Over $28 Billion Disbursed Under NHF

The National Health Fund (NHF) has spent $28.32 billion over the last decade as it continues to provide for the healthcare needs of Jamaicans.

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Fenton Ferguson made the revelation as he addressed the fund’s 10^th anniversary banquet held on Tuesday, January 28, at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston.

Of the total amount, $17.6 billion was paid out in subsidy for medication, which represents the largest area of spending.

A sum of $9.72 billion was expended as part of the Institutional Benefits Programme; while just over $1 billion went towards health promotion activities.

The NHF was established in 2003, to provide financial support to the healthcare system in Jamaica, with a view to improving healthcare effectiveness and the overall health of the Jamaican population.

This is done through the Individual Benefit, which provides subsidies and pharmaceuticals to individuals for the treatment of chronic illnesses; Institutional Benefits, which provides grants to institutions for healthcare-related projects; and the promotion of healthy lifestyles and behaviours.

The Health Minister said that the institution has been key to the Government’s strategy to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“The NHF has reduced the effects of NCDs by providing increased access to pharmaceuticals to treat these illnesses as well as programmes to encourage healthy lifestyles. Currently, there are 284,880 persons on the NHF Individual Benefits Programme, while there are 135,390 on JADEP (Jamaica Drugs for the Elderly Programme)”, he informed.

The Minister, in his address, stressed the need for more focus to be placed on health promotion in order to reduce preventive illnesses.

“We have to start to put more focus on prevention, which will have important repercussions for the health bill, and for the general well-being and productivity of the population. It is cheaper to maintain health than to treat persons for their lifetime, especially when they have to seek hospital care,” he argued.

Special awardees on the night were: former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson; former Minister of Health, John Junor; the NHF’s first Chief Executive Officer, Raphael Barrett; and the first Chairman, Ryland Campbell, who were honoured for their contribution to the development of the fund.

Staff members were also recognised for five and more years of service.