The Proposed National Health Insurance and what it means for Antigua and Barbuda
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda, by extension the Hon. Minister of Health, Wellness and the Environment Molwyn Joseph has collaborated with the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) to begin the journey of establishing the “Proposed National Health Insurance (NHI).“
The introduction of such health insurance seeks to address the growing challenges in the current health system with specific reference to the financial burden (cost of health services) and limited access to essential health services that go along with the increasing demand for health care needs of the population. This aim is in line with the agreement of all UN Member States to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Universal Health Coverage means that all individuals/residents, regardless of their age, race, status or income, will have access to essential health services they need, when they need it, without suffering financial hardship. It includes the full range of essential health services that will ensure a healthy population. These services include:
- Health Promotion
- Disease Prevention
- Adequate Treatment:
- Rehabilitation and;
- Palliative Care – care for the Critically ill Patients and their families
The World Health Organization describes insurance, such as National Health Insurance, as one mechanism used to achieve universal health coverage. It is a public health financing plan that safeguards all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status or pre-existing health condition, against the cost of health care. Access is granted to a clearly defined package of health care services from authorized public and private health care providers. More specifically, the move to a proposed NHI requires improving the current health care system to offer quality health services that improve population health and address the most critical causes of diseases and death in a country.
Please view the below section to gain more insight into the goal and efforts of this development.
- Understanding what is a
National Health Insurance - The Importance of the MBS
in the Establishment of the NHI - The Nations Health Status & NHI
- The Nations Health Financing Status
& NHI - NHI is the Vision for Access
Quality Health Services - How will the Proposed National
Health Insurance be achieved? - The HEU, Centre for Health Economics
Consultancy team’s commitment - What ensures the sustainability of the NHI?
- NHI Pillars of Efficiency
Part 1 Costing Framework - NHI Pillars of Efficiency
Part 2 Modernization of the Health Information System - NHI Pillar of Efficiency Part 3 Legislation on Standard and Protocol
- Practical Ways of Managing
Health Care Cost - Ensuring Standards of Care
in the Health System ( Part I) - Ensuring Standards of Care
in the Health System (Part 2) - The Role of UWI-HEU Consultants
- Identifying Three Dimensions
of Universal Health Coverage - A Closer Look into the
Design of the NHI Program - The Status of NHI in Other
OECS Countries - An overview of the UWI-HEU Consultants Project Plan for the NHI
- Health Financing Outlook for the NHI Program
- MBS Vision for NHI
- The Proposed National Health Insurance
Stakeholder Briefing (Full Presentation)
The 1st National Health Insurance Steering Committee Meeting
On Thursday, 30th January 2020, the Hon. Minister of Health, Wellness & the Environment and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas collaborated with us, to host the first National Health…
The Proposed National Health Insurance Stakeholder Briefing: A transition for MBS
The arrival of consultants for the Proposed National Health Insurance Photograph of the Minister of Health Hon Molwyn Joseph and Senior Staff from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the…
