ENROLMENT in the National Health Insurance programme has increased by nearly 20 percent so far this year.

According to NHI officials, the initiative's popularity has "increased significantly" during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Following an initial downturn in enrolment as Bahamians took lockdown measures to fight the pandemic, enrolment numbers have surged," NHI officials said in a press release.

"A record number of Bahamians have successfully enrolled in NHI to gain access to a family doctor and laboratory testing free of charge at the point of service. Overall in 2020, NHI enrolment numbers have increased close to 20 percent."

Since NHI's April 2016 launch, more than 85,000 Bahamians and residents have enrolled in the programme, which represents about 30 percent of Bahamians without private health insurance.

"We know NHI enjoys strong support among Bahamians," chairman of the National Health Insurance Authority board Dr Robin Roberts said. "However the growth in enrolment during the pandemic has exceeded our expectations. We had expected the switch from in-person to online and telephone enrolment would affect enrolment, and while this was initially true, as the pandemic has gone one, our enrolment has reached record levels."

NHI expects to see continued growth in enrolment as the pandemic continues.