Abolition of hospital user fees was a good move

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer has said that Government’s no user fee policy was a step in the right direction, as this was directly responsible for the increased access to health services for persons suffering from lifestyle and other illnesses

“Since we abolished fees on April 1, 2008 visits to health centres increased by 16.3 per cent in the first year and 12.1 per cent in the second year. Visits moved from 1.5 million in 2007/2008 1.7 million in 2008/2009 and 1.94 million in 2009/2010.   We opted to make a choice that demonstrates our full and unwavering commitment to honour the fundamental rights of every citizen of this country to access social services especially in education and health without the impediment of cost,” the Health Minister noted, while addressing the 9th Caribbean Neurosciences Symposium and Workshop at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Montego Bay on January 28.  

Mr. Spencer indicated that pharmacy items dispensed moved from 1.6 million in 2007/2008 to just over 2.9 in 2009/2010.  

“At a time of unprecedented fiscal constraints, this government has moved the health budget from 21.9 billion in 2007/2008 to over 31.9 billion in the 2010/2011 fiscal year. Institutional benefit support from the National Health Fund for the purchase of equipment, rehabilitating plants, health promotion and protection, research and training, amount to over $2 billion since 2008.  Individual benefits amounted to just over $6 billion up to December of 2010,” he stated.

The Minister pointed out that based on the disease profile of Jamaica the government could not afford to retreat from its no user fee policy.  “We indicated very early in the day that we would review the policy and this would be done in the new fiscal year.  We have monitored this policy very closely and we are aware of the enormous benefits to the people of Jamaica especially those who are poor, sick and have no hope. We have never denied the challenges faced by the health sector but we remain confident that we can address them over time,” he said.

Mr. Spencer further pointed out that in the meantime, infrastructure works amounting to just under half of a billion dollars have been undertaken to upgrade facilities in the hospitals across the country , including the Mandeville, Port Maria, Cornwall Regional, Noel Holmes, National Chest, Kingston Public, Victoria Jubilee, Spanish Town and Linstead Hospitals.

“We completed infrastructure works at 67 health centres with funding from the National Health Fund, CHASE, and Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).  We have expanded services in critical areas including radiology, chemotherapy and laboratory.  The number of renal dialysis units has increased by 44 per cent in the last three years.  In addition, the establishment of the Jamaica/Cuba eye care centre in providing free and quality eye care to the people of this country,” Minister Spencer noted.

He added that some three years ago his Ministry had estimated that it would take over $6 billion to rehabilitate the country’s health plants and to re-equip the health facilities. The Health Minister noted that although this was a mammoth task, it was must be done.

“While we have a far way to go to achieve human security for the region’s peoples, we remain confident in the abilities of our people to create a future and a brighter hope for all,” Minister Spencer told the conference.

CONTACT:  GLENIS   ROSE

JIS REGIONAL OFFICE

MONTEGO BAY.