Community nurses stationed at the Jost Van Dyke clinic were absent from work on March 12, 2026. Photo: BVIHSA

Host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline has said nurses’ absence from work at clinics across the Virgin Islands (VI) was in fact a sick-out. Photo: Facebook

Host of Honestly Speaking, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline, has said nurses and doctors are moving out of the BVI Health Services Authority into private systems where they are properly treated and compensated. Photo: BVIHSA

Nurses at clinics in Road Town, Jost van Dyke, and Long Look were absent from work on March 11 and 12, which coincided with a visit from accreditors. 

The BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), in a statement on March 12, 2026, said that while aware that several community health staff members had reported sick, it had not received any formal notification of industrial action or organised protest. The matter was said to be under investigation. 

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) also confirmed the absence of nurses at the various clinics. He said he had not received any explanation when he inquired. 

Of course it’s a sick-out- Skelton-Cline

However, Skelton-Cline, during his show on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, said, “They’re investigating whether or not there was a sick-out during the time the accreditation people were here; going to three clinics, nurses ain’t there. Of course, it’s a sick-out. They ain’t been paid for 12 years. You have the review that was completed before this whole budget was passed.”

He also said, the blame does not fall solely on the current Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government as “this 12 years cut across government”. 

Skelton-Cline also opined that nurses and doctors are moving out of the BVIHSA into private systems. There, he said, they are properly treated and compensated. 

“That’s what’s happening. How do you think people can make it like that? People have families.”

The BVIHSA has not made public the results of its investigation into the nurses’ absenteeism, if it has already been completed. 

See link to related article

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/nurses-absenteeism-being-investigated-hon-vincent-o-wheatley-