Chief Medical Officer Dr Irad Potter (left) and Deputy Director of the BVI Social Security Board Mr Roy Barry discussed the implementation plans and benefits of the proposed National Health Insurance programme during a press conference held today, November 30, 2012. Photo:VINO

He indicated that the programme is currently awaiting the passage of relevant legislation and disclosed that the completion of the new Peebles Hospital currently under construction is instrumental to the implementation of national health insurance. The hospital is expected to be completed in August 2013 as well.

He further explained that the programme includes a benefit package of primary, secondary and tertiary care in public and private facilities and added that it will include a network of registered health practitioners and facilities both locally and overseas.

The BVI Social Security Board with the National Health Insurance Division, will be the statutory body responsible for management of the NHI. The steering committee of the NHI is being chaired by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Irad Potter.

Dr Potter said the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) programme is designed to be a sustainable contributory insurance plan.

He related that the country has had discussions about a health insurance plan as far back as 1986 and in the interim there had been many starts and stops. Since then, he explained, a considerable amount of work had been done in relation to studies being conducted on the economy and health industry of the country as well as dialogue with the population.

The objectives of the plan are to ensure that every legal resident of the Territory will have access to health care, access without consideration of age, previous illness, etc. It is expected therefore, that no registered members will be denied access to healthcare because they cannot afford to pay since all registered members could access care in both the private and private sector.

The cost for care will be met by contributions made by registered members as well as the government. Funding for the program is expected to be derived from general social security funds. Beneficiaries will be able to access funds for the programme three months after its implementation.

Meanwhile, proposed limits have already been set for the programme but were not revealed during the press conference.

“One of the expectations”, he disclosed, “was that this national plan would have the involvement of both the public sector providers and private sector providers… it means that monies which are spent on health in the territory can be reinvested in the development of health services in the territory.”

Speaking on the issue of a consistent improvement of the quality of local healthcare in relation to the planned programme, he related, “it means that persons will no longer go overseas for things that can be done here and that monies can be reinvested here to constantly improve both the quality and the scope of services offered in the territory.”

According to Dr Potter, one of the advantages of the NHI programme is the provision for investing in health promotion and prevention which he indicated most private health insurance plans do not cater for.

Provisions are also being planned for a medical review commission to consult with physicians on overseas care. It is proposed that overseas care will be done on the basis of its necessity and also medical indications.