PM: NHI delay likely as govt tries to get it right

Prime Minister Perry Christie.

As of Thursday, February 18, 2016

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday said his administration’s main focus is on “getting it right” regarding National Health Insurance in the aftermath of Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez’s revelation that the implementation of the healthcare scheme will “likely” be delayed.

The prime minister said he was unaware of any country that was able to rollout universal health care over a period of five to seven years, insisting that it is a work in progress.

He was responding to a question from The Tribune on whether he was of the view that postponing NHI’s introduction would reflect poorly on the government.

NHI’s primary healthcare phase was expected to be introduced in April. Mr Christie did not give any indication of how long a delay the government was considering.

“I am never one to be judged on the basis of time sequences,” he said, following the morning session at the House of Assembly. “It’s getting it right. The reason why I am involved is to get it right.

“I said whether it is Dr (Duane) Sands or whether it is any other doctor, it’s important for the government to get it right and that’s the priority we always make. Making sure that those who have the responsibility for this get it right and the government makes decisions that it doesn’t have to go back on.

“So when it comes to timing, remember now no one is paying anything at this stage because as the minister of finance I took the position that before we reach a stage where we pass on obligations to the people of this country we must get it right.”

He added: “So all the talk about what is happening about delay, no charges have been laid for people to pay for this. We are trying to put ourselves in the position to effectuate the right approach (and) the right positions. Therefore we continue to look carefully at what we are doing. (We are) bringing in the right advice (and) the right experts who we are making available to ourselves to ensure that all of the decisions are the right decisions.”

Mr Christie also responded to Dr Sands’ criticism on Sunday that a possible delay was a sign of an incompetent government. The prime minister said any comments on NHI coming from the former senator were that of a person trying to win a seat in the next general election.

“I am sure that when he speaks to National Health Insurance he’ll be able to make a constructive intervention by doing things to advance poor people’s access to health care as opposed to trying to be an obstruction.

“So from my point of view I appreciate what his positions are because he is now a politician, he is nominated to run in a contest and I will speak to that in the House. But right now we have this issue before us today that I am dealing with and so with respect to National Health Insurance I am sure we will have a considered response to him.”

On Tuesday, when Dr Gomez was asked if the scheme will be postponed, he responded: “It’s likely.”

His statement comes after government officials insisted for months that the Christie administration would stick to its timeline for NHI despite resistance from stakeholders in the health insurance and medical communities.

“Delays ain’t no problem,” Dr Gomez said when asked by reporters to respond to a statement Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen made last week on Guardian Radio 96.9 FM when he admitted that a delay is possible.

“Delays take place in life all the time. It ain’t (going to) be forever,” he said, speaking to reporters after an equipment contract signing ceremony at the Public Hospitals Authority.

Dr Brennen, who is also NHI’s project manager, suggested last week that healthcare providers not signing up with the government for NHI was one of the chief concerns for organisers of the plan.

At the time, he also suggested that a delay in primary healthcare was possible.

The government has not yet introduced legislation for NHI in the House of Assembly.

TruePeople 8 years, 2 months ago

dis bey just says whatever when he thinks it will support his hot air...

"The prime minister said he was unaware of any country that was able to rollout universal health care over a period of five to seven years, insisting that it is a work in progress."

then how was your original plan so ambitious as to accomplish this in world record breaking times? now you want to say oh, i don't know any country that has done this so we're ok for having said we would but for failing completely........ ?!?!?

sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago

Perry is not to be judged on timelines .......... but on getting it right ........... JOKES!!!!!!!!

Honestman 8 years, 2 months ago

The PLP has been deliberately misleading its people into thinking that free and comprehensive healthcare is just around the corner. They would no doubt have been less aggressive in their attempt to implement NHI if BahaMar had opened on time. Now they are finally coming to realize that they cannot roll out even the early phases of the programme within their ridiculous timeline because the country's healthcare system is simply not ready and they have made the fatal error of not engaging the doctors and the insurers. If the PLP had ten years to play with, the party could still not implement NHI successfully! Christie needs to go back to the drawing board with this one and accept that NHI is NOT GOING TO BE PART OF HIS LEGACY. The reality is that the shrinking working class simply cannot bear the enormous cost of paying for everyone's healthcare needs. That is the reality and the PLP knows it. It is time now for Christie and the PLP to come clean and stop deluding their people that a meaningful improvement in healthcare provision is coming anytime soon. (While they are at it they can admit that BahaMar will not be opening this side of the next general election). Let's face the reality of life and work towards building an improved health care system that Bahamians can be proud of. It will be a long road but if all parties collaborate on the exercise and stakeholders are fully engaged then something good could be created. THIS IS NOT ABOUT GETTING RE-ELECTED OR ABOUT ONE MAN'S LEGACY. It is about being honest with the public and taking the time to create something we can all be proud of.

Economist 8 years, 2 months ago

The Prime Minister has done the right thing in delaying the introduction of NHI.

Good for the Prime Minister to be man enough to realize the errors of his ways and delay this.

I know hope that he will fix our broken health system, and plug the $100 million annual leak before considering NHI again.

Well done P.M.!!!

ThisIsOurs 8 years, 2 months ago

You're right, it's a good opportunity to say, "told you so", but if we applauded them more often for averting disaster, perhaps they'd adopt a more agile approach (in every project) rather than bull headedly thinking that turning back wasn't an option...or maybe not...

Emac 8 years, 2 months ago

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/20...">

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http://thetribune.media.clients.ellin...">All of the PLP promises can be found in this truck. by Emac

Tarzan 8 years, 2 months ago

“I am never one to be judged on the basis of time sequences,” Boy did the P.M. get that one right! Seriously someone please help me to understand how things are approached by this government. In each and every case involving critical infrastructure or system of social importance, this government turns to "outside experts" 'for secretive guidance, while entirely ignoring the Bahamian stakeholders in the feature or process under consideration.

Then there is a surprise announcement that something massive is about to be sprung on the public with no notice, no details. Then after pandemonium breaks out, the purported "details" are leaked out, one drip at a time, until there is nearly mass hysteria over the botched legislative proposal, and this P.M. announces that the matter is being "reconsidered".

Help this confused reader to know what possibly is gained by this madness. Would it not make more sense for government to meet with and consider the views of the Bahamian stakeholders as the first step and not the last?

cmiller 8 years, 2 months ago

Jesus take the NHI wheel!!

Isn't this what people were saying to this fool for awhile?? Now he's jumping out with this announcement like its a brand new idea!!!!

sealice 8 years, 2 months ago

get it right PGC rightupyerARS!!!!!

asiseeit 8 years, 2 months ago

How can anybody believe a word this punk says. He has proven himself to be a teller of untruths, immoral, unethical, biased, and a corrupt man who believes in cronyisum. How can The Bahamas tolerate a man who looks out for his own (PLP) before he looks out for the best interest of the country?

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PM: NHI delay likely as govt tries to get it right