KINGSTON, Jamaica — President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), Mark Malabver, says the organisation is exploring a critical illness insurance plan, in partnership with the Sagicor Group, to provide additional support for members.

Speaking with JIS News during the launch of the JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships on May 12, at the WBC Ben Hawthorne Conference Room in Kingston, Malabver said the initiative is being pursued based on feedback from members.

“It will provide our members with additional coverage if it is that they become diagnosed with one of the critical illnesses,” Malabver added.

He noted that more than 90 per cent of members surveyed indicated a willingness to participate in the proposed plan.

Malabver informed JIS News that discussions and negotiations with Sagicor are ongoing, with the association optimistic that the programme could be operational by September.

“We will continue the dialogue with Sagicor, and we are optimistic that by September the latest, this will be up and running,” he said.

The president further indicated that the JTA has seen a significant increase in requests from members seeking financial assistance for illnesses, such as cancer, which has created added financial pressure on educators.

“We have recognised that there has been a significant uptick in our members being diagnosed with some illnesses and it has created a financial strain on our members,” he told JIS News.

Malabver explained that while the association is seeking to expand its critical-illness fund, the proposed insurance plan would provide another avenue of support for members facing serious medical conditions.

“We do have a critical illness fund that we are seeking to build out, but we also recognise that this will be another avenue to provide that level of support for our members, in addition to the critical illness fund that we are pursuing as well,” he added.

—   JIS