NINE new members of the National Health Insurance Board (NHIB) have been appointed this week.
The announcement was made during a press conference at the NHIB offices in Saltmills Plaza, Grace Bay, in Providenciales on Tuesday (October 1).
Accountant Drexwell Seymour, formerly CEO of Lime, will chair the new team with deputy chairman Clayton Been while chief executive officer for NHIP Zaneta Burton will also sit on the board.
The new members are Christopher Steven Bourne who is private health care providers’ representative, employers’ representative Olga Taylor, employees’ representative Sonia Williams, Jill Magri, the preferred health care provider (Inter health Canada) representative, and National Insurance Board director Colin Heartwell.
Others are Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Health Desiree Lewis, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Athenee Harvey, Director of Health Services Nadia Astwood, and Opposition representative Nicola Garland.
NHIB is a statutory body that was established in 2009 to manage the country’s National Health Insurance Plan (NHIP).
Seymour said the plan insures that all residents of the TCI have access to high quality healthcare at affordable prices.
He described it as “a comprehensive reform of the healthcare system”.
The NHIP is modelled on three major social principles.
It provides equity and access for those who need medical attention, not just those that can afford to pay it.
The contributions of those who are better off will pay for the medical care of those who are vulnerable.
And the contributions of those who don’t need medical care will pay for those who are sick.
Seymour said: “This is fair and equitable because all of us may get sick at some stage in our lives and we want to be protected from having to sacrifice our homes and our savings to pay for medical expenses for ourselves or our families.”
The NHIP provides outpatient speciality care, hospital services including drugs on approved list, diagnostic services, ambulance services, maternity care and outpatient drugs for selected chronic conditions.
Enrolment is mandatory for all those who are employed or reside in the TCI including Belongers and expatriates.
