Health Budget Down 5% to $172.2 Million

The Ministry of Health received the largest percentage of funding in the 2011/12 Budget, with approximately 15.9% of estimated expenditure going towards the Health Ministry. The budget allocated the Health Ministry a total of $172.2 million in current account funding in this year’s budget, which is a reduction of 5% from last year.

Health Minister Zane DeSilva spoke at a press conference yesterday afternoon [Feb 19], saying: “In recognition of the current financial climate, we will have to review every penny that is spent and we must ensure that we generate as much revenue as possible. However, throughout all of this it is important that everyone understands that we will not compromise on the quality of service and our dedication to the people of Bermuda.”

The Minister’s full remarks follows below:

The Ministry of Health has been allocated a total of $172.2 million in current account funding for the 2011/12 fiscal year.This represents a reduction of 5% when compared to the current, 2010/2011, financial year.

In addition, The Ministry of Health has been allocated a further $6.12 million in the capital development account.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for three Government Departments:

• The Ministry Headquarters;
• The Department of Health; and
• The Health Insurance Department.

The Ministry of Health also has responsibility for two Quangos:

• The Bermuda Hospitals Board; and
• The Bermuda Health Council.

With the broad range of services provided by each of these organisations, the ‘Mission’ of The Ministry of Health includes:

• Ensuring that the population of Bermuda is protected from public health threats and providing the general public with the information they need to lead healthy lives;
• Ensuring that Bermudians have access to affordable health insurance;
• Ensuring that the population of Bermuda has a healthcare system that is accessible, affordable and effective; and
• Ensuring that the population of Bermuda has access to hospitals which provide affordable and effective care.

Over the course of the next financial year, The Ministry of Health has two main priorities:

• 1. Ensuring that the development of the new hospital and the renovation of the old hospital proceed as planned.
• 2. Commencing with the implementation of the 11 goals detailed in the ‘National Health Plan’.

The development of the new hospital is vitally important to the future of Bermuda. It is essential that this project is a success and that all parties involved in this important undertaking work diligently to ensure that this is the case.

For the past several years, the management and staff of the hospital have worked long and hard to raise the standard of care across the entire facility – and they have succeeded.

The Ministry of Health is committed to ensuring that the standards of care which have been attained are transitioned into the new hospital when it is finally complete.

It is imperative that everyone involved in these initiatives work together as a unified team to ensure that Bermuda’s acute care hospital provides affordable and effective care long into the future.

Over the past weeks, The Ministry of Health has been promoting the ‘National Health Plan’ which is based on the founding principles of ‘Equity’ and ‘Sustainability’ and includes 11 goals to ensure the effectiveness and affordability of future healthcare in Bermuda.

Over the course of the next financial year, The Ministry of Health we will be putting together teams to work on each of the 11 goals.

It is intended that a broad cross-section of Bermuda’s population is represented in each of these teams, which will also be tasked with determining just HOW the goals will be implemented.

The initial focus will be the promotion of health and wellness. A ‘Well Bermuda’ programme is already in existence and this will be revitalised before it is presented to the public.

It is my sincere belief that one of the best ways to tackle rising health costs is to promote healthy lifestyles. If we can become healthier as a community, then in turn the whole community will benefit.

Whilst these initiatives will be the focus going forward, we will continue to carry out our day to day functions.

We will continue to provide a full range of public health services.

We will continue to manage and operate our two public health insurance products – HIP and FutureCare – which will be open to ALL seniors with effect from the 1st April 2011.

In recognition of the current financial climate, we will have to review every penny that is spent and we must ensure that we generate as much revenue as possible.

However, throughout all of this it is important that everyone understands that we will not compromise on the quality of service and our dedication to the people of Bermuda.

Thank you.

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