Dr Tufton: NHF Needs $40 Billion In Next 3 Years

Lifestyle diseases remain a source of grave concern in Jamaica as a large percentage of citizens have a non-communicable disease or a significant risk factor such as obesity. According to the Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, the National Health Fund, (NHF) will need about 40 billion dollars over the next three years, to ease the burden of the rising health care bill. To treat this issue, Dr. Tufton says the government will either have to reduce the benefits to over 720,000 Jamaicans, change the funding model or use policy to effect lifestyle changes.

The Minister’s announcement came during his public health review, reform, and renewal sectoral presentation for the fiscal year 2022/23. He says health care costs are rising rapidly, noting that a close look at the national health fund’s budget shows that costs have escalated by 139 per cent over the last 7 years, with projections for the next 3 years suggesting further increases of roughly 30 percent.

The Health Minister adds that in 2020 / 2021, the NHF spent over 1-point- 4 billion dollars on diabetes compared to over 887- million in 2014/2015; a 59 percent increase.

Dr. Tufton has appointed Economist and Executive Director of the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), Dr. Damien King, to lead the national discussions on the issue and the implications for poverty and the economic and social advancement of Jamaicans. More details in the report: