Faster Processing of NHF Cards at Savanna-La-Mar Hospital

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Fund (NHF), Everton Anderson, says the processing of NHF cards at the Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital, in Westmoreland, will have a quicker turnaround time soon.

Addressing a Rotary Club of Savanna-la-Mar meeting at Hotel Commingle in Westmoreland on October 9, Mr. Anderson said that by the end of this year, it will take just 15 minutes to process NHF cards at the hospital.

“Five years ago to get an NHF card, you had to fill in your form and we send the card by mail. At that time, about 30 per cent of those cards were returned to us because many people were no longer utilising the postal service. We decided to try the same-day card printing at the NHF head office and it worked well. What that meant is that within 15 minutes of completion of the (NHF) form, you got a card,” Mr. Anderson noted.

He pointed out that this process will eventually be in all parishes, as it is imperative that patients have quick access to the cards.

Meanwhile, Mr. Anderson dismissed claims that the public sector is inefficient, emphasising that the NHF is “committed to not only speaking about being efficient, but demonstrating it.”

He also highlighted that the NHF is committed to improving access to much-needed medication by citizens in all parts of the country.