Tuesday, November 28, 2006

by Malaika Laurent
Caribbean Net News Dominica Correspondent
Email: malaika@caribbeannetnews.com

ROSEAU, Dominica: A committee put in place to spearhead a National Health Protection plan, mandatory for all citizens, intends to reposition health as a priority in Dominica.

Dr Valda Henry, who is the chairperson of this committee, believes that this protection plan is important to ensure that health protection is available on an equal setting for all nationals.

At a news conference this week, Dr Henry emphasised the meaning of such a protection plan.

“The National Health Protection (NHP) is important because the health of a people determines the progress of a people. The health of the nation has to go hand-in-hand with the education of the nation.

“Also, to increase our own sensitisation on a personal level for the need for health insurance, for the need for better health and I think another objective of the NHP, is not just in terms of curative but preventative.

“I think if we focus a lot on preventative care, we will see that also helps in terms of how we as individuals pattern our eating habits, our exercise habits and just our general life habits.

This plan will also serve to reduce the government’s 13-17% budget allocation on the health sector.

Dr Henry said that a health plan for nationals is not a new concept to Dominica, and discussions for this have been ongoing for the last 12 years although there has never been implementation. Dr Henry intends to ensure full implementation.

A survey will be commissioned next month to obtain the views of the public on the implementation of a NHP programme.

Although there is no definite plan on a costing for this scheme yet, Dr Henry says that it will involve an additional cost to the population and could take the form of indirect taxation.

“There will be a cost, you can call it a tax, you can call it a contribution rate but it is going to take up something from us. I think the indirect tax is a fairer tax because that way you spread it across persons, especially a consumption tax,” Dr Henry said.

She said that people may initially oppose paying additional costs but it may be time to reassess priorities.

“Lack of understanding makes us oppose things. If you educate people as to why they must pay then they will be willing to pay. What do we determine to be a priority for us? I am infact asking you to stop now and reassess the priorities so that you may determine that my health cost and that of my family, my children is actually worth it.

The NHP intends to prepare the final analysis to Parliament by April 2007.

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