Rahael promises new health plan by 2007

Rahael said a "model" for the system should be identified by the Advisory Committee for the programme by the end of this year. The introduction of the NHIS has been on the agenda of governments for several years.

Speaking about issues in health to members of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce at its breakfast meeting at the Chamber’s headquarters, Columbus Circle, Rahael said the NHIS would allow people to go to public or private facilities for service.

"The concept is that you will have a choice regardless of your status in life."

During the question session, Rahael said the NHIS would also deal with the question of "value for money" because there would be competition among health institutions. The onus would be on health facilities to treat patients properly. Based on the service, Rahael said the feedback from patients could determine if more people would use the service of health institutions.

This would deal with cost and inefficiency. Rahael said based on the services provided, institutions would receive payment.

"There will be a whole different playing field. Hospitals will have to ensure they provide the best quality service." Commenting on the negative staff attitude, Rahael said nurses and doctors would have to understand that the patient is a customer and without them they would have no jobs.

Rahael later told the media that the Health Surcharge would have to be re-examined but no decision had been made on which "model" would be implemented.

In his address, Rahael spoke of the progress which has been made in several areas in health.

He disclosed that data from the Chronic Disease Assistance Programme (CDAP) showed that more than 80,000 (60 percent) of the 130,000 people in the programme were getting medication to treat hypertension. If the disease is not controlled it can contribute to cardiac problems and diabetes.

More than 60,000 people in CDAP had cardiac illnesses and diabetes while approximately 27,000 had arthritis. Rahael said the data from the programme can be used to determine which areas had the highest number of cases and how the health sector could respond. CDAP was introduced in 2003.

Rahael announced expansion plans for district health facilities (DHF) to ease the waiting times at accident and emergency departments at hospitals for people with minor injuries. He said DHFs will offer 24-hour service and will have their own accident and emergency departments. Rahael said people who did not require major surgery could also go to the DHF. He said DHFs would be established in Diego Martin and St James. The Health Minister admitted that infrastructure work has been a challenge for the public and private sector and the pace of work on projects had been slow.

He said despite this there are plans for a new Pt Fortin hospital, refurbishment of the Sangre Grande Hospital and upgrade work at Port-of-Spain and San Fernando General Hospitals.

Rahael also focused on the reduction of surgical waiting lists, provision of equipment, and the ministry’s response to the shortage of workers in the health sector.