Dr. Omar Davies (second right) fields questions from journalists during a post-budget press conference held at the Ministry of Finance, Heroes Circle in Kingston yesterday. He is flanked by Fitz Jackson (right), Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, and Senator Deika Morrison, State Minister of Finance. Partially hidden in the foreground is Dr. Wesley Hughes, director-general, Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).
-Junior Dowie photo
Leonardo Blair, Staff Reporter
THE STORM behind the calm of Finance Minister, Dr. Omar Davies' 'no new taxes' an-nouncement arrived yesterday when he indicated to journalists that several Government ministries and departments will have to increase user fees.
And from all indications, the cost of public health care is high on the agenda.
"...Every Ministry and department will have to examine what they are providing, the quality of the provision of the service and what is an acceptable charge for it," said Dr. Davies. He was fielding questions from reporters at his post-budget press conference yesterday, at the Heroes Circle offices of the Ministry of Finance.
MEDICAL CARE
The Minister hinted that fees charged by hospitals could be increased as ...good medical care does not come cheap."
Dr. Davies explained that in many aspects Jamaica was a country of First World demands. If Jamaica wants First World demands he said, the country will simply have to pay for it.
As a policy decision, he said the Government does not intend to cut the level of healthcare it currently provides but it definitely will soon have to institute "realistic charges."
"There are certain instances for example where in terms of medical tests the fees which we charge are so ridiculously low that private places bunch them and send them to the government because its cheaper to do that than through their own business.
"The whole society has to accept that there is a cost for providing these national services or local services. And so every ministry and department will have to examine what they are providing, the quality of the provision of the service and what is an acceptable charge for it," the Finance Minister maintained.
Fitz Jackson, Minister of State in the Ministry, stressed that the poor will be protected through the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) and other such programmes under which they will be accommodated. But those who can afford to pay, must pay, he said.
