Walwyn Pushes for BVI Cancer Centre
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn has challenged the government over its decision not to pursue a local cancer treatment centre, arguing the territory has the resources to care for its own patients. Health Minister Vincent Wheatley defended the position, stating the BVI's small population makes a specialised facility unfeasible under a regional healthcare model. Walwyn maintained that establishing local oncology services guided by a cancer registry remains vital.
Sixth District Representative Myron Walwyn has voiced strong criticism of the government's reluctance to establish a dedicated cancer treatment facility in the British Virgin Islands, arguing that the territory possesses sufficient wealth to care for its patients locally rather than sending them abroad for critical care.
During a recent sitting of the House of Assembly, Walwyn questioned Minister for Health and Social Development Vincent Wheatley regarding the status of the proposed cancer facility. The opposition lawmaker pressed for updates on estimated project costs, financial commitments, and an anticipated timeline for commissioning the service.
In response, Minister Wheatley revealed that although the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) had previously submitted a preliminary proposal, no comprehensive business case was completed and no public funds have been allocated. Wheatley stated that the initial concept was not feasible, asserting that the territory's relatively small population base could not sustain a specialised oncology centre.
Wheatley explained that Caribbean nations have instead been pursuing a shared regional framework where individual territories specialise in specific medical disciplines. Under this arrangement, patients from across the region would travel to designated centres of excellence, such as Antigua for cancer treatment, St.
Vincent and the Grenadines for paediatric care, and Trinidad and Tobago for prosthetics. Walwyn challenged the minister's position, questioning why the ministry had not demanded a comprehensive business case to properly evaluate the proposal, particularly after the subject received significant attention during previous budget deliberations.
Wheatley conceded during the exchange that he had not requested the formal assessment. Walwyn also stressed the critical need for the long-delayed national cancer registry. He argued that comprehensive local data would help identify the territory's most prevalent cancers, enabling healthcare planners to determine which specific treatments and therapies could be realistically and effectively managed at home.
Highlighting the financial, physical, and emotional burdens placed on families forced to travel abroad for care, Walwyn maintained that the Virgin Islands should leverage its resources to ensure residents can receive life-saving treatment within the territory.
Primary source: BVI News