Executive director of Jamaica Cricket 2007, Michael Hall (left), shows Prime Minister P.J. Patterson (centre) the site plan for the 2007 World Cup at Sabina Park yesterday. At right is Dr. Wayne Reid, chairman of Jamaica Cricket 2007 World Cup.
-Junior DowieRobert Lalah, Staff Reporter
HOSPITAL USER fees have been hiked by an average 60 to 70 per cent, effective Mon-day, a move that is expected to help the health sector collect an additional $400 million in fees annually.
Grace Allen-Young, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, argued that the increase would actually benefit patients at the island's health facilities.
"The increase in the user fees is necessary if we are to continue to deliver quality health care to our citizens. Even with the increase, we have tried to ensure that fees remain affordable to the average citizen," she said.
Mrs. Allen-Young was speaking yesterday at a press conference to announce the new fees at the ministry's King Street, downtown Kingston offices.
POLICY
The permanent secretary noted that it is the policy of the ministry that no person seeking health care will be turned away. She, however, added that those who can afford to pay the fees, should do so.
"There have been several occasions where we were given addresses for persons which turned out to be false and at times even vacant lots. We are appealing to persons to cooperate, because the costs are actually minuscule," she said.
Mrs. Allen-Young explained that the user fees, which were last
increased in 1999, only represent a fraction of the actual cost of the services being provided.
"Maternity patients, for instance, who spend one night in hospital, we have calculated the average real cost of this service to be $4,110. We are only asking people to contribute $500," she said.
The permanent secretary noted also, that assessment officers and customer service representatives will be on hand at all public health facilities to help individuals better understand the new rates. She revealed that islandwide training had been conducted for these officers and representatives to ensure a smooth transition from old to new fees.
Among the charges which are to be increased is the registration fee for public patients in all public hospitals, which has moved from $100 to $300. The registration fee for primary care patients, which means care and treatment received at a public health facility other than a public hospital, has been increased from $50 to $100 for adults and $50 for children.
For major operations, public patients will now have to pay at least $4,000 more, as the procedures will cost between $9,000 and $12,000, depending on the type of surgery. Meanwhile, a 50 per cent deposit of the estimated cost will be requisitioned for elective surgery. Minor surgeries will now cost between $250 and $12,000. The maternity delivery fee for public patients has been increased from $800 to $1,450.
