The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization has backed the government’s push for National Health Insurance, but recommended a stronger, multi-sectoral approach to advance its implementation.

Dr Carissa Etienne, during her first official visit to The Bahamas last-week, said the need for a “health in all policies” approach to address The Bahamas’ health challenges is clear.

She said: “Populations are growing, demographics are changing and so must our approach to health.”

She said the Caribbean faces a tsunami from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that cannot be solely addressed by the Ministry of Health.

Instead, it will require collaboration and a multi-sectoral approach, she said.

She stressed that the government’s commitment to health reform is based on “equity, solidarity, a focus on the poor, the vulnerable and those individuals excluded in the current health system,” but warned that patience on behalf of the government would be critical as citizens work to better understand the process of NHI.

Stating that one in four Bahamians suffer from hypertension and one in five from diabetes, Dr Etienne stated that a stronger focus needed to be placed, not only on the quality of healthcare provided, but its availability.

“We cannot ignore this problem any longer. It is affecting persons at a younger age and it will create a burden on your national health system if other ministries and sectors do not see health as their focus,” she added.

“Health systems strengthening based on a primary health care approach while simultaneously improving secondary and tertiary care, is the most cost-effective with the biggest benefit to our countries,” said Dr Etienne.

She said strengthening the different levels of patient care is important while it is vital that we have “a strong focus on health promotion and prevention and addressing the social determinants of health”.

Dr Etienne highlighted the many ways in which Pan American Health Association (PAHO) has provided technical support and help to countries to advance universal health care including evidence and support for infrastructure upgrades, help with health financing options, identifying options to reduce inefficiencies, generic drug procurement through the PAHO Revolving Fund, and recommendations on government health spending.

Dr Etienne’s comments came during a high level ministerial luncheon, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the PAHO/WHO Country Office for The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The event marked the first major dialogue between government and community leaders with the director on her first official visit to the country.

In its 2015/2016 budget, the government allocated $260m for the Ministry of Health. Of that figure, $200m was for the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) and the remaining $60m allocated for the phased implementation of NHI.

The plan is expected to roll out over a five-year period, which is expected to start in January 2016. Despite this and other criticisms over the implementation of NHI the government says it remains committed to its January 2016 date of introduction.