The Presidential Commission for the Reform of the Health System and Hospital Care, installed in July 2017, is preparing to submit to the Executive a proposal for the establishment of a universal health coverage system in Haiti, which would allow beneficiaries with a universal health insurance card, to receive care in public or private hospitals, without having to spend money.

As for the financing of such a universal service, a delicate point of this proposal, Dr Gérard Blot, the President of the Commission states:

If the person has a job, the insurance premium will be levied directly on his salary by the employer;

If the person does not work or is without resources, the State will pay the premium from a Health Assistance Fund, which will be financed by special taxes levied on various products such as alcohol, tobacco, oil, motorcycle etc...

Of course, Dr. Blot is aware that such a project will take time to set up, because it will require beforehand among other aspects: a reform in public and private hospitals, the regularization of health professionals, the establishment of councils of the order of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and laboratory technicians.

Some health professionals wonder if such a project is achievable or if it is simply not utopian, given the deplorable economic situation in Haiti. Especially since the international experiences in developed countries of such universal health regimes, show that despite the undeniable positive social and health impacts on the populations, this type of universal system is still heavily under deficit, increasing the deficit of the States even in strong economies.

HL/ HaitiLibre