NHF EXPANDS COVERAGE TO TREAT SICKLE CELL- Seven Additional Pharmaceutical Items Added

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KINGSTON, Jamaica …. September 2, 2021 – Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients now have access to seven additional active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) on the NHFCard. The National Health Fund (NHF) has added Diosmin and Hesperidin Tablets, Ketanserin Gel, Zinc Hyaluronate Gel, Amoxicillin & Clavulanic acid, Azithromycin, Folic Acid and Mupirocin Ointment to the list of pharmaceuticals covered for Sickle Cell Disease on the NHFCard Programme.  These medications help to treat severe complications of SCD and will ease patients’ out of pocket costs for treatment.

Chief Executive Officer of the NHF, Mr. Everton Anderson, said, “One of the goals of the NHF is to reduce the financial burden of health care for Jamaican residents living with chronic diseases and this addition of seven pharmaceutical items to treat sickle cell is significant. It will be a relief for patients as they are able to access more medication with their NHFCard and be in a position to better manage their health condition.”  

“In working closely with the Sickle Cell Unit, at the University Hospital of the West Indies along with the Ministry of Health and Wellness the decision was made to expand the benefits based on the overall impact on the quality of life for patients and on the financial viability,” Everton Anderson added.

SCD is one of the most common genetic diseases in Jamaica, affecting one in every 150 births.  There are approximately 2,200 beneficiaries enrolled for SCD on the NHFCard and the NHF encourages more individuals who are diagnosed to apply for the card in order to obtain discounts for medication.

The NHFCard currently has over 334,000 active beneficiaries and offers over 1,900 pharmaceutical items to treat the 17 conditions covered by the Fund. 

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Contact:  

Sharon Jones, Health Promotion and Public Relations Manager,

Health Promotion & Public Relations Department, National Health Fund

Telephone numbers: 876-906-1106 or 876-820-5994

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