PM, Rahael ‘at one’ on free health care

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning and Health Minister John Rahael are “at one” on the provision of free medical services to the public at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) from January 1, 2005. Rahael made this point yesterday and reiterated that health care would not be denied to any citizen of Trinidad and Tobago at any public health institution simply because they are unable to pay for the treatment they require. Manning first announced that all medical services at the EWMSC would be free from January 1 when he presented the 2004/2005 Budget in Parliament on October 8. Rahael told Newsday that he had discussed this issue with Manning at length, prior to the Budget’s presentation and both of them were in agreement about what the provision of free medical services at the EWMSC meant. Rahael dismissed reports which alleged that there was confusion between himself and Manning on this issue.

He explained that patients referred to the EWMSC from public hospitals would be treated there at no cost. Rahael said this meant that these persons would not have to pay an access fee of $165 plus daily fees of $350 at EWMSC. As far as contracts between the EWMSC and corporate and energy sector companies to provide service for their employees, Rahael explained that it was the companies and not the employees themselves who pay for the medical services at EWMSC. He said it would be foolish to scrap this system because it brings invaluable revenue to the EWMSC.

Public servants with private health insurance will continue to be billed at EWMSC and Rahael said in this  case, it is the insurance which these people have which covered their medical expenses. Rahael said it was therefore incorrect for anyone to say that come January, all medical services would not be free of charge to patients. He indicated that over the next six months, the EWMSC’s capacity (more wards, staff, equipment, etc) would be increased and he did not expect a mad rush of patients at EWMSC on New Year’s Day.