The Minister of Health has said while the Government remained committed to achieving universal health coverage, it was likely to take “several years” to implement.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday outlining the Ministry of Health’s Throne Speech initiatives, Kim Wilson said that, in collaboration with healthcare stakeholders, the Government would determine the healthcare services to be included in the core benefits package for all.

She said: “That is the package of healthcare services which all residents will be able to access.

“We will also figure out how much the services will cost. We will explore various ways to make these vital healthcare services available to everyone in a sustainable way, while also evaluating how our options will impact the economy.”

Speaking to the timeline, Ms Wilson added: “We have always maintained that it is going to be several years. The advantage that we have in Bermuda is twofold — one is that we can look at best practice internationally at jurisdictions that have forged ahead prior to us and two, we have a strong, sustainable health system so we are not starting from scratch.”

Ms Wilson told The Royal Gazettelast month that core questions remained over the Government’s plan to implement universal health coverage, including how it will be paid for.

Asked if the Government was any closer to establishing how it will be funded, Ms Wilson said: “No, not yet.

“Under the UHC steering committee, we have five health forums. One of them is specifically geared towards helping us assess what the core benefits will be as we start to roll it out in April 2024 and one of the other forums is charged with helping us to assess among the stakeholders how much it is going to cost for those particular benefits.

“We did have a blip because of Covid but they have picked up the ball and are running feverishly with it.”

Ms Wilson reiterated the Government’s resolve to advance legislation supporting data collection required to regulate medical co-payments for the most vulnerable.

She said that the cost of healthcare services was discouraging people from seeking medical help when needed.

“Healthcare inflation exacerbates the cost of care,” Ms Wilson said.

“The purpose of legislation to support data collection is to understand the factors influencing healthcare costs so that the medical co-pay can be made predictable and manageable for our most vulnerable residents. In all respects, the collection of accurate data is key to informed decision-making.”

Ms Wilson said the ministry’s primary focus would be on collecting health system data that would inform evidence-based policies and interventions.

She said Bermuda’s data collection efforts were insufficient for fully assessing our healthcare and social care needs as well as informing sound decision-making.

“This became evident through the development of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment earlier this year,” she said.

“However, moving forward, we are committed to enhancing our data collection with a specific focus on gathering crucial information that assists the ministry with a better understanding of where we need to enhance our services and, ultimately, how we can make healthcare more efficient and cost-effective for both businesses and consumers.

“Building on the success of the Bermuda Health Council’s Provider Advantage Programme, which is a voluntary programme, the ministry and the council are working with health service providers to expand health business licensing.

“The result will be vastly improved information on all the health services available in Bermuda. This is a basic starting point in our data collection efforts.”

The Steps 2024 population health survey announced in the Throne Speech will assess approximately 2,000 participants and is expected to take a year to complete, Ms Wilson said. The survey is expected to cost between $100,000 to $120,000 to complete.

Ms Wilson said: “Steps surveys offer a solid foundation of evidence concerning our critical public health concerns, particularly in the realm of preventing and managing chronic non-communicable illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and specific types of cancers.

“Additionally, these surveys provide a means to monitor the trends and extent of factors that either increase or safeguard our overall health within the general populace.”

The survey, which includes face-to-face interviews and assessments, examines various behavioural elements, including dietary habits, physical activity levels, alcohol consumption, tobacco usage and access to healthcare services, including screening opportunities.

Ms Wilson said that the Steps survey carried out in 2014 highlighted a prevalence of hypertension in Bermuda and as a result the Government implemented the Hearts programme designed to address and minimise the impact of the condition.

Ms Wilson was asked if any headway had been made on the high prevalence of diabetes in Bermuda. The Steps 2014 survey found that 13 per cent of the population had diabetes.

She responded: “When we complete the Steps survey we will see if that figure has changed. We are doing what we can in terms of health promotion.

“Diabetes is controllable — each and every one of us can do our part to reduce the prevalence of diabetes. Unfortunately, we are spending far too much. We all need to help do our part.”

She encouraged the community to participate in the Steps survey if contacted.

“We need to be able to update the 2014 survey to see where our population health stands now.”