BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 23.2018 – MINISTER of Health, Hon. Eugene Hamilton has told the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland that for St. Kitts and Nevis, Universal Health Coverage for all meets the high bar of a fundamental right.
That is in view of the fact that global political decisions about food, nutrition, and medication have had direct adverse impact on global health.
While addressing the Assembly, the Minister explained that nation-states must ensure mitigation against the escalating Healthcare costs and effects of such decisions, and should at every turn, engage in influencing such decisions for the benefit of mankind.
He noted that in St. Kitts & Nevis, Universal Health Care Coverage will entail a package of essential health services that are accessible to all citizens with or with communicable and non- communicable diseases.
“We have sought partnership with our oldest ally, ‘the Republic of China on Taiwan’ to introduce a Chronic Kidney Disease Programme to address the growing need for Haemodialysis. That should result in the decreasing need for costly and intrusive responses to Renal diseases.”
St. Kitts and Nevis has a growing problem of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and hypertension. It is a problem that health officials are looking to have addressed before the coverage is implemented.
“My country needs and seeks significant resource support to bolster the core capacities to effectively respond to epidemics of NCDs and Addictions, Climate Change, New and Re-Emerging Infections, and Chemical and Radio-nuclear accidents,” added Hamilton.
He pointed out that they appeal to key agencies, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Global Fund.
Against that backdrop, he placed on record his appreciation for the financial and other support provided by the people and governments of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina over years.
He explained that at this critical juncture, the need to implement the UHC, are more profound than ever, coming at a time when the demands on the federation’s scarce resources constrain officials.
“I, therefore, conclude by pointing out that instituting Universal Health Coverage in St. Kitts and Nevis requires the sustained provision of targeted technical and other assistance; and I encourage WHO through its partners PAHO and CARPHA, to walk this journey with us; help us build human and institutional capacity now, right now.”
