Brug updates on SZV, sexual harassment, mental health funds, other matters under VSA

GREAT BAY--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Hon. Richinel Brug, on Wednesday provided the public with an update on several matters under his Ministry, including progress on mental health funding, social insurance debts, substance abuse awareness among youth, and developments in institutional leadership and legislation.

𝟏.𝟑 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝

The Minister confirmed that a promised allocation of XCG 1.3 million to the Mental Health Foundation has been completed as of June 20, 2025. This financial injection was earmarked to assist the Foundation in managing the increased number of patients and to support both operational costs and long-term structural improvements.

“This transfer reflects our continued commitment to strengthening mental health care on the island and ensuring that our key institutions are equipped to meet growing public needs,” the Minister noted during his briefing.

𝐃𝐞𝐛𝐭 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: 𝐒𝐙𝐕 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐏𝐒

Responding to a previously unanswered question from Member of Parliament Emil Lee, the Minister disclosed that the current estimated debt to SZV stands at XCG 69,092,000 for OZR-related matters (including PP cards and civil servants), with an additional XCG 49,598,000 tied to the division of assets, government services, and statutory premium contributions. Minister Brug clarified that there is no interest charged on these outstanding debts, and therefore no formal loan agreement exists.

With regard to the debt to APS, the Minister reported a total outstanding amount of XCG 11,133,000. He further explained that the Ministry of Finance and APS have reached an agreement to reduce this figure. As APS falls under the purview of Finance, the Minister encouraged any additional questions to be directed to the Ministry of Finance for further clarification.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐞: 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Addressing concerns raised about young people inhaling household products and other harmful substances, Minister Brug stated that he was first made aware of the issue during a press briefing. He immediately tasked his cabinet with engaging Turning Point Foundation and key stakeholders.

As a result, the Ministry of VSA will be launching a national awareness campaign, in collaboration with the Ministries of Justice and Education, as well as Turning Point Foundation. The initiative will focus on raising awareness among parents and youth about the dangers of drug use and inhalants.

“I encourage all parents to have open and honest conversations with their children about drugs, sex, and other difficult issues,” the Minister said. “These are discussions that should not wait. Our children's safety depends on us being proactive.”

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞

Minister Brug also provided a long-awaited update on a sexual harassment case involving individuals within the Ministry of VSA. While the matter was initially handled by the Ministry of General Affairs, Brug noted that he was informed just recently that the final investigative report has been submitted to the Acting Secretary-General of VSA. It remains unclear whether the Ministry of General Affairs has also received the report.

Minister Brug stated that he intends to engage both the Acting SG and the Minister of General Affairs to determine next steps, including how to formally notify the parties involved. At this stage, no additional public details were shared, and the matter remains under internal administrative review.

𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐙𝐕

The Minister announced that the current CEO of SZV, Mr. Glen Carty, will complete his term in October 2025. The Supervisory Council began the recruitment process on February 28, 2025, and officially submitted its final report and nomination to the Minister on June 27, 2025.

Of the 14 total applicants, six candidates were interviewed in the first round, followed by four candidates in the second round. One individual has been nominated for the position.

Minister Brug emphasized that the selection of SZV’s next leader is a crucial institutional appointment with long-term implications. He strongly cautioned against interference, distractions, or the circulation of confidential information, adding that the integrity of the process must be upheld.

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

Providing an update on one of the Ministry’s flagship policy initiatives, Minister Brug confirmed that the draft National Health Insurance legislation remains under review by the Social and Economic Council (SER). The Minister has already met with the SER three times, most recently alongside the Minister of Finance.

The Council is reportedly in the finalization stage of its review, and once its feedback is submitted, the Ministry will finalize the legislation and prepare to submit it to Parliament for debate and potential approval before December 31, 2025.

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