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UPDATE: Ailing Health Minister Skelton back in VI
The Minister was a ‘no show’ at the National Democratic Party Government’s Political meeting on Virgin Gorda held last evening October 15, 2014.
It was on October 6, 2014 that this news site was the first to accurately report that the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton was taken to Peebles Hospital after complaining of stomach discomfort.
He was admitted to Peebles Hospital and a medical decision was made to fly the Health Minister out to the Cleveland Clinic, in Weston, Florida, USA for further tests and observations.
The Minister did not have to undergo emergency surgery as had been reported in parts of the media.
Hon. Skelton an indigenous Virgin Islander is married to Janice Mercer and they both have one child each from a previous relationship.
See previous story published on October 13, 2014:
Hon Ronnie W. Skelton Out! Expected to return home soon
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The ailing Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton has been released from the Cleveland Clinic, in Weston, Florida, USA.
This news site’s National Democratic Party sources have confirmed this information to our news room.
The sources also told our reporter that the Minister did not have to undergo emergency surgery as had been reported in parts of the media.
However, Hon. Skelton went through many tests to ascertain why he was experiencing major discomfort below the heart and measures to be taken to prevent a recurrence according to family members close to the situation.
History of how he ended up in hospital
It was on October 6, 2014 that this news site was the first to accurately report that the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton was taken to Peebles Hospital after complaining of stomach discomfort.
He was admitted to Peebles Hospital and the next day a medical decision was made to fly the Health Minister out to the Cleveland Clinic, in Weston, Florida, USA for further tests and observations.
It remains unclear when the Minister will return to the Virgin Islands from Florida, after being released from the Cleveland Clinic.
Political career
Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton a former General Manger of the BVI Electricity Corporation was first elected to Parliament in 1999 under the National Democratic Party (NDP) banner.
In his first four years [1999-2003] he served on the Opposition benches. In 2003 his party won the general elections and he became the Deputy Chief Minister and made history for the first time being a non-Head of Government to hold the portfolio of Minister of Finance in the Virgin Islands. He also held the portfolio of Minister for Health and Welfare [2003-2007].
In the elections of 2007 he was a casualty of the elections losing his seat when his party the NDP got shaken up winning only 2 out of 13 seats in the then House of Assembly.
Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal OBE (R9) became the Territory’s first Premier [2007-2011] under a new Virgin Islands Constitution.
In 2011 Hon Skelton returned to the political stage winning 1 of the 4 At-Large seats which were all taken by the NDP as they swept back to power with 9 out of 13 seats.
Hon. Skeleton was stripped of his Finance portfolio but secured an appointment as Minister for Health and Social Development, where he is now the sitting Minister.
In his three years in office he has come under fire for the controversial National Health Insurance scheme. Critics of the plan say it does not allow choices and that it undermines private insurance companies in the VI.
Very recently, many non-profit organizations have been critical of the BVI Health Services Authority one of his subjects for begging the public for contributions to fund the new Peebles Hospital.
They claim that it takes away much needed funds from them having now to compete with the government for donations.
There were some other controversial matters under his watch including the charging of seniors and young children for medication.
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37 Responses to “UPDATE: Ailing Health Minister Skelton back in VI ”
I witnessed something at Banco Popular yesterday afternoon that really got my goat. A woman stepped in front of another woman to go to the cashier without any explanation as to why she did it. The older woman asked her how could she just step in front of her like that, and the woman stated she had been sitting in the chair and it was now her turn. Th older woman said that she should have said that and there would not be any conflict. The line jumper got nasty and stated she did not have to tell her anything. We on line were furious. A little courtesy was all this situation needed by the line jumper to explain. Instead she looked as though she wanted to beat up the older woman who I know is sick and in pain daily. The older woman did the right thing and let it drop and went next to the cashier. When did we stop being polite and have manners. We in line all agreed the older lady was raised with class and did not get loud. When you need to sit in the chair you should inform the person in back of you so they can expect to see you come to the line, that's all.
Hope you'll be home to your personal family and to the community family soon.
May healing mercies be all yours.
What is there to dislike here??
Bring this up once this gentleman is well, OK?
You sound like a real a..! NDP didn't send Ronnie to Florida. Ronnie is a well off man who could afford healthcare overseas. If you can afford it you will do the same as well. What does this have to do with what Government is offering? Government is offering NHI so that people who cannot afford care whether here or overseas can get it under NHI. You are proving his point even more for NHI as it would afford us to better manage when we send people overseas. We have been flying out people for years to PR, Jamaica and Miami. We have flown out many uninsured people or those whose insurance refused to pay. The same fools now jumping up and bragging about their private insurance, what happen when they don't pay? The Government got bills in the millions to pay back overseas health facilities. I'm sure Ronnie was able to pay his bill and not the taxpayers. When you are trying to make a point, please think it through. Your post makes me realize more why we need NHI.
Knowledge is power but understanding is key; just as faith without work is useless.