on his position that foreigners cause the system undue burdens.

“Haven’t we been giving away what belongs to us to our visiting friends to the point where we have been over generous and isn’t that what is creating some of the [problems] right now?” asked Nibbs.

He said that there are people for one reason or another that have to be brought to the country to participate in various aspects of the economy and this he respects.

“We are respectful of them as brothers and sisters but when we go to their country we as non citizens are not necessarily privileged as citizens,” he said.

“So I’m asking the question. Is it that we have been over generous with our visiting friends that has caused us to be in this debacle?” he asked.

It's a myth

However, in response to the question, Bishop Cline said that anyone who cannot prove that they are a citizen of the VI cannot access care for free.

“Now before we raised rates what they had access to was very, very inexpensive health care. Let’s say they came in and had to spend a night at the hospital. Before we raised rates it was $25 for everybody. But no one who is not a BVIslander cannot access care for free, even if they are over 65,” he said.

Cline said that the idea that non-citizens are burdening the health care system is “a myth.”

25 Responses to “‘Visitors burden our health care system’ - Winston E. Nibbs ”

  • True (19/11/2015, 09:00) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Actually Bishop Cline is incorrect people from the UK over 70 can use the hospital free of charge due to the same happening if any BVIslander goes to the UK of that age, reciprocal health care agreement. Facts
    • Lily Ann (19/11/2015, 09:51) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      And Until then .. we are still under UK jurisdiction ... so he should humble himself !!!
  • HAHA (19/11/2015, 09:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Burdening or propping up?!?
  • son of the soil (19/11/2015, 09:26) Like (5) Dislike (20) Reply
    Those freebie loving island people will always take advantage of the system.
    • Hmm (19/11/2015, 09:45) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      @son of the soil... its only fair after centuries of oppression and slavery by the very same system, F them and their ministers. They and their seed have to deal with karma, u cant lie, cheat and steal from people for so long and think it wouldnt come back to bite you...... just look at the refugee problem going on now.
    • Elizabeth (19/11/2015, 09:48) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      Check yourself expats come from over 100 countries to our islands. We have been over generous and need to stop before we implement the NHI. Also, we need to get rid of the death panel of the NHI. Let us not play God with anyone's life.
  • is true! (19/11/2015, 09:43) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Some foreigners bring their elderly and kids here and use the health services. How much of the accounts receivable for HSA that is $23mil is because of outsiders vs. locals? That would be a good stat to determine!
    • U know (28/11/2015, 18:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There was a time when the system was ABUSED an MISUSED from 6:00 pm - 6:00 am because persons were told they didn't have to pay fees at that specific time of day, so no records to show but services rendered (many babies were born) an medicines used and not paid for this I know (ask for the MEDICAL BILLS).
  • wize up (19/11/2015, 12:27) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    can a restriction be implemented where once over 70 year you can only have free health care if you have been a long term resident of the Virgin Islands and did contribute to our social security system....some form of discount can be offered to those persons seeking health services but are simply visiting our territory ( it should not be free simply because those persons did not contribute to our economy )
    • Yes (19/11/2015, 15:25) Like (9) Dislike (5) Reply

      BVI people should thank their lucky stars that non indigenous people work as doctors at that ghetto a&& hospital. Has anyone here ever dealt with a doctor born and raised here? I'd rather see an African witch doctor. Anytime you have unqualified board members like C**** you're going to have unqualified indigenous doctors.

      You couldn't pay me to use that facility. I'd swim to Puerto Rico first.

      Secondly what's with all the AKA names either go by one or another tired of seeing all the AKA crap.

      This is LOL, Aka Sam's Biscuits aka Chaka Fula aka rubber duckey aka mr doubtfire signing off.

  • hiya (19/11/2015, 14:27) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Isn't it that everyone paying taxes. Taxes are meant to be spend on basic needs of the people.
    Government should not aim to operate like the private sector. The aim of the private sector is to make a profit. Government aim to meet the needs of the people.
  • J's rules (19/11/2015, 16:00) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    U r saying coming and burden the system but look at most of the people that say they r from here goes to the us and fight for wick and have better health care
  • Heavy Load (19/11/2015, 18:47) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    They burden the judicial system,social services,educational system...Simply put, they are a burden not worth carrying.
  • Precious (19/11/2015, 19:17) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    If they could come in by BOAT LOADS to VOTE when ELECTIONS , why can't they come and access FREE HEALTH CARE .
  • URGENT Plea (19/11/2015, 22:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    As for FREE Health Care, residents in South Valley, Virgin Gorda are not looking for that right now. We just want those responsible for our health services to pay attention to what is happening with the overwhelming amount of house flies that are taking over. The area has no designated dump site, and the illegal one in the community is creating havoc, so we need an immediate solution to rid us of the large influx of flies. Please, somebody deal with this matter urgently. We also pay taxes.
    • LCS (20/11/2015, 17:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Flies come as a result of garbage, lack of sanitation, lack of cleanliness. There is the root of them. Now look for the solution... Generate less garbage, recycle, reuse. That is the answer.
  • Charley Rose (19/11/2015, 23:36) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pastor Cline and company need to examine the facts clearly. If you examine the debt that is owed to the Health service you will see that BVI islander are the greatest defaulters. They are refusing to pay their bills because the will tell the cashier that they born here and leave without paying. That is a matter that needs to be addressed.
    I can recall there was a young man who had spent considerable time in the hospital because perhaps his relatives did not want to take care of him and many others from here who spent extended time in the institution without paying and they were locals
  • rewrsdffds (20/11/2015, 04:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Boy Nibbs you certainly is preparing to run for a political office I got news for you ......you ain't ready. How could you call them "brothers and sisters" then stabbing them in the back at the same time?.
    • for real (20/11/2015, 17:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      For starters this Nibbs fella is himself is an expat. He is Antiguan and should not be confused with the Nibbs klan of Tortola for more than a century and who are intelligent and well respected professionals and business owners.
      There is only one Myron Walwyn and that is it. This other Antiguan needs to get lost quick. His presence on the political front will diminish MW's presence and cause a backlash .
    • vudo (21/11/2015, 21:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's what politicians do.... Mabe he is ready
  • WHY? (20/11/2015, 04:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is he talking about White expats or black? Why are they blaming expats for his lack of success. Why Ronnie still have this man at the top of our health service.?
  • send them home. (20/11/2015, 04:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We will form a new political party..leader Frazer, Delores, Archie. Cline, Irene, Maduro, Nibbs, Sam. Walters, Malone, O'Neal, Potter. Flax, Pado.. Clean up the country. More work, more money for locals
  • The Monster (20/11/2015, 04:58) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I've been an open critic of our health board and an open advocate to eliminate it and send it back yo the ministry with Czar over seeing it...All the board do is talk and create division amongst people of difference, Waste our money with lots of big salary employees, contracts and benefits then go on a fishing trip for money. I was really hoping VIP would fix it..Under NDP the Monster has grown to big to control..


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