JAMAICANS living with disabilities, who qualify for National Health Fund (NHF) benefits, can now receive twice the usual subsidy on eligible medication, medical supplies and diagnostic services, to ease the financial burden of managing chronic illnesses.

The enhanced benefit, which took effect on September 30, was officially launched on October 15 at the NHF’s offices in New Kingston.

The programme allows eligible beneficiaries to receive up to 95 per cent of the submitted cost of qualifying expenses, depending on the applicable subsidy and claim. The initiative represents a projected annual investment of $50 million.

The new arrangement targets people living with disabilities who are registered with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) and meet the NHF card eligibility requirements.

Approximately 17,000 people registered with the JCPD could benefit, with the number expected to increase as more eligible Jamaicans register.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton said the initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to making health care more inclusive and ensuring that people are not disadvantaged because of their disabilities.

“Today I say kudos to the NHF for this important benefit because our disability society [and] population deserve it, and we all are vulnerable and should see ourselves as such. This demonstrates compassion and equality in terms of the NHF’s services to the population,” Tufton said.

“It is in keeping with our mandate as a Government. The NHF is an arm of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and one of the things you have to admire about the NHF, and the departments in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, you have to evolve. And, you have to see the challenges in a context and you have to ensure that policy is all-inclusive, that is equitable and health is particularly important in this regard,” added Tufton.

— JIS