By Vernon Daley, Staff ReporterTHE LONG-AWAITED National Health Fund (NHF), which will provide low-cost drugs to Jamaicans suffering from chronic diseases, is to be up and running by next month.
Health Minister John Junor told the House of Representatives yesterday that Cabinet has approved a $2.2 billion financing plan for the Fund, clearing the way for its implementation on April 28.
"Government, through the fund... will bring a better life for the individuals and families facing the challenges of treating and managing the epidemic of chronic diseases," the Minister told the House.
About 750,000 Jamaicans, suffering from 14 chronic illnesses are expected to benefit from the initiative. However, persons living with the deadly HIV/AIDS disease will not qualify for assistance under the programme.
Illnesses covered by the fund are arthritis, asthma, breast cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, glaucoma, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, major depression, psychosis, rheumatic fever and vascular disease.
Financing for the fund will come from three sources. They are a 23 per cent tax on tobacco products, which will rake in $1 billion; a $800 million contribution from the National Insurance Fund; and a $400 million charge on the Consolidated Fund.
"The mechanism that has been developed for the financing of the Fund is sustainable and the operation of the Fund will significantly improve health security," Mr. Junor said.
Taxing tobacco products, he explained, is not only meant to raise money but was also in keeping with the Health Mini-stry's policy of reducing tobacco consumption.
The Fund will be administered as a statutory body with representation from a wide cross-section of people. Further details about how it will operate will be contained in Bill set to come before Parliament early in the new legislative year, which begins on April 3.
To benefit from the Fund, persons will need a registration card, which they will be able to secure through the Electoral Office of Jamaica, using their Tax Registra-tion Certificate and a valid ID. In addition, persons will have to produce certification from a doctor stating their illness and an assessment of their condition. Using their registration cards, persons will then be able to get reduced drugs at approved pharmacies.
As originally conceived in 1997, the Fund was supposed to have provided three services inpatient hospital care; drugs; and laboratory and diagnostic services. However, with a price tag of $14 billion the plan was revised and the focus shifted to the provision of drugs only.
Opposition Leader Edward Seaga queried whether the Government should not make special provisions under the scheme for children and elderly persons who require expensive surgery and care but are unable to afford it.
"I wonder if it would not be possible, if not on sound grounds, then on compassionate grounds, to include persons over 75 and children under 10 in respect of all illnesses?" Mr. Seaga asked.
