BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, Sept.02.2018 – THE Senior Minister of Health, Eugene Hamilton is expecting to have the full roll out of the National Health Insurance Scheme by February but is eyeing October as the period when a draft will come before the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
A promise made by the Team Unity construct, now government, the National Insurance Scheme is expected to provide health coverage for all in the federation – both citizens and residents.
The brain-child of the health minister, the programme will provide significant coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and those without.
While updating the media on the programme at the prime minister’s monthly press conference yesterday at government, Minister Hamilton pointed out that officials from the University are still on the ground carrying out their work.
He reminded that earlier this year, they launched the commission that will undertake work and research to establish fit insurance policy for St. Kitts and Nevis.
“I am advised that by early October, the first I am told, they will be in a position to present to the government the path to follow. Cabinet will then make a decision; I am also advised that at that time, early October the commission should be able to undertake consultation throughout the country and engaging every social partner, including the political parties in the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” explained Hamilton.
Following those consultations, the minister is hopeful that the general public will embrace and come to appreciate what is being implemented.
The programme is being seen as a major boost for the local health sectors, as St. Kitts and Nevis, like its other sister states within the CARICOM region, is affected by non-communicable diseases.
“It is anticipated that by the anniversary date of the Team Unity administration in 2019, we should be in a position to launch the programme fully; providing coverage to persons who reside in the federation, citizens and residents alike,” he disclosed.
The Minister added: “I know that there are some persons who are currently in need of health care services, after all we are not too dissimilar to perhaps the rest of the region and perhaps many nations in the world in battling NCDs that are really very costly, not only to individuals but to the families and the overall plan.”
Hamilton has been championing the calls for people in St. Kitts and Nevis to take their health seriously, as the government over the last several years saw increasing numbers of people being diagnosed with various types of non-communicable diseases.
Even with the pending implementation of the new health insurance, the minister is still calling on persons to eat healthy and exercise.
