Launch of $2.5-B national health fund next month
WESTERN BUREAU — Government is expected to launch its $2.5-billion national health fund (NHF) next month, as it moves to tackle the problem of chronic diseases and to upgrade the island’s public sector health-care system.
Health Minister John Junor told the Observer yesterday that the Fund will get financial support from the National Insurance Scheme, as well as revenue generated from a ‘sin tax’ — a levy on the consumption of tobacco and alcohol.
He was speaking with the Observer after a regional workshop for Montego Bay business leaders, that examined the impact of HIV/AIDS and other diseases on the workforce and the economy.
The health minister said roughly $1-billion from the NHF will be used to purchase pharmaceuticals for patients with chronic diseases, at government-owned pharmacies; while $300-million will be used for programmes aimed at promoting good health.
The balance, he added, will be used to provide health support funds which will help with the upgrading of the public sector health-care system.
Pharmaceutical benefits that will be available under the fund, will mean that more than 700,000 persons suffering from one or more chronic diseases will be able to get medication, at significantly reduced prices, from public and privately owned pharmacies, the minister said.
“The benefit will be an entitlement for all persons who are certified by a medical practitioner as suffering from the condition and it does not have an age barrier,” Minister Junor explained.
The list of chronic diseases covered under the fund includes:
* epilepsy, hypertension and glaucoma;
* diabetes, breast and prostate cancer; as well as heart disease.