The National Health Fund’s (NHF) performance for the 2024 calendar year demonstrated improved access to healthcare.

Throughout the year, 2,793,165 prescriptions were filled at the Drug Serv chain of pharmacies, meeting the medication needs of over 700,000 Jamaican residents. The NHFCard programme also increased with 27,977 new beneficiaries, bringing the total to 350,755 active beneficiaries.

The NHFCard Programme saw 4,831,834 claims processed and provided nearly J$9.1 billion in subsidies for cardholders, the average subsidy paid being 50.47 per cent of the cost of the drugs. In addition, changes to the NHF and Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme (JADEP) drug lists were implemented, including adjustments to drug limits, label names and the addition of new active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).  Notably, subsidies for over 600 drug items used to treat 13 of the 22 conditions covered under the NHFCard were also increased in October of 2024.

The NHF also expanded benefits for screening with the introduction of subsidies for Pap Smear. Women aged 21 to 64 are offered a $1,300 subsidy for Pap Smear tests, promoting early detection of cervical cancer. Low-risk women are eligible for this subsidy every three years, while high-risk women can access it annually. Additionally, the subsidy of $1,600 for the PSA testwas expanded to include all Jamaican men aged 40 to 75. This group can access the benefit annually to support early detection of prostate cancer. 

According to NHF chief executive Everton Anderson, the organisation remains focused on its mission to improve health outcomes by increasing access to necessary healthcare services and medications.

“Our work is guided by our vision of reducing financial barriers to health care, and as we continue into 2025, our priority will be to enhance our services and partnerships to better address the healthcare needs of the population, ” he stated.

The NHF is dedicated to providing funding for specified healthcare benefits, health promotion, and pharmacy services in a sustainable, efficient, and customer-centric environment.