A National Democratic Party candidate has challenged the government's 2027 budget priorities, arguing that money should go to housing for elderly residents rather than building a new detention centre.
Shereen Flax-Charles, the NDP's Ninth District candidate, raised the issue on the party's radio show, pointing to what she sees as a deepening crisis in how the British Virgin Islands cares for its seniors.
Flax-Charles says between 30 and 40 older people are stuck long-term at Dr D. Orlando Smith Hospital because their families cannot deliver the specialised care they need. She contends this situation is straining the Health Services Authority.
"We have 30 or 40 persons that are permanently living at the Orlando Smith Hospital. We need to focus some more on that. It's bleeding the Health Services Authority," she said.
Many families, she explained, lack both the money and the skills to look after elderly relatives at home. "They're not qualified, certified or able to give the kind of care that these elderly persons really need, and it's an epidemic throughout the entire BVI," she added.
Flax-Charles acknowledged that law requires a detention facility, but questioned whether building it now makes sense. "I know we need a detention centre. I know what the law is as it relates to that. But is that a priority at this point?" she asked.
NDP At-Large Representative Ronnie Skelton backed the argument. He noted that an earlier NDP government had worked on plans for an elderly care facility at Spooner's Estate but that the scheme needed reworking to meet tougher hurricane standards.
Skelton said seniors needing round-the-clock care, plus those who need help managing medicine and daily tasks, would do better in shared living spaces where they could spend time with others, rather than isolated in their own homes.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.