MINISTER of Health Dr Christopher Tufton is critical of the current free health care policy that exists, saying that it is impractical in the absence of a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Speaking at a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House yesterday, Dr Tufton pointed out that a national discourse around the concept and interpretation of free health care is needed.“It is impractical. No one should die waiting, and the reality is people are dying waiting to get services. It makes no sense creating a facade that the service is there but you have to wait 18 months to get it. A formula that guarantees universal access is needed, and the NHIS is the appropriate response to the impracticality of the literal interpretation that free health care means everything is free. The populace should recognise that it is not free. An overwhelming majority of persons depend on the public health system, there’s no insurance for that. It should be such that you contribute where possible but, at the same time, do not deny those who can’t afford to pay,” he said.During the sectoral presentation in Parliament on May 3, Dr Tufton stated that the discussion around free health care had generated mixed reviews from various stakeholders and commentators.He told Parliament: “Frankly speaking, if free means long delays, poor quality, or no access for critical services it is easy to appreciate why many persons question the practicality of the term ‘free health care’. We must be honest with ourselves and with the people of Jamaica. Health care is not free. The fundamental question is who pays?”Meanwhile, Dr Tufton said it is his belief that the Government has a responsibility to ensure that no Jamaican who cannot afford health services is left to die for a lack of access to such service but, personal responsibility for one’s health needs to be enforced.“We should never return to the days when poor Jamaicans are afraid to go to the hospital because they don’t have the user fee to pay at the registration window. However, as Jamaicans we must begin to understand the importance of taking personal responsibility for our personal health. Personal responsibility means healthy habits of diet and exercise, getting regular check-ups to know your health status, and critically, also, personal responsibility means contributing to your health care costs once you are in a position to contribute,” the health minister said.Dr Tufton added that the work to streamline the NHIS is progressing and consultants from the World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization have generated a first report looking at NHIS options for Jamaica.“We are now in the process of recruiting another internationally experienced consultant who will work with the committee that has been established to drive the deliverables of a NHIS. We intend to have a plan this year and will update the House accordingly on an implementation schedule,” he said.Dr Tufton, however, stated that he hopes to have this plan in place by the start of 2018.