In a response to the challenges being faced by the organisation, the Health Minister said: “All operational and administrative issues being reported by media outlets inclusive of ongoing audits, payroll issues and staff actions will be addressed by the board of directors early this week.”

Over the weekend, reports of an ongoing industrial action by nurses at the BVIHSA surfaced, but the Health Minister has categorically denied any such action has taken place.

Furthermore, there have been reports reaching the media that an audit of the entity was demanded by Premier Andrew Fahie after irregularities were found about its payroll and within the Human Resources arm of the organisation.

In response to this, Malone said that upon entering office in 2019, it was “early determined” that a comprehensive review of the agency’s finances as well as its management and operations was warranted.

“In correspondence dated September 26, from me as minister, the 2021 board of directors were informed that the Government of the Virgin Islands was desirous of having a comprehensive review of the financial operations and of the sustainability of the BVI Health Services Authority aimed at maximising operations and efficiency,” Malone said.

According to the Health Minister, the new BVHISA boards that were established in 2020 and 2021 were also charged with improving relationships between that entity, the Health Ministry, the National Health Insurance (NHI) and the Public Health Unit.

But Malone stated that the initiation and success of this task was influenced and negatively hampered by the onset of COVID-19 and the realities that the global pandemic brought to the territory.

Malone further urged the public not to “leapfrog to any conclusions at this time”. Instead, he asked that the public wait on the report of facts from credible sources.

“It is my resolve to disclose all facts as reported to me in a timely and complete manner,” the Health Minister added.