Durrant Pate/Contributor

The National Health Fund (NHF) has been singled out by Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton for its stellar performance over the years.

In fact, NHF has almost doubled its expenditure on subsidies in seven years moving from J$4.18 billion in 2016/2017 to J$7.14 billion in 2023/2024, representing a 97 per cent increase. In addition, the NHF has also increased the categories of chronic illnesses covered by 38 per cent from 16 (2016/17) to 22 (2023/24).

Making his contribution in the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 7), Tufton stated that there has been a 125 per cent increase in NHF processing of prescriptions noting that for the 2023/24 financial year, the NHF processed 2.9 million prescriptions amounting to 9.6 million items filled for approximately 750,000 patients. 

158% increase in drugs and medical sundries to health facilities

In 2016/17 the NHF processed 1.3 million prescriptions representing 4.4 million prescription items dispensed. At the same time, the cost of providing drugs and medical sundries to the public health sector by the NHF has increased by a staggering 158 per cent.

In 2016/17 this amounted to J$5.9 billion compared to $15.1 billion in 2023/2024.

“The NHF is providing more drugs than they have ever done before – increasing outlets, increasing prescriptions, increased drugs and an increased budget. It has done so efficiently and effectively, competing with any private sector entity, earning recognitions such as the Jamaica Stock Exchange Award for Best Website and the Financial Secretary’s Award for Corporate Governance Policies, Procedures and Practices,” the minister trumpeted.

He acknowledged that the task “to make drugs available and affordable is a challenge that requires an all of society response, so this year we will need to continue a conversation with the public, and Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, the World Bank and other partners towards pivoting to institute a national health insurance scheme. We have started that dialogue – it must continue and we all have a role to play, if we are to curb cost and achieve sustainability.”

Regarding support for cervical cancer screening, Tufton told Members of Parliament that the NHF is expanding its support for diagnostic tests for the early detection of cervical and prostate cancers. All Jamaican females who are 21 years and over will receive a subsidy to help cover the cost of a Pap smear. 

The subsidy to be offered is J$1,300 per test in keeping with screening guidelines. Currently,  the NHF offers a subsidy for the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to all male NHF cardholders 40 years and older. 

The subsidy of $1,600 for a PSA test each year,  is now expanded to all male Jamaican residents 40 years and older. These new benefits on the NHF Card will come into effect on June 10.