P.M. talks about Health Insurance Plan
It has already come under fire from the Opposition and the Public Service Union although it hasn’t even begun. Today the Prime Minister Said Musa and the Minister of Health Jose Coye held a news conference to answer some of the questions surrounding the National Health Insurance Scheme. The exact details of the package–what it will and will not cover–as well as the percentage of their income the working people will be asked to contribute have yet to be worked out. However, the Prime Minister did indicate there will be a certain degree of choice when it comes to selecting a general practitioner. The plan will not only cover primary health care, but secondary service as well. Some of the more common serious illnesses and their treatments will also be covered. He said the NHI will be piloted in April, but come on stream for all Belizeans only after extensive consultation with citizens, health care providers and private insurance companies. The P.M. says while it is clear Belizeans want more information, he knows they are willing to share burden of guaranteeing coverage for everyone in the society, and upgrading the existing health care system which has serious deficiencies.
Said Musa
“I want to believe and I firmly believe that our people are committed to a principle of solidarity. That they do realize that if we want a better system, if we want an improved health system in our country and we do want it, especially for our children. It is unacceptable, that twenty-six out of one thousand babies should die, that is totally unacceptable. We have to move way beyond that, in our country. Belize is doing well compared to other countries in the third world, but that is not good enough, that is not good enough. For one child to die is unacceptable to us. That child must have a right to survive and to live and grow. So I think our people understand that, that health is a very basic and fundamental thing and they are prepared to contribute towards making the system better. But they want to see full ramifications of this thing, the full details of it, they want to see a clear commitment on the part of their government to investing more in health. And once we show the lead–as I believe we are doing now–I think the people will come around.”
