Addressing employees in the health sector, Douglas shared certain details regarding the new Group Medical Insurance Scheme, which he explained is soon to be introduced, but he at the same time made a call for a renewed commitment to excellence in the time that is committed and the quality of work that they produce.
The Prime Minister, who is a medical doctor, told his health workers that they should also commit to faithfully schedule their annual check-ups, that are provided free of charge – even when they are feeling solidly robust and incredibly strong.
“An ounce of prevention, after all, is far superior to ten pounds of cure,” urged the Prime Minister.
He also urged the civil servants to renew a commitment to courtesy and civility in their dealings with both their co-workers and the members of the general public that they serve.
“I am more aware than most, of the role that Government employees play in the fulfilment of the dreams and aspirations of thousands upon thousands of our fellow nationals,” said Dr. Douglas.
He pointed out that people throughout the Federation count on Government employees to ensure that policies are properly implemented to do a number of things.
“To provide for their physical safety in times of emergency, to equip their children to compete in the world of work, to keep our public spaces clean, to ensure that proper taxes are levied, to provide the proper guidance and inputs to our farmers and so forth and so on,” said the Prime Minister.
He said his Government did all in its power to ensure that the calibre of medical benefits is provided that would liberate public employees – psychologically – so that they might apply themselves fully, without health-care related worries or preoccupations, to the varied and important tasks that are placed before them, in order to serve the interests of our nation.
Prime Minister Douglas also said his Government has long been so committed to freeing public employees from the dread that weighs so heavily in the hearts of millions around the world – the fear of a loved one developing a major and costly illness, the treatment for which neither they nor their families can even remotely begin to afford.
He took pride in officially announcing the sweeping and dramatic expansion in the medical insurance that will now be provided by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis to all of its employees.
For the first time, all Government employees – civil servants and auxiliary workers will for the first time be provided Life Insurance coverage of $10,000.
Accidental death and dismemberment coverage of $10,000, up to $50,000 in AIDS-related coverage, annual physical examinations, Air ambulance services, dental care, vision care, an increase in medical insurance benefit from a cap of $100,000 to a cap of $750,000 renewable every three years.
“All free of cost, especially at a time when we know that things are very difficult, given the global and domestic economic and financial challenges we are facing. This is timely. Without requiring even one cent, by way of payment, from Government employees,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
Other meetings, with different branches of the civil service, are expected shortly.