ENROLMENT FOR NHF HEALTH CARDS REACH 400,000, A 16% Increase Over March 2008

Enrolment in the National Health Fund (NHF) at the end of March 2009 reached a total 404,615 persons for the NHFCARD for all ages and Jamaica Drug for the Elderly (JADEP) Card. The number of persons enrolled for the NHFCARD reached 208,488, while for JADEP the enrolment now stands at 196,127. This is a 16% increase compared to the end of March 2008, when there were 350,304 enrolled.

The total number of cases of illness for which NHFCARD beneficiaries enrolled reached 546,285. 71% of beneficiaries are enrolled for more than one disease, with an average of 2.6 cases of illness per person. The highest enrolment during the year was for hypertension (25,733), high cholesterol (16,287) and arthritis (16,091). The greatest percentage increase however has come in the enrolment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) where 50% more men enrolled for the condition. 4,053 men enrolled increasing the number from 8,133 to 12,186 men.

According to Mr. Cecil White, Vice President of Operations at the NHF, it is estimated that the prevalence of the fifteen diseases covered by the NHF is in the region of 750,000 Jamaican residents. The number of persons enrolled for the NHF card represents 28% of the total number of persons projected for enrolment. Mr White says, “We still have a long way to go to attain this enrolment figure, however we believe, based on the Healthy Lifestyle Survey, that the NHF enrolment reflects the percentage of persons who are aware that they have a chronic disease and are treating their condition. Our challenge going forward will be to encourage individuals to get screened for chronic illnesses so they can be identified and start treating the condition, including enrolment for NHF benefit cards”.

Approximately 4,500 new beneficiaries are enrolled each month and this trend is expected to continue this year.