Health Minister hopes for ‘adequate funding’

Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh
Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, while stating that the Caribbean held the number position for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and that the burden of NCDs alone was calculated to be five percent of this country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), said the ministry expected to be ‘adequately funded’ from today’s budget.

Deyalsingh made the comments after delivering opening remarks at the Trinidad and Tobago Medical Association’s 23 annual medical and research conference held at Trinidad Hilton yesterday. The two-day conference was done in conjunction with the Caribbean Obesity Society and the University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus.

When asked by media what he expected of today’s budget, Deyalsingh said, “We expect to be adequately funded. What I can tell you, whatever the minister of finance gives us…in the past year we have taken very strong steps to increase our efficiency without overspending.” Deyalisngh said he also intends to speak in his budget debate about the ‘exorbitant prices paid by the RHAS [Regional Health Authorities] for orthopedic supplies.’ He said that was a ‘bomb’ he intends to drop in the House.

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