Employers Federation gives Sir Molwyn a deadline for appointing a board of directors for the MBS

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REAL NEWS: Sir Molwyn Joseph, the minister of health, has been given a deadline to appoint a board of directors for the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) or face further action from the Employers Federation.

In a letter to Joseph dated November 6, 2023, the Federation articulates the concern being voiced by workers, employers, and patients alike: That the Scheme is operating without a “functioning board” and, therefore, outside the ambit of the law.

Further, the Federation reminds Joseph that this breach had been brought to his attention since September 19.

Not having received a response up to one month later, the body reportedly passed a resolution at its Annual General Meeting, on October 19, to write again and reiterate its concern about the “unacceptable situation.”

According to the correspondence, in keeping with its fiduciary responsibility, the Employers Federation had submitted the name of its own nominee to the board since June 2023. Yet, to date, no meeting has been convened, the letter says.

“We maintain that the MBS Board is necessary for the oversight of the Scheme,” the Federation tells Sir Molwyn. Accordingly, it has given him 14 working days “to immediately restore a sense of normalcy to the operations of the scheme.”

The letter stops short of advising the minister what course of action the organization will take, however.

But it is copied to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, the attorney- general, the trade unions, and the media.

The Federation has a vested interest in the running of the government corporation: Its members are mandated not only to submit salary deductions to the Scheme on employees’ behalf, but to match those contributions although at a higher percentage.

Meanwhile, REAL News reported, months ago, that insiders are alleging that Sir Molwyn and the former chairman of the board – whose tenure ended with the January 18 General Election – are, in effect, making decisions on both the MBS’ financial operations and
applications for medical assistance – which are functions of the board of directors.

At present, cancer patients are complaining that their requests to the MBS for certain prescribed medications are being delayed “at the board level” while they languish.

“They’re just stalling us,” one tells our Newsroom, “because they know – and we know – there is no board. So our health and our lives are up in the air while they play God.”

Meanwhile, another patient, who has been directed to Colombia for treatment, says she believes that a functioning MBS board would have been able to keep the Cancer Centre open for patients’ benefit.

She says she is “dreading” having to travel all the way to South America, where she knows no one and does not understand the language, for treatment that used to be available right here.

The Cancer Centre was closed mid-year after the majority shareholder decided he could no longer continue running an unprofitable operation.

However, one full year before it was shut down, Sir Molwyn and Prime Minister Gaston Browne had been apprised of the operator’s intentions.

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11 COMMENTS

  1. REMIND ME AGAIN, WHAT DID THE HEALTH MINISTER MOLWYN ‘ASTRAZENECA’ JOSEPH GET HIS KNIGHTHOOD FOR?

    ANSWERS ON A POSTAGE STAMP PLEASE …

  2. It’s important that a Board is appointed without any further delay. Operating outside the law no matter how well-intentioned the administration is, is simply unacceptable. This is one more issue that must take priority.

  3. You get the leaders you curse others and your family for. I so hope that the board will be made up of educated people, with the appropriate education. Degree holders please.

  4. Molwyn why you talking?
    Why?
    Go fix the issues at the hospital!
    Go!
    Why you talking?
    Geez!!!
    Why do cancer patients have to
    Spend money to travel to another country?
    Why?
    I hope you sleep well at night?
    I hope that you or none of your family members develop cancer.

  5. Time to get the rid of this inept labour party government.

    Just like how Dwayne George was sent packing, let us get the rid of the others come next election. I hope it is soon because this country is on the brink.

  6. Didn’t this joker just last week said he wished things were like in China regarding the health system and you cant have a board appointed (granted they will still be round pegs in square holes) yes they will be round pegs!!!

  7. Why is it a Board was not Constituted by Law at MBS? Did he forgot a Board does not exists at MBS? Or it was deliberately done to grab power.For Power Tends To Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.

  8. These ministers want to control all the statuary corporations. Even when a board is in place, they do as they please and ignore the board.

  9. This man should’ve taken his token and gone home. Seems like he wants to die in office (literally). He looks all his 80 something years, his body isn’t even producing adrenaline anymore so I don’t know what’s his obsession with power and he’s not ever going to live long enough to enjoy his loot and to restore and customize his ROLLS-ROYCE. He’s an old, vain, wrinkled prune.

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