EDITOR, The Tribune.

NHI - there wasn’t the detail in the debate?

We are told that the programme from day one will cost $100m - am I right to presume that the IMF are aware of this and by simple matching today’s expenditure and no increases in costs the IMF is unconcerned as to the introduction or really the continuation of what is there now and what will be. So nothing is new?

Let’s deal with those who can afford private Insurance - the basic annual deduction minimums will not affect them whatsoever unless, of course, you are sick and need medical attention to expend $2,000 in a year is quite a lot of medical care.

It will affect them on what

I perceive as the issue immediately of sector capacity - what do I mean? Capacity is can the public and the private sector provide for what will happen - more people will attend medical centres/clinics common sense tells out that the service is magically now FREE!!

Not a single word on this issue as capacity is going to be the key ingredient whether you have a new service that the people like or hate - can the 10 Government Clinics in Nassau service an increase of even 3-4 per cent additional patients? What percentage of those attending today Government Clinics will now with the availability of the private sector switch? Remember the service is now FREE!

If we are honest there are waiting lines at the Government facilities and the private – even Doctors Hospital- has Government made any calculation as to the impact of the anticipated, quite natural move, of persons who would under today’s circumstance attend a Government Clinic to the now available Free private facility?

There has not been from what the public knows any physical capacity increase at any of the lo-Nassau Health Clinics so I suggest that the launch is probably premature and if launched in January, 2017 within a short time Government will see the disaster which no one wishes but it is inevitable as it seems “capacity” has not been addressed.

Family Island Clinics - Government needs to confirm and list in detail the physical upgrades that have taken place in the islands - it is useless pontificating that services will radically improve but then there is no physical development at what are primitive facilities or at the least basic medical care facilities.

W THOMPSON

Nassau,

August 13, 2016.