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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Michael Perry Gomez addressing members of the clergy and medical community Monday during a Breakfast Meeting on National Health Insurance/Universal Health Coverage for The Bahamas held at the Ministry of Health's Headquarters, Meeting Street. Dr. Gomez was joined by Minister of National Security the Hon. Dr. Bernard J. Nottage who serves on the Ministerial Committee along with Dr. Gomez, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama; Minister of National Insurance, the Hon. Shane Gibson; and Minister of State for Finance the Hon. Michael Halkitis. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Glen Beneby and Marco Rolle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, also attended Monday's Breakfast Meeting. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas – Universal Health Coverage provided under the country’s National Health Insurance Plan will “create equity of opportunity for good medical care” by ensuring that every Bahamian has access to health insurance “at the time they need it most,” Minister of Health, the Hon. Dr. Michael Perry Gomez said Monday.
NHI coverage for The Bahamas will also improve the overall health outcomes for individuals suffering illness and injury, while simultaneously providing security to all families and protecting those families from the high costs of treatment associated with illnesses. NHI will not be a tax, as is being described in some quarters, but will be a contribution to the scheme.
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Large scale economic benefits will also be derived from implementation of the Plan as average annual benefits over ten years are projected to amount to $85 million per annum.
“It is not a question of if we need this, but rather a question of when will National Health Insurance or Universal Health Coverage for all Bahamians begin,” Dr. Gomez said.
Addressing a Breakfast Meeting with members of the Bahamas Christian Council and other religious leaders, medical personnel and administrators from both private and public healthcare sectors and members of the National Health Insurance Steering and Advisory Committees Monday morning at the Ministry of Health’s Cafeteria, Dr. Gomez said Universal Health Insurance should be considered as “just one big Group Insurance that has no exclusions.”
Dr. Delon Brennen, Project Manager, National Health Insurance Lead Team, makes presentation to members of the clergy and the medical profession during Monday's session at the Ministry of Health. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)
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We are all in it and are in it together and so the critical word in Universal Health Insurance is equity; we create equity of opportunity for good medical care. As we try to build a stronger and better Bahamas, I think it is absolutely necessary that Universal Health Insurance be a part of that. In fact, I can’t see it without it and so to that extent, we have been working very hard and we are moving steadfastly towards implementation,” Dr. Gomez added.
NHI is scheduled to come on stream in January, 2016 and will ensure that every Bahamian and legal resident have access to healthcare services from both private and public physicians, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies and Allied Health providers. Healthcare officials say this will eliminate financial burden on individuals, improve Bahamians’ healthcare outcomes, reduce catastrophic health events and reduce emergency room visits.
NHI coverage in The Bahamas is also expected to give a boost to the country’s economic growth through higher productivity on the labour front and reduced worker absenteeism.
It is estimated that annual economic benefits from the Plan could reach almost $160 million annually by 2025, increasing from $45 million in Year One.
“The average annual benefits over ten years would amount to $85 million per year, improving the nation’s fiscal health as well as the public’s physical health,” Officials estimate.
Monday’s Breakfast Meeting with members of the Clergy and the medical profession, is part of an ongoing set of meetings members of the National Health Insurance Lead Team have been conducting with key stakeholders – including large and small businesses, civic organizations, unions, business associations and social and community groups, etcetera, as part of an extensive education and awareness campaign.
Health officials say improving access to services and decreasing expenditure growth achieved through a more cost-effective NHI system, are amongst the “numerous other financial and economic benefits that should yield savings for The Bahamas and greater income security for the majority of the country’s citizens.”
“I worked in the Princess Margaret Hospital for some 32 years and so I know of what I speak when I talk about inequity and inability to get what you need in a timely fashion for many people,” Dr. Gomez said. “NHI is not only the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do.”
Dr. Glen Beneby, Chief Medical Officer of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Ministry of Health, said implementation of the National Health Insurance/Universal Care is an opportunity “for us to show our love, our compassion and our understanding as we together build a better Bahamas.”
“At the root of it all lies compassion, empathy and love,” Dr. Beneby said. “The only way we are going to do that (build a better Bahamas) is when we come together and when we appreciate each other; when we respect each other and when we truly become our Brother’s Keeper.”
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