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Doctors’ services to BVIHSA & private sector will soon be reviewed- Health Minister

- said some doctors have been 'taking advantage of the system'
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has announced that the government will soon review the operations of doctors working in both the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) and the private sector. Photo: floridapolitics.com
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said it is the responsibility of the government to provide clear options for doctors, 'allowing them to decide where they wish to work.' Photo: GIS/File
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has said it is the responsibility of the government to provide clear options for doctors, 'allowing them to decide where they wish to work.' Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has announced that the government will soon review the operations of doctors working in both the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) and the private sector.

His comments were made during the "Talking Points" programme on Monday, July 28, 2025, aired on ZBVI and Facebook Live.

He stated, "I attended the Ministers of Health Council in Dominica, and this issue arose. It's not just a problem there; it’s an issue across the Caribbean. Deciding how you want your healthcare to function is not a simple task. The same doctors who are providing care here behave differently in other places because the regulations vary."

Wheatley further said, "If I decided that, effective tomorrow, no doctors can work here while also practicing privately, then that’s the decision. There would be consequences to this choice, so you either adapt to it or recognise that this current system isn’t working for BVI healthcare and make a change."

He noted that "We haven’t reached that point yet because we are currently implementing other healthcare reforms at the hospital. However, I assure you that we will get there because people are taking advantage of the system. Right now, whether a doctor sees 10 patients, 50 patients, or just one, their pay remains the same."

'Doctors will need to make a choice'

The Minister emphasised that "The new system will alter this dynamic. The more patients a doctor sees, the more they can earn because they will be compensated based on the services provided."

He concluded by stating, "This represents a national implication of our current actions. Doctors will need to make a choice: will they work HSA or in the Private Sector? Our current approach is not sustainable. We can't continue on this path indefinitely; doctors must choose between the HSA and private practice."

However, he added that it is the responsibility of the government to provide clear options for doctors, “allowing them to decide where they wish to work."

16 Responses to “Doctors’ services to BVIHSA & private sector will soon be reviewed- Health Minister”

  • hnm (30/07/2025, 11:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wowwww
  • WOW (30/07/2025, 11:40) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    New world order. How do you think AI is going to take over. THIS is time folks. Trump signed a lot of evil bills. You all are closer to destruction than you think. Enjoy carnival next year will be different. You can't even come into tola without scanning a Qr code. Beast system (got the COVID 19 biotech weapon technology vaccine) then you can buy sell and trade
  • NONESENSE (30/07/2025, 12:07) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Crap! In a government sector. The more patient you see you more money uou make? How.
  • Hmmmm (30/07/2025, 12:16) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not sure if there will be any left...
  • BRAD BOYNES (30/07/2025, 14:28) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply

    Doctors been taking advantage of the system yes. Ask H**** Va******. He alone made millions in three years after the launch of NHI. The old people in the 50's and 60's would call his A$$ a rake. They got your health held hostage with the cost for dis-service.

  • Criminals (30/07/2025, 16:37) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    The minister needs to address the way that the private medical facilities overcharge patients. Why should I have to pay $50-$75 to get a copy of my prescription for my glasses and contact lenses after my examination? This is highway robbery.
  • whew (30/07/2025, 16:42) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    The more patients you see that is how much you will earn? Well YOU go be the doctor. Providers CAN be flexible and often have offices outside the hospital and practice in the hospital as needed. It’s call flexibility. With that, you’ll be able to have more than one income which is a plus, especially living in such an expensive country. This is why I cannot with this system. Maybe try increasing pay and you will retain more staff. Health is wealth! Providers work hard to get where they are to be paid nothing. And I’m not talking about the ones who riding the system, I am generally speaking. The BVI is expensive and healthcare is vital. So if you think you dictating, making a decision for providers to choose one will be great, think again! The people will sadly suffer. And I said what I said. Pay ur providers, nurses etc!!
  • Tola Mehson (30/07/2025, 16:55) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    DONT BLAME THEM, BLAME THE PRIVATE SECTORS HEALTH CARE FOR ALLOWING THIS UNETHICAL BEHVIOR.
    THEY ARE LURING PATIENT FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYETM TO PRIVATE WHICH CAUSE NHI TO DRAIN .
    ALOT OF PATIENT CAN TESTIFY THAT HOSPITAL DOCTORS REFER PARTIENT TO PRIVATE HEALTH CARE AND THEN GO AND CONSULT WITH THEM THERE.THEY GETTING A PERCENTAHE IN CONSULTING FEES IN PRIVATE.
    THE WHOLE HEATLTH SYSTEM IS CORRUPT MEH SON. THE PRIVATE SYSTEM IS THE ULTIMATE ENABLER
  • Really (30/07/2025, 17:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Reviewing them for what? You all bring them here from Timbuktu and dont throughly check their credentials before hiring them. Only a superficial check is done, and NOW you want to review them. Nevermind you all dont give then adequate materials to work. I once witnessed a nurse looking for an appropriate sized bandage to cover my son's stitches so she did not have to cut a piece off a bigger bandage, which would probably had been needed by someone else urgently in its original size. She was looking in drawers and cabinets left, right, and center. I could not believe it when she said she was looking for a bandage. Review yourselves!!!
  • jesus (30/07/2025, 18:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Assembly line doctors. Quality of health care will diminish. Doctors will want to get through as many patients in a day as the more patients the more money. Quality vs quantity. Stop playing with our health!!!
  • Review what? (30/07/2025, 18:26) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hurry up and put the dental branch of the government back in place. You all have the private sector digging out our guts. You to wait months to get an appointment, and if you are a new patient they telling you they can't accept any new patients "at this time". If you go St. Thomas for relief of your problem, NHI want to haggle with you over your money you already pay to them and your health. So stupid.
  • Concerned (30/07/2025, 20:39) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The doctors in public sector work hard. If they also work in the private sector, it’s to supplement their income. If they are paid more in the public sector, I am sure they would not have to also work in the private sector. The same goes for the nurses. Pay them better! Problem solved
  • Bad work (30/07/2025, 20:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ reviewd. The dental practice at the hospital doesn't do good service. They don't clean patient teeth thoroughly. The number of patients has come into the private sector since the government is closed. Is pure cativy you seeing in patient mouth and so much big all calculus.

  • tola (30/07/2025, 23:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just to get injection that cause 35 in eureka you have to pay 65 to have nurse do it. Demmmm thiefffff 100 in alll
  • HMMM (31/07/2025, 07:40) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lets talk about how NHI is a scam!!!


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