Funding, staffing and global impacts are the three major challenges facing the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), according to Financial Comptroller Mr Errol Jones. Photo: BVIHSA

(L-R) Talking Points Co-hosts Damion C. Grange, Elvin G. Grant, and guests Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Dr June M. Samuel and BVIHSA Financial Comptroller Mr Errol Jones. Photo: Facebook

Mr Jones and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the BVIHSA, Dr June M. Samuel, were guests on Talking Points on ZBVI 780 AM on Monday, January 19, 2026. 

Co-host Elvin G. Grant asked Mr Jones about the challenges the BVIHSA is facing. 

He prefaced his answer by saying that the best healthcare providers across the world have their challenges regarding financial funding, regarding the cost of healthcare. 

“We are living in a dynamic environment now where you have the cost of healthcare going up, logistics, suppliers, ecetera and so right across the world, healthcare providers are facing challenges.”

VI has its own challenges

The BVIHSA has its own challenges, he said, adding, “We are smart enough to look at our finances in a very profound way and also to make some financial decisions as we navigate the choppy waters.”

The first challenge the BVIHSA is facing is funding.

“The government on a whole across the world have challenges in terms of funding, and so we have to navigate those waters very carefully and make sure we provide service to our patients.”

The second challenge, Mr Jones said, is staffing. 

“When you look at what is happening across the region and globally, the BVI has some challenges in recruiting workers. And so again, we would have to look carefully at how to manage those types of resources and the type of people that we would recruit.”

As for the third challenge, Mr Jones said it has to do with what is happening globally in terms of healthcare and how the BVIHSA can plan to implement new services. 

Becoming financially sustainable

Dr Samuel added that sustainable funding that works for the VI is the fundamental challenge the BVIHSA is facing.

“There are different models and…it is not unique to us, everywhere is trying to grapple with what’s the best funding model.”

She explained that the BVIHSA is a statutory body that is not “revenue-earning” or revenue-generating” as it was never set up that way. 

“I think it is part of our vision as we move forward, that yes, we have to, and the government has been very clear to us that we must get to the place where we generate revenues.”

Dr Samuel said the goal is for the BVIHSA to become financially sustainable, though not necessarily to make a profit. 

“[We need to] definitely sustain ourselves and be a little less dependent on government, so that is a key strategic goal for the organisation, and that is why getting the strategic plan done was important because we all have to have the same focus moving forward.”

She added that if there are financial challenges and there is a desire to hire the best and most competent staff, “you have to be able to attract those staff”.