It's been a much bantered about political promise, then a policy directive and then an action plan...and now finally a reality. In a whirlwind tour, yesterday, government and Social Security signed contracts with healthcare providers in Dangriga and Toledo, putting NHI into effect in those districts. There will be four primary care provider clinics in Dangriga Town, Independence Village, Punta Gorda Town and San Antonio Village. Speaking at the event in Toledo, the Prime Minister said this roll out will affect the most marginalized portion of the population.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
"This extension of NHI will provide access to quality and affordable health services to approximately, I believe it was mentioned, 45,000 more Belizeans many of whom undoubtedly are the most excluded and vulnerable groups in our nation.
To the nay sayers who question why use some of Social Security money for this program, I would simply reply to them what greater act of solidarity, what greater act of social protection can we provide to our people of an evolving social security in assisting in providing good quality health care to all our Belizean people.
Social Security is contributing something like $5 million a year as this program is rolled out and its dedicated to be spend over three years but I want to say today that we should make every effort to roll out the NHI in one year Minister, if at all possible, so that by the end of next year we'll have the NHI covering the entire country of Belize. That is a target I am setting today, please don't hold me to it."
In previous missives from Cabinet, government has indicated it will use proceeds from the petroleum industry to fund NHI. A nice gesture but at this point not so easy to accept since proceeds from the environment tax are still funneled into the consolidated fund for generalized use and not used specifically for environmental projects.
