WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — The much talked about National Health Insurance Scheme for Jamaicans is to become a reality next year, according to Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton.

Dr Tufton made the disclosure during his address at a public health road tour yesterday at the Manning’s School in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland.

“We will be introducing a National Health Insurance Scheme. And that National Health Insurance Scheme is predicated on the reality that while we have free access to health care, while we believe in universal access to health care, we are going to have to ensure that we make provision for all Jamaicans, so that when the time comes for them to want to access health care, it is not just about access, but the quality of access,” stated Tufton.

The minister noted that only 20 per cent of the population currently has health insurance, adding that the 80 per cent that doesn’t, currently depend on the public health system. “And so, part of the commitment to universal access is to say to Jamaicans that we have to invest more in our health care infrastructure and where you can as a Jamaican, we are encouraging you to save something for a rainy day when you need it,” Tufton argued.

The minister further explained that similar to how private health insurers give a health card to their customers, the same will apply to the public scheme under the National Health Insurance Scheme.

More information on the initiative, he said, will be announced in coming weeks.

Anthony Lewis