Statement from Dr. Sands, Minister of Health-National Health Insurance

Wed, Jul 5th 2017, 04:56 PM

The Government of The Bahamas remains committed to the successful implementation of National Health Insurance [NHI] to further ensure that all legal residents and visitors of and to The Bahamas have access to modern and affordable health care services.

As was noted in a statement published yesterday by the NHI Secretariat, the programme is currently undergoing a restructuring process with a view to improving its efficiency. During this time, a number of individuals who had been temporarily assigned to the NHI Secretariat to fill key roles as technocrats to the project have been returned to the National Insurance Board. Included in this list was Dr. Kevin Bowe who served diligently under his secondment to the NHI Secretariat. I was advised that Dr. Bowe has elected to move on to the private sector.

I salute the many dedicated and hard working officers who contributed tirelessly on the front line and in the corporate office to ensure that the ground work for NHI was crafted at the highest level of technical expertise and professionalism.

Our focus will now be on adjusting the thrust of NHI to add value to our existing system while utilizing the expertise and capacity that is already present.

We must make our health care system better, eliminate waste and improve outcomes.

It should also be noted that in light of the recent rumours and allegations regarding NHI Bahamas circulating in the local and social media, I wish to advise that the recent allegations surrounding “$25 million missing” is a categorically false assertion. There are no persons being investigated in this regard.

As the Minister of Health, I am personally committed to ensuring the successful and responsible rollout of NHI Bahamas and I ask for the support of my fellow Bahamians.

Our focus will be on adjusting the thrust of NHI to add value to our existing system while utilizing the expertise and capacity that is already present in country.

Please be assured that The Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas will continue to act in good faith and make decisions that are in the best interests of Bahamians as we move closer towards Universal Health Coverage for our great country. Further, we will do so in an open and transparent manner.

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