By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
MARATHON MP Jerome Fitzgerald and North Andros MP Perry Gomez were at odds yesterday over the plight of Bahamians in the country who do not have health insurance.
Mr Fitzgerald regretted the challenges of Bahamian families who struggle to afford health care and are denied the needed procedures because many times they cannot pay upfront.
He spoke during his contribution in the House of Assembly to the Electricity Amendment Bill 2014.
“What happens today (when) a person is ill and they have no money?” Mr Fitzgerald asked. “They don’t know why they are ill. The doctor says they have to get this test (and) have that scan. The total for all those is $5,000. I’ve seen some (at) $9,000.
“Until they get that. they can’t be treated. So what happens? They die. Every day people die because they don’t have access to proper medical treatment. As the Rt Honourable Member for Centreville continues to say, ‘if you are poor and you are black,’ you just die in this country.
“As citizens of this country. we have to accept that we are our brother’s keeper and no Bahamian should sleep well at night knowing that there are other citizens in this country who are in need of medical treatment.”
However, Dr Gomez who seemed defensive, rose on a point of clarification.
The minister of health said he was speaking on behalf of the hundreds of health care professionals at the Princess Margaret Hospital who offer tremendous medical services.
He said: “I want to challenge my colleague. There are some wonderful very talented and capable people who work at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
“They might take some offence to what you said here this morning. There is tremendous good work that goes on within the halls of the hospital.
“So, yes, money is important in health care that is why this government has been working continuously in trying to bring about the National Health Insurance programme, to introduce in January in next year. The issue of money and the point of care is critical to the average citizen in this country.”
He added: “Where there is no money, care is oftentimes denied. But in the public setting a lot of free care is still being given. If you look at all these gun shot injuries in our country and the great work that is being done in the hospital everyday where they are inundated with trauma of the worst kind and it is a great strain on the institution.
“I just wanted to point out some of the good and let’s emphasise the good and not the bad.”
In response, Mr Fitzgerald said he was not criticising the quality of care at PMH, but rather the inability of Bahamians to receive care for major issues if they do not have enough money.
Comments
birdiestrachan 9 years, 3 months ago
Mr Fitzgerald is 100% Correct . some times they tell you .the test is not done in the Bahamas it has to be sent off. and very often they do not have the medicine one needs. As for service , there are many who are nice people. But some of the staff is meaner than the grave. I suppose Doctor Gomez has to defend them. But Mr. Fitzgerald is RIGHT> and there are many poor people who can wright books about there experience.
duppyVAT 9 years, 3 months ago
It was just a defence of the healthcare professionals .......... Doc Perry was not antagonistic
ohdrap4 9 years, 3 months ago
The monthly cost of obama care is no different from private insurance. For folks over 60 it is the same 700 dollars per month. And like 300 for youngsters.
most pensioners get less than 1,000 per month. is health coming out of their pension?
i really resent having paid for the prescription drug plan for several years and not being eligible until age 60.
and now they are going to nip 200-300 out of my salary, in addition to the taxes that i already pay,to pay health care for others, including illegals. I will no longer be able to afford private health insurance, and will likely not be eligible for it, just like they do with the prescription plan.
duppyVAT 9 years, 3 months ago
Who will national health insurance benefit???????? indigents?????? illegals????? pensioners???? Will the ordinary person who will pay NHI be able to access healthcare OR will it come with a web of exemptions??????? Will I be able to be exempted if I am paying private insurance OR will I be forced to pay for the public health system that now caters to victims or crime/assault, expensive non-communicable diseases and those who have no savings/insurance to go to private doctors. That list is growing daily due to high cost of living, living beyond means and poor lifestyle choices. ............. so goes VAT, so goes NHI
Honestman 9 years, 3 months ago
People......do not fret over NHI. This administration is TOTALLY INCAPABLE of delivering on ANY PROMISE. Mark my words...the administration of PGC will not be able to deliver NHI before the next election REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT SAYS. All the bold proclamations on the subject are merely designed to keep the gullible on side. If the PLP was able to introduce NHI at any point during the next two years, The Bahamas credit rating would be reduced to "junk" because the analysts would regard this as reckless spending at a time when the country's economy is vulnerable. PGC and his cronies know this full well but they continue to "dangle the carrot" of NHI to their gullible supporters. They will continue to "dangle this carrot" right up until election time in their desperation to cling to power. Don't get me wrong, I think an NHI plan would be a good thing for the country to aspire to but not at this time when the people are struggling to come to terms with the imposition of VAT. NHI is for another time and another government. This administration cannot be trusted with such a large project. All sensible Bahamians know I am speaking the truth.
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