We are not easily impressed in this space, but the achievement of the State-run National Health Fund (NHF), in 20 years of existence, is not only spectacular, but leads one to wonder what Jamaica would have been like without its presence.

Ever so often, our political leaders hit upon an idea that is one for the ages. In the same way that the National Housing Trust (NHT) has put a roof over the heads of thousands of Jamaicans who would not otherwise have been able to afford a home, the NHF has been financing, decisively, critical health care, especially for the poorest.

The NHF is not sexy enough to make the news headlines without some kind of controversy, but we suggest that Jamaicans sit up and pay attention to an institution which Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton rightly describes as “the cornerstone of health-care financing in Jamaica”.

“When the NHF came on the scene, it provided an important intervention for what the Jamaican people needed, and what is important is that the NHF has continued to evolve to provide solutions… and to adjust to challenges,” the minister told the fund’s 20th anniversary awards gala on July 27 at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

We relish the idea that while the NHF is a creature of the People’s National Party (PNP) Government led by then Prime Minister P J Patterson in 2003, the subsequent Jamaica Labour Party Government has continued to nurse its development.

This is important because we have a history of opposing governments discontinuing even critical and transformative programmes started by the predecessor Administration out of nothing but spite and small–mindedness. Thank goodness that the practice is becoming a thing of the past.

If that had occurred, the NHF would not have developed as the critical partner it is with the Government as it carries out its mandate to construct a public health infrastructure that has meant the difference between life and death for many of our citizens.

The figures tell the dramatic story of the NHF in its mission to help Jamaicans access medication in the public and private sectors through the now indispensible NHF card, delivering in-patient and out-patient pharmacy services, and providing grants to institutions for infrastructure development, training, medical equipment, and transportation.

Since its establishment in 2003, the institution has provided almost $60 billion in subsidy payouts, and nearly $80.7 billion on its public-sector pharmacy subsidy programme, serving more than 600,000 beneficiaries up to June 30 this year, according to the Jamaica Information Service.

The fund is currently processing over three million prescriptions, compared with one million at the start. Additionally, the number of private pharmacy partners has increased from about 10 to 460.

Moreover, there have been approximately 1.3 million screening tests done in the last 15 years, and 863 projects approved at a cost of $22.8 billion. This is definitely something to make noise about.

CEO of the NHF Everton Anderson has every right to brag in declaring: “The NHF has stood as a beacon of hope, healing and touching countless lives and making a significant impact on Jamaica… and we could not have done it without our excellent staff.”

Happy 20th Anniversary, National Health Fund!