Police called in @ SSB Office as fight breaks out
Government in late December 2015 made the decision to extend the application period to January 31, 2016 to accommodate more persons who were not successful in registering for the Government’s compulsory health coverage.
One Caribbean national who saw the ruckus said that she was ashamed at what she witnessed.
“I just had to call somebody. I could not believe what I was seeing. I know it is coming down to the end of the period but there was no need for that behaviour,” she said.
Information Officer of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Diane Drayton confirmed with this news site that Police were summoned to assist with crowd control following the escalation of the ruckus.
One staff member of Social Security Board who did not want to be identified said that the problem started sometime around 8: am. “Some people wanted to get ahead of others who were there before them. Everybody wanted to be processed quickly but it seemed like the staff was overwhelmed by the number of people there,” the officer said.
The officer believes that the location did not provide sufficient space for the large numbers of persons who turn up every day for processing.
Every day persons are turned back once NHI staff gives out a certain amount of tickets. Some have also expressed frustration that they are unable to make queries over the phone.
"Them not answering the phones now I have to come all the way here just to ask a question," one woman complained.
Efforts to reach Deputy Director of the Social Security Board with responsibility for the NHI, Roy N. Barry and Manager of Beneficiary and Advisory Services in the NHI Division Kishma A. Baronville for a comment on today’s incident and on whether the registration deadline will be further extended proved futile.
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35 Responses to “Police called in @ SSB Office as fight breaks out”
In all honesty, I don't blame y'all since the month about to done and y'all fearing reprisal akin to the sword of Damocles hanging over y'all heads....but it ain't THAT serious.
The same manner in which this lopsided scheme was thrusted on y'all ( I didn't vote for these fools) is the same lopsided manner these fools dealing with processing EVERYBODY and it shows. People tired gone there and get all kinda run around, lost documents, deleted files muck...now look, them fighting to get under the banner before the month end 'cause nobody ain't want to face the Tola Gestapo when them start charging fools a thousand dollars for a slipshod strong armed program alot of us were fine without.
I'm not against the NHI in theory since we all have to look out for one another...however I'm against how it's implimented, the way it was devised as well as the reason, let's not kid ourselves along with how poorly the Government has handled dealing with the influx of people signing up for it. You can only imagine how bad it going to be at the hospital now when people show up, freshly minted card wanting bales of paraceptemol and band-aids for EVERY LITTLE THING, now that you got 'em on it. I hope we as a region survive this mess.
20 times to do what is required -and it was plain impossible and ridiculous to stand there for hours like an idiot.
I would be happy to get registered if they would allow me to! Problem is so many obstacles in BVI for those who
are at least willing to cooperate. Maybe wasting away in line is some kind of cultural thing to some people...?
My employer registered me in December and I am waiting until that madness quiet down so I can go take my picture and get my card in under 1 hour (my lunch hour). I hope that time will come soon.
Cows got better it better than work permit people.
NHI were cake beside labour and immigration! Ayo needs to chill man.
1. Why not create an online portal to at least be able to help with the submission of applications. Once submitted an automated reply can to sent to the applicant to return at a scheduled location/time for picture taking and issuance of cards.
2. Treat this as "Polling" if you would - If at elections we have to create numerous locations to handle the capacity of voters (Districts notwithstanding), why not dispatch teams of staff members (hire temporary staff if need be) to these polling stations in each district. This would no doubt ease the lines at the main building and most importantly expedite the process.