The National Health Fund (NHF) celebrates 20 years of existence since its launch in 2002 to provide financial support to the national healthcare system.

Shane Dalling, acting board chairman for the NHF, who was speaking at a press conference on Tuesday (January 17), outlined that the fund has provided significant benefits to beneficiaries since its launch.

He noted that there are nearly 345,000 active beneficiaries as of December 31, 2022, and $58.66 billion paid since its start.

Dalling further noted that enrollment in the Individual Benefits Programme has increased by 286,000 beneficiaries and, as of December, was approximately 741,000 beneficiaries.

“Approximately 3.2 million claims (prescription filled) in 2012/2013, compared to 4.3 million claims this year,” he said.

He noted that five health conditions accounted for 78 per cent of the total subsidy payments.

Diabetes accounted for 30 per cent, followed by hypertension which accounted for 24 per cent, high cholesterol at 11.3 per cent, prostate cancer at seven per cent and glaucoma at six per cent.

The NHF is an agency of the Ministry of Health and Wellness which is mandated to provide support to the healthcare system to improve the effectiveness and affordability of healthcare to citizens.