The goal of healthy people in healthy communities is now hammered home in a mission statement for Bermuda’s National Health Plan.Health Minister Zane DeSilva yesterday said the mission statement, added to the plan following a period of public consultation, will help ensure the overall health message remains at the centre of the Ministry of Health’s work.The mission statement reads: “Bermuda’s health system shall assure the conditions to enable the human capacity to adapt and cope in achieving optimal health and quality of life.”Mr DeSilva explained in a press release: “This mission statement is important as it highlights that the purpose of the plan is to assure a healthy population; and that this is to be achieved by ensuring that the health system facilitates and encourage people to attain the best health possible within our reach as a community, and as individuals.”The Health Plan aims to ensure 100 percent of residents are provided with basic and essential healthcare in 2013, making healthcare more affordable and improving access and quality care.A draft of the plan was released in February to allow for consultation from groups including the Opposition, trade unions, private health insurers, charities, health professionals, employers and the general public.The final version is now available on the Ministry of Health page on the Government website. The Ministry says the plan has retained its conceptual direction following those talks.Mr DeSilva stated yesterday: “The consultation feedback provided many insightful ideas and suggestions that the task groups can now use in developing policy options to implement the National Health Plan goals.“The finalised plan that we publish today includes revisions based on feedback regarding conceptual, systemic and structural issues.“In particular, the focus on assuring population health, explicit reference to enhanced service co-ordination, and the amendment to the proposals on financing structures were a direct result of the consultation feedback.”He said the public had also requested more clarification on certain areas within the plan, and alterations to the wording.Task groups will now use the revised National Health Plan consultation feedback report to develop ways to implement the plans 11 goals.According to the statement, this will be a community-wide effort, with further public discussion and consultation taking place on an ongoing basis.Task groups will convene later this month to formally kick off this phase of the National Health Plan.A dedicated website is expected to be up and running before the end of the year, providing information about the plan and telling people how they can get involved.Useful websites: www.gov.bm, www.bhec.bm