The committee appointed to organise a national health insurance (NHI) plan is in need of new technical talent to bring the plan to fruition, according to Minister of Health Dr. Perry Gomez.

The minister told reporters yesterday that the plan, which is designed to make healthcare more affordable for Bahamians, is coming along well.

“We’re looking forward to getting technical people more involved beginning next month so that we can get into the nuts and bolts of national health insurance,” he said.

“A lot of the work was already done in the first commission and the committee has been reviewing the documents we have and learning what the plan is all about. The team is very committed and I am optimistic as to what’s going on.”

According to the minister, the committee has been meeting for the past two months and should be prepared to give an idea of the total cost for the development plan.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Delon Brennen has been named the chair of that committee.

Just last month Dr. Gomez stressed that he has always believed that a social health insurance programme is most needed by those fellow Bahamians who cannot afford private healthcare.
He said a national health insurance programme would generate additional funds that would alleviate the burden on the national purse and provide the resources for improved and expanded health services to our people in the clinics and hospitals.
He added that the insurance would also be extremely beneficial to Family Island residents.