Minister of Health Dr. Marcus Bethel and other health officials on Wednesday encouraged immigrants – legal and illegal – to continue to use the public health sector to avoid new diseases being introduced in The Bahamas.
Despite the fact that immigrants are placing a strain on health facilities, Dr. Bethel stressed the importance of the government providing public health services to everyone in the country – illegal immigrants included.
The minister made these comments while outlining various aspects of a report on the “Impact of Haitian and Other National Origins on Healthcare and Environmental Services”.
“It’s safe to say that the immigrant population has a significant impact on the healthcare system; no doubt about that,” Dr. Bethel told reporters at the Ministry of Health on Wednesday.
“We recognize that, but it’s important for the country to continue to provide healthcare to all persons to protect citizens from new diseases.”
The health report says 68 percent of the people who showed up to selected New Providence clinics for antenatal service in 2003 was Bahamian; 30 percent was Haitian; and other nationals accounted for 2 percent.
The figures also revealed that 70 percent of people receiving child health services in selected New Providence clinics was Bahamian; 29 percent was Haitian; and other nationals accounted for 0.6 percent.
At the March Harbour Clinic in 2003, Bahamians accounted for 54.8 percent of all antenatal visits; and Haitians accounted for 45.2 percent.
But the report says during 2003, 63 percent (76) of infants born at the Marsh Harbour Clinic was to Haitian mothers; and 38 percent (45) was to Bahamian mothers.
For school health and general care services, Bahamians accounted for 76.9 percent of visits to the Marsh Harbour clinic in 2003; and Haitians accounted for 23 percent.
Dr. Bethel said it is in the best interest of the country to allow immigrants access to healthcare. He pointed out that this is the right thing to do morally and it would also avoid international attention for discriminating against immigrants.
“The government’s policies are to treat anyone requiring healthcare within our boarders, regardless of immigration status because by treating anybody protects everyone within Bahamian boarders,” Dr. Bethel stressed.
Throughout the public health sector maternal services are free. Free services are also rendered to senior citizens, civil servants and children up to age 14.
The health minister stressed that there will be no segregation in the public health system.
By: Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
