Health Minister Vincent O. Wheatley told the House of Assembly on Wednesday that the government intends to move the BVI Health Services Authority away from traditional budget funding toward a flexible model tied to the services delivered.
Wheatley outlined the proposal as part of a sweeping health system reform programme responding to an ageing population, rising medical costs, and the growing burden of chronic disease. He said the ministry has already begun work on multiple fronts: strengthening the National Health Insurance Program, improving governance and accountability, modernising health information systems, and building more integrated care delivery.
Under the flexible funding approach, the authority would gain greater room to develop and expand services while improving its financial standing and better serving the territory's healthcare needs. Wheatley said the shift would be gradual, with safeguards to maintain service continuity and operational stability while the ministry addresses the authority's existing financial obligations.
The minister emphasised that sustainable healthcare financing sits at the heart of the reform agenda. He told legislators that government investment in healthcare must be managed with responsibility and transparency, with resource planning and allocation decisions guided by reliable data and measurable outcomes.
"Our objective is to ensure that every resident has access to safe, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare, while ensuring every public dollar invested delivers the greatest possible value for patients, taxpayers and future generations," Wheatley said.
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