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US making it ‘very difficult’ for VI to attract & keep healthcare talent- Hon Wheatley

- says territory must reach a place where it can attract its own people who are overseas
Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital. The Virgin Islands has found it a challenge recruiting for the healthcare system. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Wheatley was at the time speaking on the May 5, 2023, edition of The Big Story with Cathy O. Richards on ZBVI 780am when he mentioned that the us is also using other measures to entice healthcare workers away from the VI. Photo: Facebook/File
Hon Wheatley was at the time speaking on the May 5, 2023, edition of The Big Story with Cathy O. Richards on ZBVI 780am when he mentioned that the us is also using other measures to entice healthcare workers away from the VI. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– While not a new challenge, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) says one way to retain and attract healthcare workers in the VI is for the territory to start encouraging some of its own people to return home and make the sacrifice.

“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.

46 Responses to “US making it ‘very difficult’ for VI to attract & keep healthcare talent- Hon Wheatley ”

  • VG Resident (10/05/2023, 07:30) Like (53) Dislike (1) Reply
    $$ always talk. No one is going to come to the BVI to make less money.
    • @vg resident (10/05/2023, 08:53) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
      The entire Caribbean healthcare system is experiencing the same issues as BVI.
    • Curious (10/05/2023, 15:58) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's the BVIHSA & the money! How can a BVI Islander graduate from medical school and be expected to come home ready & qualified then be made to wait 6 months to a year to be offered a job and receive a paycheck?
  • Youth (10/05/2023, 07:45) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a fact. However the US is also experiencing shortage in Healthcare workers at all levels because their people are leaving as to them the salary is low with no good benefits.
  • please (10/05/2023, 07:46) Like (38) Dislike (2) Reply
    The BVI must get real leaders at the top of Healthcare and over BVIHSA first. This is the main issue that no one wants to touch.
    • Ehhhh (10/05/2023, 12:42) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      no one person can fix that hospital....it's way too far down the rabbit hole at this time.....
  • My Take (10/05/2023, 07:48) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
    The restructuring of NHI is urgent and key to success as well. It started wrong and remains wrong. It is more about making friends and family rich than helping the people in the times of need.
    • Square Pegs In Round Holes. (10/05/2023, 09:02) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your accessment is exactly right. It is about time after all these years when we pass budgets of 400-million dollars, that we put the right people in position of leadership instead of simply putting persons who won elections with a few hundred votes. During Covid we imported a number of doctors and nurses. No country, particularly tiny countries such as Bvis will ever have the regular supply of local workers needed. You therefore sit down and put together an offering that we can afford and that's also acceptable. It's not Rocket Science. A major key to getting NHI to work for us is putting doctors and nurses in the hospital wherebybtthose in need of care can be treated at the Hospital. That's where the money is going. How in the world is a private Clinic more capable of hiring or having access to .medical talent than a government owned operated hospital. The whole operation of the hospital needs to be Rethought out with the idea of being profitable, while still being able to be merciful to those least able to afford medical care.
    • please (10/05/2023, 09:09) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      WHAT NHI have to do with the doctors and services not offer at BVIHSA!!! This is an issue they need to address from donkey years ago.
  • Rizzo (10/05/2023, 07:49) Like (26) Dislike (7) Reply
    "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."

    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.
    • Revised Headline (10/05/2023, 12:09) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
      The headline of this story should be "Virgin Islands making it ‘very difficult’ for VI to attract & keep healthcare talent"!

      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!
  • Commend (10/05/2023, 07:50) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    I commend the Government during covid for bringing in the Cuban doctors and nurses during covid. They were a good complement to our already good hard working doctors and nurses at the hospital but as usual management at the hospital dropped the ball with them.
    • eehhh (10/05/2023, 12:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      the issue with that is, the hospital isn't making any money, hence they couldn't/can't pay the Cubans...... tbh, the hospital is currently a ticking time bomb
    • You are blissfully ignorant! (12/05/2023, 04:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are blissfully ignorant of the facts as it pertains to the help received from (the Cubans doctors/nurses).

