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News
Health ministry aims to spend $1b less this year
Thursday, September 23, 2010
THE health ministry is looking to spend $1 billion less this year based on belt-tightening strategies Health Minister Rudyard Spencer says the agency is undertaking.
The minister said part of the effort included finding less expensive sources of drugs, which has already resulted in savings of $386 million, better management of overtime sessions and emergency duty roster for key health workers, which has saved over $44 million dollars.
Spencer, who was making his contribution to the 2010-2011 Sectoral Debates Tuesday, said $506 million in savings will also come from staffing changes, $42 million from improved debt management and $30 million from other changes in maintenance, service delivery and catering.
"Almost $400 million of this amount represents savings resulting from procurement foregone based on gifts received in the South East Regional Health Authority," Spencer told Parliament.
In the meantime, he said the abolition of user fees for Jamaicans to access the public health system has over the last two years, saved the public over $4 billion collectively.
Giving a breakdown, the minister said patients who registered for admissions saved $476 million while those who had surgeries saved $649 million. He said visits to health centres saved patients $661 million, adding that outpatient and accident and emergency patients saved over $793 million, while those who accessed pharmaceuticals and medical supplies at public pharmacies saved over $1.4 billion.
"All things considered, the people of Jamaica have enjoyed a good three years as far as the health service is concerned," Spencer said, noting that more health workers were being trained and put on the ground in response to complaints that the removal of user fees had resulted in more persons seeking care which pushed the already strained system nearer breaking point.
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9/23/2010
That is good, but you also need to have some of the old nurses, who are moving too slow to resign. Employ new fresh legs instead of sending them overseas. Time is money, too many old people in a health sector can result in loss of lives.
9/23/2010
If that money is being saved, why isnt it being re-invested in the health sector?
9/23/2010
Most of our Hospitals are suffering from a shortage of important Medical equipments. A shortage of skilled Doctors in areas of Cardiology, and other branches. You should nogotiate with the Canadians, Germans, Americans on the subject of improving our Hospitals. The Cubans are willing to send us Doctors, there are very good Doctors in Cuba. They assisted us very good in the Seventies. Too much Money have been channelled the wrong way. Ministers go to Florida for treatment, it's poor in Jamaica.
9/23/2010
I have a problem with your auditing here Mr Spencer: Your idea of obtaining Medecine at a Cheap cost might not be a Good idea. There are Medecines which is not up to the Standard, but can be sold to a 3rd World Country at a Cheap cost. Medecines which have not been administered before it's expirary date; what do you do with it?") "Or do you order a limited amount. The problem of overcrowding in Hospitals, (2) patients on one Bed, have you addressed this problem?"; No ambulances, Instruments etc
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