The second forum, relating to the introduction of the Anguilla Social Security Board National Health Insurance (NHI) Pilot Project, was held at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium on Tuesday evening, September 2.
Unlike the previous forum, on August 19, when only the Chairman of the Social Security Board, Mr Alkins Rogers, Mrs Jacqueline Bryan-Niles, Director, and others spoke, the newly-appointed Project Manager, Dr Lanny Hobson, was present to speak about the project and to serve as Moderator for the question and answer period.
The forum was chaired by Pastor Victor Brooks, a member of the Board of Directors – and Mrs Maglan Richardson, Deputy Director, gave an insight into the purpose of the forum in her welcome address.
Ms Richardson said in part: “This forum has been planned for you, as part of the programme for the NHI Pilot Project roll-out, to hear from you questions regarding national health insurance for Anguilla; and to give a chance to hear from us about national health insurance and, more specifically, about the pilot project.
“This discussion will help to inform the full implementation of any national health insurance proposed for December 2015 when it will be transitioned to the Government of Anguilla, where the ultimate goal consists of setting up a formal National Health Insurance Scheme in Anguilla. Your support, as we, the Anguilla Social Security Board, continue improving the quality of life for all, and seek to facilitate national health insurance, as a pilot project, for a targeted group – the elderly, young and the indigent, is commendable. It is our mandate to collect contributions and provide social security benefits. The right to health and social security is a basic human right enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is on this premise that the Social Security Board is a facilitator for the provision of national health insurance through this …pilot project.”
“The end result of national health insurance will be a healthier, wealthier and more productive nation as employment levels rise, the economy grows, and less of our GDP is spent on healthcare, leaving more available for educational and entrepreneurial programmes.”
Mr Alkins Rogers, Chairman of the Social Security Board, spoke on “Why NHI: A Case for Anguilla”. Among other matters, he prefaced his address with reflections on the large number of persons lacking sufficient financial means to access health services world-wide, and who were consequently plunged into poverty every year by the cost of healthcare. He therefore stressed the need for all countries to provide healthcare insurance for their people, beginning with the development of a system of national healthcare insurance coverage. “To provide universal health protection is particularly challenging in countries like Anguilla and the rest of the Caribbean that are simultaneously experiencing problems such as high rates of unemployment, large informal economies and ageing populations,” he stated.
Mr Rogers spoke about his recommendation to the Anguilla Government some years ago to embark on a national health insurance system which he thought was something which should be pursued. Now that he and his colleagues on the Social Security Board are in a position to influence such a course of action, he told his listeners: “We are here today to seek your support. However, let me warn you: we do not intend to turn back. We believe forward is the way we should go. It therefore means while we will take on all suggestions, both positive and negative, we intend to forge ahead.” He stressed that in his mind the time to get ready “is now, not tomorrow.”
Mrs Jacqueline Bryan-Niles, one of the Social Security Board’s Directors, repeated a presentation, she had made at the first public forum on August 19, about the provisions of the NHI Pilot Project. She explained, among other matters, that the aim of the project was “to improve the inadequacy and allocation of resources within the Health Sector so that quality care is made available in an efficient and effective way to all residents in Anguilla.”
Dr Lanny Hobson, who has assumed the appointment as Project Manager, spoke briefly about the funding of the National Health Insurance Pilot Project by Social Security, and the Government’s major financing of the Health Authority and the collaborative efforts of the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the NHI that would be necessary for the functioning of the project.
He then moderated the question and answer period. Those who raised a number of questions and concerns, while commending the Social Security Board’s initiative, were Mr Victor Banks, former Minister of Finance with responsibility for Social Development; and Mr Marcel Fahie, a former member of the Board of Directors. Among other matters, Mr Banks questioned whether the required legislation was in place to guide and administer the NHI, and whether all other arrangements were fully in hand towards the establishment of the project. In putting forward his questions, Mr Fahie emphasised that there was insufficient information about the project and requested that such information be provided in written form for public scrutiny and transparency.
Another person who had some concerns, though supportive of the initiative, was Dr. Clyde Bryan who was familiar with national health insurance matters in Canada where he studied. Among his views was that the system in Anguilla should go beyond primary health insurance coverage to include secondary and tertiary care as well, taking into account the costs involved for patients in need of financial assistance.
Ms Angela Adams, a retired Public Health Nurse, who at one time requested the Anguilla Government to consider implementing a NHI service, was pleased with the initiative and expressed support for the pilot project.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr Timothy Hodge, Director, Social Security.
