NHI Not Quite Right; Tweaking Needed - Dr. Scatliffe

No Image Found!
BVI Platinum News
Dr. Vincent Scatliffe at Town Hall meeting, October 20

(PLTM) - While appreciating the functionality of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, Dr. Vincent Scatliffe is still not convinced that persons are benefiting from its full potential, adding that the scheme was not initiated on good grounds and more work is needed to make it fully beneficial to the people of the Virgin Islands.

While speaking at a town hall meeting last week, the former Virgin Islands Party (VIP) candidate for the 4th District explained that as it stands today, the NHI is experiencing some glitches, where persons are taking advantage of the scheme, in addition to some other shortcomings.

“The government cannot afford to cover the cost of healthcare as it is right now, relative to population and technological advances, among others. Financial services is having challenges and cannot write a check to cover these services any more, so we have to come up with finances for the healthcare services.”

He noted that whatever cracks appear in the programme have to be addressed and plugged immediately, so that the availability of funding and assistance does not run dry.

“The NHI is very good in principle, however they may not have gotten it right. As with any new venture, there are going to be hiccups and kinks. As the scheme matures and we get a good comprehensive picture and grasp the situation, there are going to be changes.”

Dr. Scatliffe noted that as the NHI progresses, there are tweaks and changes to be made, to get the desirable effects from it, where persons can truly have a quality and affordable healthcare system in the BVI.

“Your co-pay is a big factor and we know that there are a number of unscrupulous providers out there who have been having a field day with the programme. However, where we are right now, the scheme is working; it was in effect and we are getting service from it, but there’s still a little tweaking that has to go with it to make it the desirable system.”

On a similar note, Leader of the Opposition and Elected Representative for District Three, Hon. Julian Fraser stated that the government was previously warned by the Opposition of the potential for abuse, if the programme was not supervised by a well-staffed and experienced agency.

He added, “The National Health Insurance with all its good intentions, was rushed to the market, leaving the citizens of the Virgin Islands to hold the bag.”

Hon. Fraser went on to highlight various issues that are affecting the programme.

“The service provider network is not broad enough, for even well established long term providers to Virgin Islanders operating in the USVI, are not in the network. The very safeguard requiring referral by a doctor to consult overseas physicians is flawed, because it leaves itself open to abuse and JIPA, which is the agency used as a broker for overseas healthcare, is suspected of being exorbitant.”

-----
Copyright 2023 by Virgin Islands Platinum News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Reader Opinion
Please note that the opinions posted are the opinions of its author and does not in any way reflect the views of the management, staff, parent company or sponsors of Virgin Islands Platinum News.
There are no comments to show at this time.
Cruise Schedule
IN PORT - TODAY ( 28 March )
We have no cruise ship in port on this day!
IN PORT - TOMORROW ( 29 March )
We have no cruise ship in port on this day!