Health insurance system extremely important to covering cost of new hospital – Skelton

The original article can be found in: BVI News

Health Minister Ronnie Skelton, during a tour of the New Peebles Hospital yesterday, announced that the proposed National Health Insurance Plan is important to covering the cost of the medical facility.

“The national Health Insurance system is extremely important to covering the cost of this facility that you have seen,” he told journalists.

The minister was however quick to explain that the plan, which will be compulsory for all residents, will also ensure better access to healthcare.

“That’s the aim of the National Health Insurance; to make sure that everyone has access to affordable, high quality healthcare when needed, not just a few,” he said.

Asked if all the necessary funds have been secured to complete the hospital, the minister stated that $30m is secured.

“If we need more money, I sure I know the minister of Finance personally. I am sure I can ask him,” said Skelton.

Pressed to state definitively if more funds will be needed to complete the hospital, he stated that about $10m is required to have the facility fitted.

The cost of building the New Peebles Hospital is more than $100m.

In relation to the cost of fitting, he said: “There was a budgeted cost for fitting out the hospital years ago – about four, five years ago – about $10m. But what we are trying to do is source these same products at a more affordable cost.”

Hospital near completion

The Health Minister also stated that, in order to have a smooth transition into the New Peebles Hospital, several plans were being developed.

The Operational Plan that includes a Staffing Strategy, Clinical Services Plan and the Comprehensive Medical Services Plan is already completed.

Reconfiguration plans for the existing Peebles Hospital and Annex are also being developed.

Skelton further stated that the final furniture selections had been made and the final specifications accepted by the BVI Health Services Authority.

“Waste management arrangements were also being put in place, including a compactor for general waste and an autoclave for treatment of bio-medical waste,” he said.

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