We must set our face sternly against corruption and extravagance. We cannot have a Cadillac style living with donkey cart economies. Our leaders must set the example of democratic, accountable, clean and lean government, and efficient governance.
Cheddi Jagan at CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting
Last week, we briefly referred to certain disclosures about the Government’s medical assistance programme that have so far caused intense public outrage. This reaction is quite understandable considering the extent to which certain senior public officials, including Ministers and their relatives, benefitted from of the assistance provided, as well as the enormous sums expended on their behalf, in stark contrast to that provided to other beneficiaries.
The assistance programme
The objective of the medical assistance programme is to assist individuals who do not have the financial means to meet the cost of medical treatment, especially if such treatment is not available locally. Access to the benefit is subject to an application process and an independent assessment by a panel of doctors on the merits of each case vis-à-vis detailed guidelines established by the Ministry of Health and made publicly available. The quantum of the assistance is dependent on budgetary allocations approved by Parliament; the expected number of beneficiaries; and the types of medical conditions that qualify for assistance. Dental services are not eligible since they are not life threatening. As such, the concerned individual is expected to personally meet the cost of such services. In Canada, the Ontario Health Insurance Programme (OHIP) does not cover cosmetic surgery and other dental services, except if done in hospital.
The assistance is not an entitlement, and in administering the programme, no-one is expected to be given priority or preference over another, regardless of the position he/she holds in society. The overriding considerations are fairness, equity and catering for those in dire need of assistance. The programme covers 25 per cent of the cost of CT scans, MRIs and angiograms. If the individual is unable to meet the
