Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Audit Report Reveals Concerns Over Government's Handling of Medical Assistance Grants in the British Virgin Islands

Audit Report Reveals Concerns Over Government's Handling of Medical Assistance Grants in the British Virgin Islands

Concerns have been raised over the government's decision to pay for cosmetic medical expenses for a resident several years ago, a disclosure made in an audit report released by the Internal Audit Department on assistance grants issued by the Andrew Fahie-led government between January 2019 and May 2022.
The audit found that some requests for assistance with medical expenses were not supported by evidence from the attending physician, with one instance showing an individual receiving assistance for breast reduction surgery without any evidence of a medical diagnosis or referral.

The report also revealed that a majority of applications reviewed were incomplete, missing vital information such as income levels, and information regarding assistance received from other governmental agencies.

Additionally, the report found that the Assistance Grant Programme at the House of Assembly lacked appropriate objectives, control, and structure, leading to concerns that it was an unorganized welfare program.

The audit also showed that a significant number of applications were awarded based on a letter or the House of Assembly's application stating the amount required, rather than on the merit of the application.

The report concluded that the program lacked transparency and accountability, leading to its eventual discontinuation, with social assistance grants being moved to the Social Development Department after the release of the Commission Inquiry (COI) report.

Some commentators have expressed concern over the decision to pay for cosmetic medical expenses, with Hot Seat host Walwyn Brewley stating that he had an issue with the government paying for a breast reduction surgery if an individual did not have a medical diagnosis or referral.

The audit report highlights several issues with the government's handling of medical assistance grants, including a lack of appropriate documentation, transparency, and accountability.

The move to discontinue the program and transfer social assistance grants to the Social Development Department is a step towards addressing these concerns and ensuring that such issues do not arise in the future.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
×