By Fay Simmons

Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A Cabinet minister yesterday asserted that the current condition of Bahamian public healthcare is “economically unstainable”.

Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, speaking in the Senate on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, said improving healthcare will help to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) and ensure productivity and long-term growth is not negatively impacted due to a sick labour pool.

Highlighting that healthcare costs consume a large percentage of many household incomes, and many choose to delay treatment due to the financial strain it will cause, Mr Halkitis said the present state of healthcare in The Bahamas is not sustainable and the proposed reforms will benefit Bahamians.

“A healthy country is more secure and stable, as well as more prosperous. For example, when we have well-equipped clinics and ambulances in our Family Islands, more people feel confident about decisions to move to our Family Islands as new investments spring up, Bahamians and visitors. Investors feel more comfortable investing in islands where health care is established,” said Mr Halkitis.

“Beyond just the direct health benefits, healthcare spending consumes significant portions of family budgets. There are people right now choosing between medication and meals. Others delay critical treatment through the costs test, for example, imaging and scans, because of the cost.

“This creates not only healthcare issues, but also economic inefficiencies, as illnesses and poor health reduce workforce productivity and ultimately dampens the growth. The status quo as it currently exists is just not sustainable for the health and well-being of Bahamians, and it is also economically unsustainable.”

Mr Halkitis maintained that The Bahamas can afford to expand NHI, and the Davis administration will sustain “financial accountability and discipline” throughout its implementation.

“These five Bills represent sound healthcare policy. They demonstrate our ability to innovate in pursuit of our goals to expand quality healthcare for all Bahamians, while maintaining financial accountability and discipline. We must spend our resources wisely,” said Mr Halkitis.

“Contrary to the opinions of those who differ with the pursuit of universal healthcare coverage on the basis of cost. Some people say this costs too much; we can afford it. This administration is seeking to demonstrate that the Government and the nation can afford a significant expansion and improvement of healthcare.

“In fact, this is non-negotiable. A 21st century Bahamas with ambitions of rising in the ranks of the world’s developed nations, must take care of all its citizens.” Mr Halkitis said the Government spends “hundreds of millions” on healthcare annually, and personal finances should not determine whether an individual should access quality healthcare.

“We spend billions of dollars every year on healthcare with less than stellar outcomes. It is unfortunate when you consider the degree to which lifestyle choices, as well as personal finances, play a part. Government spends hundreds of millions of dollars, and through people losing their personal finances and insurances, healthcare is a multi-billion dollar industry,” said Mr Halkitis.

“It is well known that our country citizens have high rates of... high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases and even certain cancers, and many of these higher rates are brought on due to unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, stress unhealthy diets, including alcohol, smoking, etc.

“So personal choice is a significant contributing factor, but so is access, or the lack thereof, to quality healthcare, including primary diagnostic care.”