      How can I (CUBAN) help working under provisional circumstances?
  • note (10/05/2023, 07:51) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    The hospital has some of the best medical equipment in the world but most of them are not working and when they work they do not work for long. This needs investigating right away.
  • facts (10/05/2023, 07:52) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have good people in health to take the BVI to the next level but we have bad management at the top. If that does not be addressed now then we will continue to go nowhere fast.
  • New approach (10/05/2023, 07:53) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Money is not the foundation issue in Healthcare. It needs a new approach.
  • The VG PRINCE (10/05/2023, 07:54) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    this chickenhawk is like a broken record , he keeps repeating the same lines , just changing or adding words / if whoever is in charge were doing g their homework by showing respect to those BVILANDERS who have made the effort to ymuse their knowledge wisely and have attained their Qualifications with INTEGRITY were shown the honor and respect that they deserve , Don you think that they will be glad to return and share the their knowledge with family and friends which will only help to strength their own country , but no real respect love and integrity is hmshown to bthem , you power hungry pretenders are only interested in you own pockets , and the manipulation goes on ( no offence ) your majesty
  • get it together (10/05/2023, 07:55) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BVI needs to select at least 5 areas in Healthcare and master them so the entire Caribbean and further will come to the BVI for Healthcare in these 5 areas and then keep growing from there. This will also create medical tourism.
  • Now is the time (10/05/2023, 07:58) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Minister please have public discussions with the public and closed door ones with the hospital staff and also separately with management of the hospital and other health providers as to how to improve Healthcare in a way which allows us to move from where we are and get to where we need to be and the time frame in which to do so. All the answers are not with the current Heads in Healthcare or we would have been better.
  • Another Nail In The Coffin (10/05/2023, 07:59) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
    Countries are enticing health care workers away and the Premier's genius plan is to look for his most xenophobic member of government and make him the Minister responsible for retaining these expat healthcare workers that he stated the US is enticing. How backward can we get. This man tormented local businesses with his hatred for expat workers now our one hospital that we all have to go to he is about to ruin by frustrating the few doctors and nurses we have. Wonderful!!
  • reason (10/05/2023, 08:04) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Cost of living too high
  • hmm (10/05/2023, 08:08) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The US is not to blame. You want sons and daughters of the soil to stay home then you must start focusing on curriculums that concentrate on those fields as early as kindergarten. It needs to be at the very nature of their being and then we must compensate them fairly. The problem bvi reps face is that they want to fix a problem now when it will take over a decade.
  • Reality check (10/05/2023, 08:10) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    You need to purge the deadwood from your staff who make it difficult for new hires. Until the workplace atmosphere becomes welcoming and everyone wants to update their skills you will be unsuccessful in recruiting new talent. We have had some very talented people who are now elsewhere in the world because your staff treated them poorly and undermined their attempts at dragging Health Services into the 21st century.
    The reason MASA has so many subscribers is because of your staff!!
  • How can (10/05/2023, 08:11) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    How can you try to attract and keep your healthcare professionals after giving 25+ Years of service only to here after retirement you dont have a pension to get now tell me with an experience like this how can one really wants to work when you get a much sweeter opportunity elsewhere you cant even go to further your studies unless you resign like really , i am listening come have a talk with me you people dont come on grounds to talk with the staff to know whats going on to know how to fix the problem and retain your staff health dept turn over staff like crazy come on man, not an increment for more than 10yrs now with inflation on the rise like ground sea swelling you want to fix it talk to the staff. I could go on but i will pause for now.




