Campbell: Too much PR in healthcare - MP says greater access needed; 'free' policy not sustainable

Opposition Spokesman on Health Dr Dayton Campbell has charged that healthcare has become swept up in public relations and there needs to be more equity in the sector.

"Jamaica Moves seems to be the big-idea project, and while [it] is good, it does not encompass health in all aspects. Access and equality are missing," Campbell told the House of Representatives on Tuesday as he made his first Sectoral Presentation on the health sector.

Jamaica Moves is a social-marketing campaign by the Ministry of Health aimed at encouraging Jamaicans to take charge of their health by reducing their risk to non-communicable diseases.

WIDENING THE INEQUALITY

In addition, Campbell said that the Government needed to rethink its free healthcare policy as it was not sustainable.

"Mr Speaker, I am of the view that no one should be denied healthcare based on their ability to pay. However, I need some assistance in understanding why the Government would need to provide free healthcare to those who can afford to pay," Campbell said. "Mr Speaker, I dare say that this policy has further widened the inequality in access to quality healthcare, and, at best, can be considered a pyrrhic victory for its proponents."

Campbell referenced long waiting periods, poor healthcare delivery because of burnout among medical workers, and decreased productivity as examples of the negative impact of the free healthcare policy. The opposition spokesman suggested that if the policy was kept, patients with insurance should have their cards swiped.

"What benefit is it to the country for us to [not accept health cards from] those persons who are currently insured? I am a responsible adult. I take out health insurance. I go to a public hospital and I am not being asked to present my health insurance card so that (it) can be charged."

brian.walker@gleanerjm.com