Health Minister: “We’re Working To Fix The Issue”

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Could the wait soon be over for dozens of doctors waiting months for National Health Insurance payments?

Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville said the Davis administration is working on it.

He spoke to reporters outside the House of Assembly on Wednesday morning.

Days after, doctors who are a part of the National Health Insurance program, raised red flags over lagging payments.

Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. Michael Darville addressed their concerns.

On Friday, NHI Providers Association physicians said late payments are still an issue that’s wreaking havoc on their office’s bottom line.

On Wednesday morning, the health minister acknowledged there’s been delays.

Dr. Micheal Darville – Minister, Health and Wellness

“ We are working diligently to resolve this issue and we are working closely with the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the trenches that are necessary for NHI is received in a timely fashion so that we can pay our bills on a timely fashion.”

NHI was introduced in 2017 under the Christie administration.

Maternity services and infant care, school physicals, annual checkups, non-communicable disease screenings, vaccinations, and other primary care services are all offered under NHI.

Darville said while no one can blame them for their frustration, he insists that delays in payouts are not unique to the public system.

Pointing out that similar challenges can occur with private insurance providers as well.

Dr. Micheal Darville – Minister, Health and Wellness

“ We’ve had meetings with NHI and those impacted, as a result of NHI payments. I must say that some payments were made, but in the whole business of insurance, I’ve been a practicing physician for many years and I have worked along with insurance companies and there is sometimes delay. So the delay in NHI is not only NHI, it’s also reflective in the private sector, “