Basseterre, St. Kitts, January 15, 2021 (SKNIS): The Federal Cabinet in St. Kitts and Nevis is establishing a committee to provide advice on the implementation of Universal Health Insurance.
The move is the latest step by the government to introduce a robust insurance programme that would provide quality health insurance to the population. The initiative is a costly venture as estimates place the price tag between $143 million and $181 million.
“Consideration may have to be given to salary deductions from individuals. In other words, how it is going to be funded, what benefits are we going to provide, when will it start—the legislative framework upon which this should stand. Those are the things which will come from a new committee put in place this year to ensure that Universal Health Insurance becomes a reality,” said Honourable Eugene Hamilton, the Minister responsible for National Health Insurance.
The minister’s comments were made at the Prime Minister’s Monthly Press Conference on January 14, 2021, at the NEMA Conference Room. He said that the expectation is for UHI to be implemented shortly after the committee completes its work. The minister reminded citizens that the country and other nations around the world continue to grapple with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has influenced the measured approach being taken by the government.
“We are very cautious, we are careful, we are very deliberate in what we do in implementing Universal Health Insurance,” Honourable Hamilton stated.
The enormity of introducing such a comprehensive and transformative programme was compared to other historical, landmark decisions such as purchasing plantation lands, introducing a Citizenship by Investment Programme, constructing the then Southeast Peninsula Road which is now known as the Kennedy A. Simmonds Highway, and establishing a Social Security Fund.
Minister Hamilton said that these decisions were ahead of their time and have positively impacted the development of the country.
“Universal Health Insurance is in that category,” he expressed while calling on the public to fully support the programme.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 14, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Ambassador His Excellency Ian Patches Liburd will serve as the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
This was revealed by Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris when he addressed the nation at his Thursday, January 14 press conference held at the NEMA Conference Room.
In making the announcement, Prime Minister Harris said that Ambassador Liburd has an outstanding record of service in both the private and public sectors.
“The United Nations is the premier global organization with over 193 member states and a large number of entities accredited to it. Ambassador Liburd has served the Country well as its Minister of Public Infrastructure, et al. He is well versed in a range of public and private sector matters and will be an asset to our Country,” Dr. Harris said.
The Honourable Eugene Hamilton, Minister responsible for Human Settlement, National Health Insurance et al., offered words of congratulations to His Excellency Ian Patches Liburd on his appointment, noting, “I know that he will do a fantastic job in that position and the country would be proud of his representation.”
A number of Foreign Service Officers are being transferred to postings at the Federation’s Embassies and Missions abroad. Among them are Mr. Sheldon Henry who will join Ambassador Liburd at the Permanent Mission to the United Nations as the Second Secretary; Ms. Shanelle Simmonds who has been approved for assignment to the Permanent Mission to the OAS in Washington D.C. as First Secretary, while Ms. Denaula Laplace will be posted to the country’s High Commission in Ottawa as Second Secretary.
]]>BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, January 14, 2021 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris says his Government has approved the formation of the board that will have responsibility for the policy, strategic direction, and governance of the Medicinal Cannabis Authority.
The Medicinal Cannabis Authority, established under the Cannabis Bill, 2020, will provide for the lawful access to medicinal cannabis as an alternative treatment for persons who are suffering from a qualifying medical condition and to provide for a comprehensive licensing scheme to regulate the cultivation, supply, possession, production and use of medicinal cannabis.
Speaking at his press conference earlier today, Thursday, January 14, at the NEMA Conference Room, Prime Minister Harris noted that the composition of the Board is actively being pursued.
“In performing its functions, the Board shall monitor the administrative operations of the Authority; submit recommendations to the Cabinet in relation to the issuing of licenses and other authorizations; advise the minister on matters of general policy relating to the management and development of an efficient and regulated medicinal cannabis industry; ensure that the Authority receives and manages its funds in a prudent manner; and do all such things as the Board reasonably considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions under this Act,” Prime Minister Harris said.
The Board is expected to consist of representatives from various Government ministries as well as members of civil society.
Thursday’s announcement by Prime Minister Harris represents yet another major step by the Team Unity administration towards the creation of a viable and well-managed cannabis industry in St. Kitts and Nevis.
]]>By: Chaïra Flanders
Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 18 2020 (ZIZ News): Persons who refuse to comply with to the COVID-19 Emergency Powers regulations that mandate the wearing of masks in a public place may soon be ticketed by police.
This was revealed by Chairman of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Abdias Samuel who was at the time delivering remarks at Friday’s NEOC briefing in the NEMA Conference room. He said that the Task Force has considered making the refusal to wear one’s mask a ticketable offence following several complaints made about the noncompliance of persons in the public.
Mr. Samuel noted that this was one of two recommendations made during meeting with members of the Task Force.
He also explained that ticket costs were also discussed.
The National COVID-19 Task Force Chair said that these considerations are necessary to help persons become more compliant with the regulations in order to protect the nation from the deadly effects of the Novel coronavirus.
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