Previously under the Ministry of Finance a new line item – Social Assistance Benefits – is added to the 2024-2025 health budget in the Bahamas. This strengthens the momentum toward the National Health Insurance and moves closer to the implementation of catastrophic health coverage.
In his address to the House Assembly during the budget debate in June 2024, Minister of Health and Wellness the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville said the ministry will change the way health care is delivered. There is an expected 10% increase in the budget from the previous year, with (among others) the social assistance benefits line item being added.
The Minister also revealed that the government will be moving for an amendment to the current National Insurance (Chronic Diseases Prescription Drug Fund) Bill, transferring management and operations of the Prescription Drug Plan and Prescription Drug Fund to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. It is expected that this move will help to prevent duplication in and wastage across the public health system and bring consistency to the drug procurement process and reduce costs.
