KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Insurance companies Guardian Life and Allied Insurance Brokers have been selected as the providers of group health, life and personal accident insurance for more than 1,000 of the nation’s athletes who represent the country in various sporting disciplines.

This follows Cabinet’s approval of the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Plan (JAIP) and the selection of the companies as the providers.

Speaking at a Jamaica House press briefing yesterday, minister with responsibility for information, Senator Sandrea Falconer, disclosed that Guardian Life Insurance Company will provide group health, while Allied will provide group life and personal accident coverage.

Senator Falconer said the insurance plan has received funding support from the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the National Health Fund (NHF), and the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.

She said the national sports associations and federations have also committed to supporting the Jamaica Athletes Insurance Plan by contributing five per cent of the cost for their participating member athletes.

Senator Falconer further disclosed that Portfolio Minister Natalie Neita Headley will provide further details on the initiative.

The establishment of the plan by the Government means that Jamaica’s athletes will now be able to receive health insurance coverage tailored to their needs for the first time.

The Government scheme will include health screening as well as preventive and remedial health care.

The Jamaica Athletes Insurance Plan came out of consultations for the National Sport Policy, which was tabled in Parliament in 2013.