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Tuesday, 01 April 2008
User fees at most state-run hospitals and health facilities islandwide have been abolished.
Under the new regime, the cost of services ranging from registration to surgeries, have been removed in keeping with the Government's promise to reduce the cost of primary health care.
Public health workers say they are ready for the first test of the no-fee policy.
What was initially an election promise has materialised and the Bruce Golding administration is going all out to ensure a smooth implementation.
Doubts were expressed in some quarters about the Government's ability to carry out its promise and there were questions as to whether the country could afford the cost of removing fees for basic health care.
In an address to the nation Monday night Health Minister Ruddy Spencer expressed confidence that all was in place for the abolition of fees.
He explained that private patients and non-residents will continue to pay for services at public health facilities.
"Whether you are a public or private patient please take your health insurance card, National Health Fund, or JADEP card to the health facility. The public health facility will bill the health insurance company, NHF and JADEP for both public and private patients," said Mr. Spencer.
"However public patients will not be required to pay the co-payment. The removal of the fees means that if you use the public health facilities as public patients you will not be charged for those services,"
The Health Minister appealed to the public to be co-operative and not to cause disruptions at health facilities.
He said as a precautionary measure police will be in place at some institutions.
"Recent events at a number of institutions have left us concerned about the safety and security of our workers and you our patients we have been in discussions with the police to beef up security at certain facilities,"
"We will turn our faces hard against indiscipline and violence at our health facilities. We will not condone violence or indiscipline against our staff and our patients," he continued.
The removal of fees involves all public hospitals except the University Hospital of the West Indies.
Because the hospital is a regional training institution the Government has to meet with the University Council before a decision is made.
The Council is to meet later this year.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/6843/26/
User fees at most state-run hospitals and health facilities islandwide have been abolished.
Under the new regime, the cost of services ranging from registration to surgeries, have been removed in keeping with the Government's promise to reduce the cost of primary health care.
Public health workers say they are ready for the first test of the no-fee policy.
What was initially an election promise has materialised and the Bruce Golding administration is going all out to ensure a smooth implementation.
Doubts were expressed in some quarters about the Government's ability to carry out its promise and there were questions as to whether the country could afford the cost of removing fees for basic health care.
In an address to the nation Monday night Health Minister Ruddy Spencer expressed confidence that all was in place for the abolition of fees.
He explained that private patients and non-residents will continue to pay for services at public health facilities.
"Whether you are a public or private patient please take your health insurance card, National Health Fund, or JADEP card to the health facility. The public health facility will bill the health insurance company, NHF and JADEP for both public and private patients," said Mr. Spencer.
"However public patients will not be required to pay the co-payment. The removal of the fees means that if you use the public health facilities as public patients you will not be charged for those services,"
The Health Minister appealed to the public to be co-operative and not to cause disruptions at health facilities.
He said as a precautionary measure police will be in place at some institutions.
"Recent events at a number of institutions have left us concerned about the safety and security of our workers and you our patients we have been in discussions with the police to beef up security at certain facilities,"
"We will turn our faces hard against indiscipline and violence at our health facilities. We will not condone violence or indiscipline against our staff and our patients," he continued.
The removal of fees involves all public hospitals except the University Hospital of the West Indies.
Because the hospital is a regional training institution the Government has to meet with the University Council before a decision is made.
The Council is to meet later this year.
http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/6843/26/