US making it ‘very difficult’ for VI to attract & keep healthcare talent- Hon Wheatley
“It's not a new problem. It started way back when America, whenever they need professionals, particularly in healthcare and education. The Caribbean is their recruiting ground. There's a whole brain drain going to North America,” he added.
Hon Wheatley was at the time speaking on the May 5, 2023, edition of The Big Story with Cathy O. Richards on ZBVI 780 AM, when he mentioned that the US is also using other measures to entice healthcare workers away from the VI.
“And what they're doing, they're increasing what they're offering. First, it used to be a high salary, then it was a high salary and you could bring a family, then a high salary, your family and an apartment, [now] high salary, family and we will give you status,” he added.
VI must attract its own talent- Hon Wheatley
“So they're making it very hard for us to attract or maintain the good talent, very, very difficult,” he remarked.
The Minister added that the VI must now get to a point where it can attract its own people who are willing to make a sacrifice for the development of the territory.
He added that while the VI will get a few persons, until there is better remuneration there will always be a challenge.
“We must focus on training our own people and then compensating them properly. It has to start… but it's something I’m keen to see happening, BVIslanders developing their own country, taking care of their own people,” he said.
Already, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has indicated that the process has started to review salaries in line with roles and responsibilities in the public service.
.png)
Follow Us On
46 Responses to “US making it ‘very difficult’ for VI to attract & keep healthcare talent- Hon Wheatley ”
Let me understand this. Our people should sacrifice their time and money living abroad to put themselves and their families in a better position to come back home to sacrifice AGAIN for less money? When will they truly reap the benefits of the investment they made in themselves? Money is not everything but we should be realistic; there are no incentives!
Don't even bring up country above self because take a look at these "leaders" and ask yourself if they are leading by example.
How can you in good conscience, ask healthcare workers to make a sacrifice by coming home to practice? They have families to look after so we cannot blame them for going where the grass is greener and they can provide for their families. Moreover, they often have better working conditions and a structure that encourages professional growth. Who in their right mind would "sacrifice" that just for an opportunity to give back to the community? I cannot imagine anyone being that charitable in these hard times unless they have some other incentive to return home, such as an ailing parent. Da mek sense? Mr Minister, try stop da frig!
How can I (CUBAN) help working under provisional circumstances?
The reason MASA has so many subscribers is because of your staff!!
There is no place like home still stands.
Home sweet home still stands
VI nice still stands.
I would never leave the VI regardless of what they pay me.
SAME MEDICATIONS THEY GAVE YOU FOR YOUR FIRST PROBLEM AND THE SAME THING CONTINUES , WITH ANOTHER ONE AND THE BEAT GOES ON / A PROFFESOR FROM ST
THOMAS SAID ( A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS CAN TAKEN CARE OF BY TAKING NATURAL NHERBS AND EATING HEALTHY FOODS ETC BUT THOSE PRIVATE DOCTORS WON'T TELL YOU THAT , SO IN THEIR CASE ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY
The whole concept of Health Care needs to be taken back to the Drawing Board and Scrutanise brick by brick with an eye on making sure the system is Error-free to the timyiest degree possible. The hospital and NHI should be operated like a Lock N key system. The one needs the other.The hospital needs to be run like a business and needs to and can be profitable. Back in 2010 a family member of mine fell ill and the main piece of equipment needed to diagnose his condition was an MRI. However, the only one on island was a used MRI which was housed in a small building in the area of One Mart supermarket. The machine also only worked with Black and why imagery and cost over 700 dollars for a scan. Taking the print out from the MRI to St.Thomas, because it was in black and white the physician found it difficult to read and interpret; which meat having to do it all over and at an even higher cost.
The world is moving ahead and sitting behind is not an option. OneBvi...BviLove