St Kitts and Nevis may Offer Universal Health Care

2010-03-15 20:41:23 by

While residents and visitors both benefit from the high quality of health care on St Kitts and Nevis islands, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, the Governor General, said efforts will be made to upgrade these services. He indicated they would add more advanced treatment capabilities such as haemodialysis, and modern diagnostic tools including MRI facilities. Sebastian said National Health Insurance is being proposed for all citizens.

In an interview with CaribbeanNetNews, Minister of Health Marcella Liburdhe stated, "'Our vision for healthcare is a fit and healthy nation and so the coverage of everybody is part of that vision.' The Minister added that while healthcare is a very costly commitment, it is an important one because 'the wealth of the nation is not in the treasury' but rather in the healthcare system.

?'We have renewed our commitment to primary healthcare to try to prevent people from getting advance stages of illness which is so very costly,? Minister Liburd disclosed, noting that greater efforts will be placed on getting men to access health services.

?'The plan also envisages covering costs for persons who have to go overseas for treatment when the treatment is not available locally. It also envisages covering dental health and eye care,'? she stressed."