  • resident (10/05/2023, 08:18) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    money talks, pay more and you get more
  • Not So vg res (10/05/2023, 08:20) Like (3) Dislike (19) Reply
    No one Except of course Vincent's daughter who must love the BVI because she returned as a Doctor and now practices on Virgin Gorda.
  • money (10/05/2023, 08:32) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Sometimes Sir it’s not about the money. It’s about the lack of RESPECT, VICTIMIZATION and VINDICTIVE mindset of who’s in authority.
    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.
  • Bvi is Welcoming (10/05/2023, 08:39) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    America when they decided to import talent, they went right to their rivals, especially Russia and offered inticing offerings and packages to attract and keep the talent they are interest in. Here in the Bvi it seems we never made an assessment of the talent necessary for the development of the territory. For example the medical talent, the marine talent, the building talent etc. Students coming out of the High School añd Community college it seems have been free to make their own decisions of what they choose to study like Computer Science and Legal studies. I am reminded of a Calypso sung a few years ago in which the singer artistically used lines such as "Computers can't plant Corn", implying that we would starve if we don't learn to produce our own food. Meanwhile throughout different parts of the Caribbean, particularly Cuba, they have doctors and nurses and other talent open to relocating to areas and countries of opportunity. Students from St.Kitts and other areas have been sending students to study in Cuba and Taiwan and is even offering students the opportunity to learn the Taiwanese language in order to simplify studying in Taiwan. Bottom line, "Where theres no Vision the people perish" holds true. The late Hon H L Stoutt was a Visionary and knew that Education was the gateway to development in the Bvis and is the reason why Stoutt Community College exists. Good Lord, we pray that you open our hearts and minds that we will be more Visionary, more open minded to the possibility and necessity of the continuing growth and development of our lovely Bvis.
  • Listen... (10/05/2023, 08:40) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pay people their worth! Too many skilled professionals are being paid next to nothing. Mercy!
  • OF Course (10/05/2023, 08:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always somebody else fault.
  • smh (10/05/2023, 09:20) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wheatley please look at who is hiring who within BVIHSA. Don't go pointing fingers at USA when the people you sent on study leave comes back, they are being told that they are over qualified. Look at hiw your present Staffs are being treated. How many times they were not paid ontime? Of course if a worker is capable to work in the USA they will take that opportunity. Can you blame them?
  • @ NOTE (10/05/2023, 09:31) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    YOU HAVE IT RIGHT ,AND I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE BUT THOSE IN POWER REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE IT THOROUGHLY OR IF AT ALL , ( PEOPLE ARE BEING MISDIAGNOSED ON A DAILY BASIS , THE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ARE ( NOT ) BEING SERVICED BY PROFESSIONALS , SO LET YHAT SOAK IN YOUR MIND AND USE YOUR IMAGINATION ???? THEN SOME OF THE STAFF SHOULD NBE IN A PIGB PEN OR PUT IT NICELY THEY HAVE A LOT TO BE DESIRED , BUT THE RESULTS IS STILL THE SAME , ( APPALLING ) THE DOCTORS THAT HAS A LICENSE TO PRESCRIBE MEDICATIONS ARE DOING JUST THAT , BUT NONE IS TELLING YOU OF THE ( SIDE EFFECTS ) THAT THOSE SAME MEDICATIONS COME WITH / SO WHEN YOU FEEL YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE DOCTORS ADVICE OR INSTRUCTIONS AND EVERYTHING IS NORMAL NOW AND YOU ARE GOING FOR YOUR REGULAR CHECK UPS , COUPLE MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD THEY WILL GIVE THE JOYFUL NEWS THST YOU NOW HAVE A NEW PROBLEM THEMAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE , AND GUESS WHERE IT CAME FROM , THE SIDE EFFECTS FROM
    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
  • Build a better mouse trap (10/05/2023, 09:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    ...and they will beat a path to your door. We built a fantastic mouth trap when we spent over 100 million $$ several years ago . Yes, the hospital has very good and adequate equipment. But again, if the project isn't well planned, equipment will be broken and lying around among other things..Puerto Rico is only minutes away and they have many professionally run hospitals. If broken equipment is a problem, just like broken Teller Machines must be for the banks,l ond technicians must be imported (like we used to import Piano Tuners), then ny all means, we are in the life-saving business. Import what's needed if a solution isn't available in Bvi.
    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
    • lodger (10/05/2023, 12:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      To Build a better mousetrap. That MRI belonged to Bougainvillea clinic, not the hospital.
  • reality (10/05/2023, 10:26) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    While they are increasing benefits you brought in a nonmanager who cut all benefits to the bone and stop paying. Increments, don't pay overtime so what do you expect.. When was the last time you gave them an increase.
  • Hon. Wheatley (10/05/2023, 10:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    How is the incinerator situation progressing? It smokes nearly every day. Thank you
