HEALTH SYSTEMS SERVICE PROFILE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS

Overview of The Bahamas

 Population 316,298  700 islands and cays  29 are populated  85% of persons live on the two major islands, New Providence and Grand Bahama

Overview cont’d

 Life expectancy for females is 76 years and 70 years for males  In 2002 The national per capita income was B$21,531  Approx. 35% of national recurrent budget is allocated to the social sectors.

 The majority of funding for health care is provided by the Government of the Bahamas.

Overview Cont’d

 The exchange rate of the Bahamian dollar to the US dollar is 1:1  Tourism and tourism related activities, and offshore banking account for over 50% of the GDP and 60% of employment.

 Unemployment stands at a rate of 10.8%

Overview Cont’d

 The Bahamas gained its independence in 1973  Has a 95.7% literacy rate

Health Systems Overview

The Ministry of Health (MOH) is Responsible for       Development of health policies Planning Regulations Monitoring & Evaluation Public health services Financing

Health Systems Overview Cont’d MOH Is managed by an Executive Management team which consists of  The Minister of Health  The Permanent Secretary  The Chief Medical Officer

Health Systems Overview

The health sector is comprised of four areas of services  The Ministry of Health  Department of Public Health  Public Hospitals Authority  Private Sector

HEALTH SYSEMS OVERVIEW CONT’D While the MOH has the oversight for the provision of health care, it does so with the involvement of the private health sector

Health Systems Overview Cont’d

Except for Grand Bahama, the Department of Public Health is responsible for the delivery of primary preventative health care, delivered throughout the Bahamas at the various government owned clinics and health centres

Health Systems Overview Cont’d

The Public Hospitals Authority has responsibility for  The three government hospitals  National Emergency Medical Programme  The National Drug Agency  Materials Management Service

Health Systems Overview Cont’d

 There are three public and two private hospitals in The Bahamas  55 health centres (main clinics)  59 satellite clinics  286 privately owned health care facilities

Health Systems Overview Cont’d

 In the public heath sector, access to health care is available regardless of one’s ability to pay.

 Primary health care is provided free to all civil servants, children, pregnant females and persons sixty years of age and over  If necessary private sector services are contracted and subsidized by government

System Challenges

 Archipelagic nature  Access and equity of health care Adequate Human Resources  Financing

System Challenges  Increasing burden of lifestyle related diseases  Timely and accurate data reporting

Health System Reform

Major Health Systems Strengthening Initiatives  National Health Insurance  Integrated Public Health Information System (IPHIS)  Healthy Lifestyles Initiative  Essential Public Health Functions  Human Resources Strengthening  National Drug Formulary

Conclusion

 The Bahamas remains committed in its quest to provide quality health care that is affordable and accessible to all its citizens. Health systems strengthening remains a key priority in achieving this goal.