In an effort to improve health outcomes for The Bahamas, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) launched a 45-day consultation period with stakeholders on October 23^rd to discuss proposed changes to the program. Today, Dr. Robin Roberts, Chairman of the NHIA Board, announced that the consultation period will be extended by an additional 10 days to provide more communities and stakeholder groups with the opportunity to share their feedback about potential ways forward for the NHI program. This means that the 45-day consultation period, which was originally scheduled to be completed by December 6, 2018, will now continue until December 16, 2018.

The announcement comes after a series of successful community meetings were held in Grand Bahama, which resulted in positive feedback and meaningful dialogue about the future of NHI, and how it can be transformed to better serve the needs of Bahamians.

“NHI Bahamas is transforming to improve the health and wellbeing of all Bahamians. I am encouraged by the meaningful and productive discussions we have had with stakeholders and members of the public during the consultation period so far, and look forward to welcoming additional voices to the table by extending the deadline for consultation. Our objective is to build a NHI program that will act as a catalyst for change in the way Bahamians experience health care, and working with communities on a path forward is exactly how we will achieve that. It is important that Bahamians make their voice heard and contribute to the debate on the implementation of this program as we move towards universal healthcare in The Bahamas,” said Dr. Robin Roberts, Chairman of the NHIA Board.

On November 15^th, the NHIA will travel to Exuma to meet with local residents and stakeholders as consultations for NHI Bahamas continue. Exuma residents are encouraged to attend the following community meeting:

• Thursday, November 15^th at 6:00PM – LN Coakley High School, Moss Town

Other upcoming visits are planned for Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Long Island and New Providence to hear from more Bahamians and stakeholder groups on NHI Bahamas.

Stakeholders and members of the public can also review the policy paper online and submit their feedback through the online consultation survey.

Based on the feedback collected during the consultation period, the NHIA will then present recommendations to the Government of The Bahamas on the way forward for NHI Bahamas.

For more information on NHI Bahamas, visit www.nhibahamas.gov.bs.

Contact the National Health Insurance Authority:

Email: info@nhibahamas.gov.bs

Phone: 242-396-8500