Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville pointed out important pillars of the National Health Insurance programme to members of the medical profession at a Ministry of Health National Health Insurance (NHI) Workshop for private physicians in Grand Bahama on Thursday, January 14, at the Sir Charles Hayward Library.

He said what is necessary, in addition to private healthcare providers and private health insurers, are these key components:

·      All legal residents will be beneficiaries of the NHI system.

·      All beneficiaries will be able to choose a primary care provider as the system is being built around strong primary health care. The choice of primary care provider will include both public sector and private sector facilities, depending on the beneficiary's preference.

·      Beneficiaries will be able to choose their insurer from the private insurers certified to work with NHI, or the public insurer.

·      Bahamians will continue to be able to purchase supplementary private health insurance for any benefits not covered trough NHI.

·      A vital benefits package, starting with primary health care as an initial phase, has been developed that ensures that the most critical health care needs of NHI members will be met and financed by NHI.

Minister Darville said: "Colleagues, I am pleased to confirm that significant progress has been made and continues to be made to ensure the launch of National Health Insurance in 2016.”

He pointed out, “in Grand Bahama, we have seen the impact of renovating the clinics and expanding hours, but still there are too many Bahamians experiencing long waiting times, lack of basic medications, and financial catastrophe when they have to meet the high cost of health care.

“Furthermore, health spending in the nation has more than doubled in the last decade; yet, each year, we are getting the same, or worse, results. The time has come for greater accountability and transparency in public health financing.

“We are committed to the establishment of a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system that delivers value for money in health care; and we have developed a phased approach to implementation that we are confident will ensure affordable universal access to care."

Improving the health of Bahamians is a top priority for the government, said the Minister.  He noted that investing in health will enable citizens to live longer with the ability to pursue the life they desire, thereby creating stronger growth and prosperity for the nation.

"Just last year," he continued, "the World Health Organization (WHO) affirmed that every dollar invested in providing universal health coverage will return up to 20 dollars in expanded economic growth within a generation.

“Expanding our healthcare system in Grand Bahama and throughout the nation will also create job opportunities, training, and improve the lives of the hard-working members of our healthcare workforce."

In closing, the Minister for Grand Bahama said the government will finance the initial phase -- enabling those registered to receive healthcare services without having to come up with a co-pay when receiving services.

Also present during the one-day workshop were Marco Rolle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Permanent Secretary, NHI; Dr. Glen Beneby, Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health; Dr. Delon Brennan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer; Charlene Bain, Administrator, Department of Public Health; Herbert Brown, Managing Director, Public Hospitals Authority; Dorothy Hepburn, Hospital Administrator; and James Cercone, Consultant NHI.

NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE WORKSHOP - The Ministry of Health hosted a one-day workshop on National Health Insurance for private physicians in Grand Bahama, January 14, 2016 at the Sir Charles Hayward Library. Shown from left are: Herbert Brown, Managing Director, Public Health Authority (at the podium); Sharon Williams, Hospital Administrator, Rand Memorial Hospital; Marco Rolle, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama; Dr. Glen Beneby, Chief Medical Officer; and Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Permanent Secretary, National Health Insurance.

THE HON. DR. MICHAEL DARVILLE, Minister for Grand Bahama. (BIS Photos/Vandyke Hepburn)

By Robyn Adderley | Bahamas Information Services