The Government continued to deliver on its commitment to provide quality health care for Jamaicans, with billions expended to increase access to medications, improve health facilities, acquire much- needed equipment, combat non-communicable diseases among other initiatives.
Increase In Drug Subsidy
•The subsidy for drugs was expanded for the over 350,000 active beneficiaries of the National Health Fund (NHF) Card, and the more than 21,000 beneficiaries of the Jamaica Drug for the Elderly Programme (JADEP).
•The NHF instituted the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test benefit to encourage more men to get tested, with provision of a $1,600 subsidy for one PSA test per year.
•61 contracts, valued at $27 billion, were signed for the procurement of essential drugs under the 2023-2026 Pharmaceutical Awards Programme.
•Five new health conditions were added to its NHF Card Programme, representing an estimated $450 million in additional subsidy and will see some 47,000 Jamaicans benefitting. Acquisition of Equipment, Vehicles
•A mammogram machine was installed at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) Mona at a cost of $47 million.
•The renal unit of the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) got 10 new hemodialysis machines, valued at over $30 million from the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.
•$500 million was allocated to each of the four Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) for infrastructure improvement and equipment replacement.
•18 patient monitors valued at $25 million to the UHWI by CHASE and Masonic Homes Limited.
•Bustamante Hospital for Children got new C-Arm and laparoscopy machines don- ated by the CHASE Fund at a cost of $46 million.
•Two ambulances and a panel van were acquired at a cost of more than $33 million to serve the parishes of St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland.
•The Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA) received four retrofitted ambulances, a passenger bus, and a panel van, at a total cost of $62 million.
•The Linstead Public Hospital in St. Catherine and Princess Margaret Hospital in St. Thomas got two new ambulances valued at approximately $33 million.
Dengue Fight
•The vector control programme was enhanced, with additional funding of $200 million to support drain-cleaning and other activities.
•Approximately 500 temporary vector control workers were engaged, and approximately 60 vehicles provided to facilitate intensified activities. New Limb, New Life.
•A sum of $50 million was made available under the ‘A Prosthetic Partnership Programme to provide qualified persons with properly fitted prostheses, enabling them to return to normal life.