KINGSTON, Jamaica — Phase 11 of the Jamaica Entertainers and Creatives Insurance Plan (JECIP), which will offer health coverage for creatives and entertainers, is to be launched shortly.

The JECIP, an initiative of the Government, was unveiled in November last year. It covers members who are listed on the National Registry of Entertainment and Creative Industries Practitioners (E-Registry).

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, made the announcement while speaking at a Reggae Month symposium titled ‘E-Registry Live’, held recently at the Ministry’s Roof Top, 4-6 Trafalgar Road, Kingston.

The symposium is the first in a series of E-Registry Live events, under the theme ‘Building Bridges: Connecting the Music Industry’.

The event, which was attended by content creators, musicians, artistes, producers and creatives, also featured a panel discussion. The panellists included entertainment lawyer, Sara Hsia; Chief Executive Officer of Downsound Entertainment, Joe Bogdanovich; radio personality, Wesley “Burgerman” Burger; producer, Corey Johnson; publicist, Claude Mills and selector, Marlon Wizard.

Grange said that registrants will get a health card and will be able to access medical care at government clinics and hospitals.

“It is just like any other health card, covering your basic healthcare needs. If you are looking for more comprehensive coverage, you can make arrangements directly with the insurance provider. If you want to go to Tony Thwaites, you can, but you’ll need to pay the difference,” she explained.

She also highlighted that individuals would have access to additional services, provided by the Government, including the social pension plan and the National Health Fund.

The minister explained that the E-Registry provides the Government of Jamaica with valuable data on the entertainment and creative sectors.

She noted that music is the most represented sector on the registry with other registered creatives, including dancers, craft designers, film-makers and cultural groups from the maroon and revival communities.

“The event subsector ranks second, comprising 15 per cent of registrants while the film and television sector makes up six per cent of those registered,” Grange pointed out.

She said that the E-Registry Live events provide an opportunity for creatives to connect and collaborate on various projects.

“We want you to build on your strength and bring in new ideas and technologies to enhance Jamaica’s music industry, so bring your enthusiasm, bring your skills to the table as E-Registry Live will help you connect and build,” Grange said.

— JIS