The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA in cooperation with Social and Health Insurances SZV announced a symposium (see related story) to develop a five-year vision for sustainable healthcare. The idea is to harmonise the efforts of all key players to navigate “numerous challenges” in the field.
That is no doubt a worthwhile endeavour, but there are pressing related matters to attend to. For starters, as opposition members reported in Wednesday’s newspaper, a new National Health Insurance (NHI) is supposed to go into effect on January 1 but no bill had yet reached Parliament.
The concern is that such a “formidable undertaking” requires elected representatives be afforded time to debate and hold consultations of their own if needed. They also pointed out that several doable amendments to existing legislation to include coverage for sole proprietors, vendors, bus and taxi drivers, etcetera, remain pending as a result.
Several others including Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) have also expressed reservations about the planned cost and medical package. Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and employers’ organisation St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) will be invited to the November 6-8 symposium at Belair Community Center, so it should be interesting to hear from them as well.
SZV Director Glen Carty spoke reassuring words by mentioning as single goal making healthcare accessible and affordable for the people. The latter is crucial, especially under the current socioeconomic circumstances.
VSA Minister Omar Ottley is scheduled in Parliament today to discuss the matter and hopefully provide a bit more clarity. Regarding the symposium, he listed several topics, among which “most critically” financing strategies.
When it comes to the NHI, it’s safe to say the minister certainly got that right!
