Education Minister: No outstanding medical claims

EDUCATION Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said the government’s contribution to group health insurance for monthly paid officers at primary and secondary schools has received its full allocation and there are no outstanding claims at this time.

She was responding to a question from Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh during the standing finance committee on October 17.

Indarsingh asked, “Will this $100,000 increase ensure this group health insurance plan (for secondary schools) is fully funded? Is there any shortfall?”

Gadsby-Dolly said it would, and if more money was required, it would be vired into the vote.

“The projected figure is just over $9 million, $9.1 million, so if the $8.9 million that is allocated, it will require a small virement, and that will be done.”

Indarsingh asked if there were outstanding claims under the plan, to which the minister replied, “No.”

A similar exchange took place regarding primary schools. The minister said the projection was $9 million, just over the allocation of $8 million, and any additional funds would be vired.

St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen asked if the allocation for group health insurance for monthly paid officers at technical and vocational officers was in arrears or up to date.

Gadsby-Dolly said based on the estimates up to the end of the fiscal year, the entire $17,100 had been used.

Earlier this year, the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association (TTUTA) held several protest actions as it said teachers were owed $33 million in payment of medical insurance refunds.

Attempts to reach TTUTA president Martin Lum Kin for comment were unsuccessful.