Over 500,000 access free private care under PPP scheme costing more than $27M

More than 500,000 have visited private doctors under the Public-Private Partnership free health scheme at a cost of more than $27 million for these services.

This has been confirmed by Minister for Health Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu while responding to a question in Parliament on whether any evaluation of the PPP scheme has been undertaken.

Dr Lalabalavu says in keeping up with the commitment to transparency, value for money and continuous improvement, an evaluation was done on the PPP free health scheme programme.

When questioned by Opposition MP Alvick Maharaj on when the number of doctors under the scheme will increase as there are many who have applied and are awaiting approval, the Minister says there is a process to go through not only with the Ministry of Health but with the Ministry of Town and Country Planning as well.

He says once they meet all the required recommendations for inclusion into the programme, that can be facilitated.

Dr Lalabalavu says as part of the ongoing improvement of the programme, an evaluation was done to see the gaps and strengthen things that need to be strengthened so that the programme itself continues.

The Minister adds the Government, through the evaluation has seen the value of the programme and through a continuous monitoring and evaluation plan, they can ensure that the programme lives up to its expectations ensuring that it takes off from the public health service delivery.