By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

WHILE insisting that the government remains committed to implementing National Health Insurance (NHI), Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday failed to reveal a definite cost for the scheme or a concrete timeline for its roll out.

However, the Prime Minister said Cabinet has approved a single governance model that will accelerate the implementation of universal health coverage while providing effective oversight of the programme.

The approved, integrated universal health coverage governance structure will allow for quick and effective decision making with transparency and accountability, Mr Christie said.

During his 2016/2017 Budget Communication, Mr Christie was passionate in lamenting the “unacceptable” 70 per cent of Bahamians that still do not have health insurance.

Mr Christie said not being able to afford healthcare can result in illnesses that are preventable and that can be avoided through access to primary care, the first phase of coverage.

He said: “The provision of practical and cost effective universal healthcare to Bahamians remains a key priority of my government. The subject of National Health Insurance continues to attract healthy debate among medical practitioners and others.

“However, my commitment, and that of the government, to the accessibility and affordability of basic medical services and the improvement of the quality of life for Bahamians, is unequivocal and together with the involvement of leadership from the NHI Bahamas Secretariat, the Ministry of Health, the Public Hospitals Authority and our global partner in health care, KPMG Bahamas, we are committed to delivering health care that is modern, affordable and accessible for all legal residents of The Bahamas.

“It is also unacceptable that 32 per cent of Bahamians who needed medical treatment at some point did not seek it because of cost. It cannot be underscored enough that in a modern Bahamas this is our opportunity to provide all Bahamians with the means and wherewithal to obtain routine medical services for themselves and their families.”

Mr Christie said the implementation of NHI Bahamas is reflected in the government’s continual assessment and evaluation of medical professionals, healthcare facilities, allocation of resources and effective delivery of services. All of these elements, he said, are of vital importance to the core of health systems strengthening and an essential aspect of the successful implementation of NHI Bahamas.

NHI’s primary care phase was supposed to be launched in April. However the government delayed the roll out earlier this year.