Gareth Davis, Gleaner WriterPORT ANTONIO, Portland:
THE NATIONAL Health Fund (NHF) held a community day and workshop at the Seaside Friends Church, in Hectors River, Portland, on Thursday, offering free treatment and advice to more than 300 residents from nearby communities.
The residents also benefited under the NHF, receiving blood pressure (hypertension) tests and diabetes check-ups from medical personnel assigned to the health fund. More than 30 other residents were also given the opportunity to join the NHF programme and will become beneficiaries of cheaper and more affordable drugs.
Karen Carty, marketing assistant at the NHF, said the funding provided towards national health care goes a long way in assisting persons with certain chronic illnesses including epilepsy, psychosis (a mental illness), cardiac arrest, prostate cancer, breast cancer, glaucoma and major depression.
"Persons are benefiting from subsidised drugs through the NHF," said Ms. Carty. "We have identified 15 chronic illnesses and persons can benefit by getting a health card through the NHF, which is to be presented at the pharmacy, where they will be able to access cheaper drugs."
She said residents are not asked to pay any premium, noting also that it is a social insurance. She added that drugs are dispensed on a monthly basis, by the NHF, based on what is prescribed by doctors.
COMMUNITY DAY SESSIONS
All 14 parishes are benefiting under the NHF, which is available to anyone who suffers from any of the conditions specified, regardless of age group. The NHF scheme also holds community day sessions across the island every Thursday to sensitise residents about the benefits of the health fund and to get new persons on board.
Many of the residents who turned out for the community day at Hectors River expressed gratitude for the assistance given to them for health care by the NHF. Many said they will now be able to access drugs at a more realistic cost to treat their many illnesses.