  • Import workers (10/05/2023, 11:24) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    US import workers. So should BVI. Plenty in the Philippines and even Europe who would come to BVI to work. Xenophobia is the real barrier here.
  • change (10/05/2023, 12:17) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The people of the BVI needs to change their mindset and start to adapt to what's going on around them and the world. The use of technology and other resources has increased. People also need to grow as well and know that there are new ways to doing things and the younger generations are the ones to help lead the way. How will that happen if people don't give us a chance and still worried about who doing the work instead of them getting fair chance. Plus pay is also a big thing too. We need to make coming to the BVI more attractive and affordable. When the plane tickets are more than what you are going to get paid its easier to stay in the States.
  • Political analyst (10/05/2023, 13:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is not earth shattering news that the VI, along with other regional countries are having a skill and brain drain to the the US and other countries. For example, Guyana (approx 83,000 population ) population per square mile is approx 10 people per square mile. The skill and brain is especially acute in the medical and educational areas. Invariably, medical personnel move from Third World, 2nd World, to First World primarily due to higher compensation, more modern facilities and better working conditions, professional growth, lack of national treatment and appreciation, etc. It is a competitive business and environment. For example, a nurse in the BVI can make (I’m assuming)’$45-50K per year. However, the same nurse may be able to make 6 figures, along with other compensatory benefits, in the US, Canada, etc. The BVI competing with the US, Canada, etc is a Herculean challenge. Training, compensation, patriotism, preventative care, clean and healthy living, treatment and appreciation, aggressive recruitment, etc must be part and parcel of the plan and planning. The Hon Wheatley noted that part of recruiting strategy is to encourage Virgin Islanders with medical skills to return home and give back. Here is the news flash though. Just like a 120+ different nationalities immigrated to the BVI and stay for a while so too do Virgin Islanders who emigrated to the US, etc also stay for a while, ie, retirement, quality medical accessibility, children and grandchildren education, etc, fear of being treated like shit when they come back home, etc. Let’s be honest, when Virgin Islanders return home they are not warmly welcomed with open arms; they are pushed away, preferring to welcome and give others the opportunity. This attitude and behavior may stem from fear, jealousy, etc. Whatever the reason, they now come back to visit family, for weddings, funerals, Festival , etc, lament on how good or bad things are but they return to their places of abode. They love their homeland from afar, for they and their families may be better treated and appreciated in another country.
    • Stealth (10/05/2023, 16:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      The compensation points are on point and self-explanatory . I will like to touch on BVI returnees a bit. BVI people historically have engaged in self-discrimination, moving from racism to social classism, ie, Town vs. Country in Tortola, Town and Country v. Larger Outlying islands, all v. Cay people and all vs. expats. Whoa Nelly! Before one runs off on a tangent and wrongly conclude that this is a unique BVI attitude. Well, it is not, for it occurs in all regional countries .For examples, BVIslanders emigrating to the Dominican Republic(Santo Domingo) were labeled Cocolas. It was not always a term of endearment , though; however, there is now a Cocolo festival or celebration. Ok. Back to BVI self-discrimination. Virgin Islanders who emigrated and return to contribute are not fully embrace and welcomed back. They are often viewed somewhat as persona non-grata. You say perhaps jealousy. I say self-discrimination. I know though that some Virgin Islanders get irritated, hates with a passion some Virgin Islanders whom they claimed runaway when things were bad and they stayed home during the hard times and suck salt and now those that ran away not want to tell them what to do whether they are more qualified or not. In these instances, they prefer outsiders. This disunity is fueling fueling the decline and retarding of BVI growth.
    • VI Resident (11/05/2023, 10:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      The push back against returnees is not a 100% accurate. The arrogant, show off, all knowing ones, etc, don’t get the warm embrace. Humble ah yu selves. Some of ah yu to nuff.
  • MY VOICE (10/05/2023, 13:27) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Private health services have flourished and continue to do so since NHI. They do not care about our health, they refer us to have tests and more tests to make the money. Since NHI many people here have died of illnesses that could have been avoided. It's all about the money. Need to be investigated and revised.
  • WEW (10/05/2023, 13:39) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ALLWAYS someone else's fault.
  • samuel (11/05/2023, 11:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    She needs to go first. Wicked woman
  • HMMM (13/05/2023, 12:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whenever BVIslanders move back to the territory, the attitude and reception of our own people is so bad, that it’s not worth it.


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