Dear Editor,

It is no secret that the promise of free education and free health care won the election for Bruce Golding and the Jamaica Labour Party in the 2007 General Election. Then, having been elected to Government, they had to deliver on their promise by abolishing the user fees from health centres and public hospitals, and also the paying of school fees at the secondary level.

By itself, it looks and sound like a very noble idea, but this desperate election move has cost the country dearly. Of course, having free health care and free education is what residents in most countries around the world dream of, but never have. Why would we think that this beloved country of ours, with all the economic problems that we face, would be able to offer such a costly gift to its people? I can describe this in just two words: election gimmick.

The plain truth is that we just cannot afford it at all.

The health sector have always been under the microscope, and some efforts have been made to upgrade and retrofit some of the main hospitals with adequate staffing and some well-needed equipment. All this is good, but a lot more is needed if we are to have a health sector capable of giving the type of care required.

By implementing the no-user-fee policy, you open the door to a system that is even more understaffed and underequipped. Previously, everyone was asked to pay some nominal fee when using these facilities, and about 20 per cent of those who used the facility did pay. The money collected then was not near enough to make any great difference all at once, but over time could help to solve some of the equipment and staffing problems.

A system should be put in place so that those who can pay are made to pay. Free health care should only be offered to the vulnerable groups in our society that are truly deserving of it, including children (under 18 years old) and the elderly (over 65).

Let’s stop fooling ourselves and find a way to make this happen.

Hotshots

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