Minister of Health and Social Development’s responses
to the Leader of the Opposition’s questions at the Third Sitting of the Second Session of the First House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands
Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Question #1 ~~Adz:Right~~
Mister Speaker, would the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Development please tell this Honourable House:

(a) How much money has been paid, to date, to CARIMEX on the Hospital Project?

Response:
Mr. Speaker, to date, the Government of the Virgin Islands has paid a total of forty-four million, seven hundred and ninety-three thousand, three hundred and twenty-six dollars and thirty-four cents ($44,793,326.34) to CARIMEX for the New Hospital Project.

(b) Whether there are any outstanding amounts billed to, but not paid by Government; and if so, what are the amounts?

Response
Mr. Speaker, as of 31st December, 2008 there were no outstanding amounts billed to the Virgin Islands’ Government by CARIMEX.  Since the beginning of the project, all bills were paid on time--that is, within the 56-day period as stipulated in the contract.

Question #2
Mr. Speaker, would the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Development please tell this Honourable House whether Government will establish a National Insurance Program for the Territory; and if so, would the Honourable Minister give a time frame for its introduction? 

~~Adz:Left~~ Response
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform this Honourable House that the Government of the Virgin Islands through the Ministry of Health and Social Development, is forging ahead with the establishment of a National Health Insurance System.  Mr. Speaker, the Consulting Team from the Health Economics Unit, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, which was led by Professor Karl Theodore was invited to visit the BVI to have discussions on the progress of the project thus far.  It was only in December that the Team was able to visit the Territory.

On the 8th of December, 2008, I personally met with the members of the team and was able to get a better understanding and appreciation of what has occurred prior to this Government taking office in August 2007, and this subject being transferred under the my portfolio , a few months ago.  On the same day, the consultants also met with health officials and other key stakeholders to discuss the implications of establishing, implementing and maintaining a national health insurance system.

In addition, the team presented information about other options for financing healthcare.  This, Mr. Speaker was useful as it highlighted the various alternatives and gave us an opportunity to make an informed decision as to which option would be most suitable for the Virgin Islands.

Mr. Speaker, on the 9th of December 2008, Professor Theodore met with the Premier and the entire team met with Members of Caucus later that afternoon to bring them up-to-date on matters regarding the project and to have discussion as to the way forward.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is working closely with Professor Theodore and his team on this project.  The Ministry is at present awaiting word from the Consulting Team on the next step.   Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I am today, unable to give a time frame for the introduction of a National Health Insurance System s it should appropriately be called. However, Mr. Speaker, I can assure this Honourable House that this Government accepts its responsibility to provide adequate social protection for the residents of the Virgin Islands and will work feverishly to ensure that every person has access to and can afford good healthcare.