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462 cases of cancer reported in VI from 2016 to 2022- Health Minister

- said NHI has reported an average of 14 deaths per year from cancer since 2016
February 4th, 2024 | Tags: NHI cancer diagnosis Vincent O. Wheatley HOA
The National Health Insurance (NHI) has reported an average of 41 new cases of cancer per year, over the last six years, with a high of 59 in 2022, and a low of 22 in 2017. Photo: forum.facmedicine.com
 Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has disclosed from 2016 to 2022, NHI recorded 462 cases of cancer, with notably 74 cases recorded in total in 2022. Photo: YouTube
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) has disclosed from 2016 to 2022, NHI recorded 462 cases of cancer, with notably 74 cases recorded in total in 2022. Photo: YouTube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The National Health Insurance (NHI) has reported an average of 41 new cases of cancer per year, over the last six years, with a high of 59 in 2022, and a low of 22 in 2017.

This is according to Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) in response to a question from Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull at the Continuation of the Sixth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on January 30, 2024.

According to the Health Minister, NHI reported an average of 14 deaths per year, with a high of 23 and a low of 6 in 2017.

He said from 2016 to 2022, NHI recorded 462 cases of cancer, with notably 74 cases recorded in total in 2022.

“With the advent of NHI in 2016, more persons than ever before now have access to health care and would have been able to access care for cancer and other conditions.

“This would have led to an apparent increase in reporting of cases in the early year of NHI, and access to better treatment and longer survival,” Hon Wheatley stated.

NHI numbers vs USVI based oncologist

The Health Minister also said the number for NHI does not bear out reports from a US Virgin Islands based oncologist that an average of 300 persons have been diagnosed with cancer in 3 years; “however, more persons are likely living longer and seeking more care locally than before, which is also a success story for the National Health Insurance Scheme.”

Dr Erole McLean Hobdy told a local news entity in October 2023 that since 2020, she had diagnosed more than 100 new cancer patients each year. She had also projected that by the end of 2023, the Penn Medical Centre would have diagnosed over 400 new cancer diagnoses in four years.

Hon Wheatley also said cancer and non-communicable diseases remain a significant concern for the territory.

“Apart from being a major cause of death in the territory, they consume considerable healthcare costs and are responsible for a significant number of healthy years lost.”

26 Responses to “462 cases of cancer reported in VI from 2016 to 2022- Health Minister”

  • father (04/02/2024, 13:04) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's alot
  • Really (04/02/2024, 13:24) Like (13) Dislike (8) Reply
    Since the jab that went up a trillion percent. Everyone has cancer or blood clots
  • Hmm (04/02/2024, 13:31) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    How much since the years of “pandemic”?
  • Causes (04/02/2024, 13:32) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    SMOKE FROM THE INCINERATOR AND SEWAGE OUTLET AT SLANEY
  • moses (04/02/2024, 13:49) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yet we still using archaic method of waste removal: open fire burning!

    People, WAKE UP. These politicians are playing with our lives. We need a change. Poor mental health, poor infrastructure, poor diets.

    Everything takes time but we can’t continue to stick our heads in the sand and ignore reality!

    There are issues happening on a wider scale and we continue to act like we are disconnected from the world and these issues have no bearings on our living.

    We must wake up.
  • sniff (04/02/2024, 13:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I bet most cases is coming from between Pock Wood Pond and the whole of the west.
  • To Premier (04/02/2024, 13:53) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    This us a medical state of emergency.
  • Native Senior Citizen of the British Virgin Islands (04/02/2024, 14:00) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Base on this ongoing spike of reported cancer diagnosis report in accordance with the NHI, as told by our current Health Minister, Hon. Vencent O. Wheatley, (D 9), evidence shows that is a need to cut spending on unnecessary pleasure activities and use more of our tax dollars to help reduce this unwelcome trend of cancer diagnosed patient in the BVI.
    I believe that a reduction of flesh foods eaten, especially processed foods should be disencourage or at least be deliberately reduce to a lower the relate of yearly cancer patients.
    In addition, even though we the BVI is by large a mountainous place, our Caribbean neighbors would be happy to sell us more of their plant-base organic grown foods.

    Eat health. Love honestly. Share and care for each others joyfully.
  • ok (04/02/2024, 14:06) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    so face the facts.. lets do maths.. the cost for radiation in Antigua which is one of the country recommended by NHI is $20000 NHI pays $16000 and patients co pay$4000. now in Guyana its less than $10000 for the radiation. It's less than $10000 but lets say its $10000 NHI will only have to pay $8000 and patients $2000. who don't they us Guyana as the radiation center?? BVI is now having stronger ties with that country I'm sure the two government can work out something for patients having to stay there.
  • Concerned (04/02/2024, 14:43) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can you plot where these people live on island to see if there are any envoronmental issues influencing this.
  • Local (04/02/2024, 15:33) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    Its the imported water that we drinking thats causing cancer in the states some of these water are not consume in the states that much in florida you dont see kirland, niagrand roxana so .something is wrong they only export it seems like
  • ANOTHER POSSIBILITY (04/02/2024, 15:43) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    COULD BE THOSE DOGGONE BOTTLED WATERS
  • usvi (04/02/2024, 16:07) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The process, chemical and GMO foods is the source of problems that link to these dis=ease
  • Vino i need the truth (04/02/2024, 16:13) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    My friend told me i mite die later from the incinerator but if i took the Vaccine with Boosts i will die now. Vino is there any hiding information about those vaccines that i am not aware of? For the pass 3 years i have been attending to many funerals and i wish to go to parties instead.
  • Not all cancers are the same. (04/02/2024, 16:33) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    It would be more helpful if we knew the various types of cancers that is being reported.
  • fake (04/02/2024, 17:09) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    These numbers are to low
  • Wrong numbers (05/02/2024, 01:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The real amount of cases is way higher. We have no oncologists on island hence everyone is going overseas when cancer treatment is needed
  • See (05/02/2024, 02:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pockwood Pond , sewage , and the vaccine. Nuff said
  • Oh boy. (05/02/2024, 05:46) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    That's a lot.. lord what could be causing this for sure we can't ignore plastic bottle water that store in hot ware house, ship in hot container the plastic must have some sought of erosion, Plus we are a people that take on and worry about too much little things, Stress, also most of these people are professed christian and put their trust in a fake Jesus for heeling, then when when there is no heeling, they turn to alternative cure exercise, diet, etc, its now too late...Enjoy life people. Happiness is the real and true cure. Stop living to please people, your sickness and pain is you alone..
  • pat (05/02/2024, 05:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We suspect there is going to be very low turnout for the 2027 election if the political environment doesn’t change.
  • TOXIC (05/02/2024, 10:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Pockwood pond is a cancer-causing site all the way to St John and St Thomas, the clot shot has caused a horrendous amount of heart problems and Iam guessing cancer too, plastic water bottles are known to have cacogenics. And still some politicians want to bring KFC and McDonalds to Tortola, that alone will raise cancer levels enormously. Clean pockwood pond up, stop drinking bottled water, eat healthy, exercise and destress would be a good start to reducing cancer cases.
  • El Demonio Negro (05/02/2024, 13:23) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    GOT DAMN! You all souse eating meaty mouth no greens consuming over indulging in rum drinking MS. TAKE THAT!


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