It's Our 20th Anniversary
"Reigniting the Health Financing Agenda"
National Health Fund (NHF) is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the theme “Reigniting the Health Financing Agenda”.
The theme seeks to highlight the need to establish a National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) for Jamaica, as the Jamaican population faces out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures of over 28 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, putting families at risk of impoverishment in the event of a serious health crisis.
For 20 years, the NHF has exercised prudent management of the resources with which it is entrusted to ensure the continued support of its clients and to facilitate infrastructural development in the health sector. As the Fund looks toward the future, the need for the implementation of the NHIP has become crucial. Increasing health care costs will challenge the government’s ability to adequately finance public health care, hence the need for a viable option. The NHF’s mission is to provide funding for specified healthcare benefits, health promotion, health projects, and pharmacy services in a sustainable, efficient, and customer-centric environment.
Media Launch
What better way to kick off our 20 years’ celebration other than an epic launch? The live media launch was hosted by Television Jamaica (TVJ) during the Smile Jamaica Morning Time. The show created an opportunity to engage our clients, staff members and viewers of the morning show and provided the platform for highlighting our achievements and successes over the years. The Minister of Health, Dr the Hon Christopher Tufton and our Chief Executive Officer, Mr Everton Anderson were the main speakers, while Dr Michael Abrahams, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, comedian and poet performed a dub poem that vividly captured the spirit of the NHF in excellence in services over the years. Dr. James Brian, President, of the Medical Association of Jamaica and one of our valued beneficiaries also participated. The "DubWise" Band brought the entertainment along with our very own Conrod Hall, Application Support Officer, ICT, who showcased his talent with an electrifying rendition of The Land of Love by Marcia Griffiths.
Church Service
The National Health Fund (NHF) joined congregants at the Boulevard Baptist church on April 23, 2023, and gave thanks for twenty years of service to the Healthcare Sector in Jamaica.
Staff members worshipped in songs, prayer, scripture readings and a powerful sermon led by Rev. Michael Thompson. Members of the NHF choir performed Psalm 34 during the service and also joined the Boulevard Baptist Church’s choir in their praise and worship segment. Following the service, staff members enjoyed a delicious brunch at the Luther Gibbs Centre.
World Hypertension Day Screening Blitz
More than 20-thousand Jamaicans are now aware of their blood pressure readings following Wednesday’s screening blitz put on by the National Health Fund as it observed World Hypertension Day. The NHF, as part of its 20th anniversary observations undertook the significant endeavour to get more Jamaicans to “know their numbers” and to raise awareness about high blood pressure, a condition that often goes unnoticed due to its lack of symptoms but can lead to severe health problems such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
The NHF collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Medical Association of Jamaica, non-governmental organizations, private sector entities, and churches to conduct the blood pressure screenings at more than 165 locations islandwide.
NHF to Plant 20,000 Trees for 20th Anniversary
The National Health Fund (NHF) is coordinating the planting of 20-thousand trees islandwide as a Corporate Social Responsibility activity in observance of its 20th anniversary. The NHF will coordinate with a number of stakeholders, including clients, staff, suppliers, schools, churches, non-governmental organisations, as well as health partners to distribute and plant the seedlings towards the target of 20-thousand trees. Ornamental seedlings will be available free of cost at various locations islandwide. The project is in collaboration with the Forestry Department that is providing ornamental seedlings free of cost.
Work-it-Out Health & Wellness Challenge
We are calling all health enthusiasts! The Work-it-Out Health & Wellness Challenge is back! As part of the organization’s 20th-anniversary celebration, the Work-It-Out Health & Wellness challenge will resume with a new flair. This new season will focus on physical activity, nutrition and mental wellbeing. The Work-It-Challenge seeks to re-energise the public around health and wellness and to promote gradual and manageable lifestyle changes to improve your overall health. The competition period will be from September to December 2023.
Open Day & Lecture
The Open Day & Lecture will engage stakeholders around the theme” Re-igniting the health financing agenda” and bring to the forefront the development of the National Health Insurance Plan. The development of a National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP) will prevent thousandth of Jamaicans from falling into the Medical Poverty Trap Phenomenon as a result of catastrophic health costs. Personal health care costs will inevitably increase over time due to longer life expectancy and more significant risks posed by both communicable and non-communicable diseases. This will challenge the Government’s capacity to adequately finance public health care at current economic rates of economic growth.
