Prime Minister Perry Christie said that he and the government’s commitment to the access of affordable healthcare and improved quality of health for all Bahamians remains unequivocal.

During Wednesday’s reading of the 2016/2017 Budget Communication, Mr. Christie revealed that through a joint effort with various organizations that include, the National Health Insurance (NHI)Bahamas secretariat, the Ministry of Health, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), and KPMG Bahamas the government will make health care more modern and accessible for all legal residents.

“The implementation of NHI Bahamas is reflected in our continual assessment and evaluation of our medical professionals, health care facilities, and allocation of resources and effective delivery of services.  All of these elements are of vital importance to the core of health systems strengthening and an essential aspect of the successful implementation of NHI Bahamas,” Mr. Christie said.

“We have made significant investments in the evaluation and assessment of our public health sector.  We have evaluated our public healthcare facilities, taken account of the need for additional doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, analyzed the distribution of financial and material resources and determined the deficit in terms of availability, accessibility and quality of services in our public sector.”

The prime minister said to date about 70 percent of Bahamians are still without health insurance.

Furthermore, is unacceptable that 32 percent of Bahamians who need medical treatment do not do so because of high costs.

He however also added that provisions are being put in place to deal with these issues.

“Strategic Health Systems Strengthening plans have been developed and are being implemented to bridge the gaps in all areas to support the implementation of National Health Insurance for The Bahamas,” he said.

“Since the beginning of this year, the NHI Secretariat has engaged in meaningful dialogue to educate all Bahamians about NHI Bahamas. This has included presentations to civic, corporate, religious, government and non-government entities.  The Secretariat consistently makes itself available to any and all organizations which request their presence for a presentation and discussion around NHI. They have traveled across The Bahamas, meeting local residents and speaking at town hall meetings in most islands.   Before the end of this budget year every island would have been engaged in discussions on the National Health Insurance Programme.”

Additionally the prime minister announced that the NHI secretariat has consistently collaborated with several stakeholders and cabinet has approved a single governance model that will accelerate the implementation of universal health coverage in the country.

“The approved, integrated Universal Health Coverage governance structure will allow for quick and effective decision making with transparency and accountability, as well as the alignment of health systems, and will result in greater efficiency, continuity of care and the seamless delivery of patient-centered services in the Government health sector,” Mr. Christie said.

“The accepted Integrated Universal Health Coverage governance model that my Government has adopted, following the recommendations of KPMG, is in keeping with our commitment to work with stakeholders to shape the design and implementation of Universal Health Coverage and support the advancement of health system-strengthening goals.”