More than two hundred thousand (240,000 to be exact) of the legal residents within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas have registered for, and received their National Health Insurance Smart Cards.

Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Permanent Secretary, National Health Insurance, said Wednesday that the NHI Secretariat has rolled out an ‘NHI-Ready’ Campaign to ensure that the outstanding 100,000 persons not yet registered, do so.

NHI officials are hailing the 240,000 registered Card Holders as significant as there are currently more than 200,000 legal residents who do not have access to health insurance, particularly at the primary healthcare level.

“We have made great strides this year leading up to the start of the next phase in bringing modern, affordable and accessible healthcare to all Bahamians and we want everyone to be NHI Ready in 2017,” Mr. Deveaux -Isaacs said.

“The most important pre-requisite to being NHI Ready for enrolment is to have the NIB Smart Card. If persons do not have the Smart Card, they may not be able to enroll next year, but there is still time.

“This is why the Secretariat has launched the NHI-Ready Campaign to ensure that all Bahamians are prepared for when the enrolment begins and they are able to choose their doctor and receive primary health care services free of cost at point of care,” Mr. Deveaux-Isaacs added.

Permanent Secretary Deveaux-Isaacs said the NHI Secretariat will be “ramping up” its promotional activities over the coming weeks and months encouraging people to be NHI Ready.

The Secretariat will also be providing more detailed, specific information to Bahamians in the new year on the NHI Primary Care Benefits Package -- including what exactly is covered by NHI Bahamas -- such as preventive medicine, laboratory service, imaging and medications.

Dr. Delon Brennen, NHI Project Manager, said primary care providers are those physicians who are able to deliver essential care services that the general public would need on a regular basis in an outpatient facility.

“What that means is the providers most people are familiar/comfortable with -- family medicine providers such as general practitioners, paediatricians who provide primary care services, internists, along with OBGYNs (Obstetricians/Gynaecologists) who provide ladies medical services or pre-natal services while women are pregnant,” Dr. Brennen added.

Permanent Secretary Deveaux-Isaacs said the “journey” towards Universal Health Coverage in The Bahamas through the implementation of National Health Insurance is an important one.

“Healthcare reform requires collaboration and time with many stakeholders, and I know that our team has struck the right balance in engaging stakeholders as we move towards bringing relief and support for struggling Bahamians who want to live healthier lives,” Mr. Deveaux-Isaacs said.

“The Secretariat remains steadfast in closing the gap currently experienced by over 200,000 Bahamians who do not have access to health insurance.”

By Matt Maura

Bahamas Information Services