Region Two launches Universal Health Care Voucher programme

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, on Friday officially launched the Universal Health Voucher Initiative in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), a programme aimed at improving access to critical health screenings for both adults and children.
During his brief remarks held at Windsor Forest Health post, Minister Anthony highlighted the initiative’s role in early disease detection and prevention. He emphasised the importance of proactive health screenings, noting that an imbalance in thyroid hormone production can lead to various health issues. He stressed the need for proper thyroid function, and underscored that the Universal Health Care Voucher provides access to essential tests that help monitor thyroid activity.
He further elaborated on the tests available under the programme, stating that individuals at risk for heart disease can benefit from blood tests that assess fat levels in the bloodstream. Additionally, the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test for men enables early detection of prostate cancer.

“If that test, when we do it, is elevated, then we can tell you what precautions to take. An elevated PSA is one of the signs that you might suffer from prostate cancer. If we detect that, we can guide you to take additional tests and confirm whether or not you have prostate cancer,” the Minister explained.
Minister Anthony also noted that the voucher, valued at $10,000, will list available tests, allowing beneficiaries to select the ones they need. He added that the Government has negotiated a standardised pricing system with private laboratories to ensure affordability, even if the total cost of selected tests exceeds the voucher’s value.

Benefits for children
Children will also benefit from a specialised health voucher, with screenings tailored to different age groups. Dr Anthony underscored the necessity of age-appropriate tests, ensuring early intervention in childhood illnesses.
“Diseases that affect older people or adults are not necessarily the same as those affecting children. If we conduct these screening tests and find problems, we can work with the children to reduce complications,” he added.
Minister Anthony urged residents to take full advantage of the programme, highlighting its potential to improve nationwide health outcomes.
“All this good can be here, and nobody uses it. So, we need a partnership between the Ministry, the Government, and the community. Spread the word and encourage people to collect their vouchers and get tested. If we detect any problems, we can intervene early and help,” he stressed.

Additionally, Dr Anthony reminded attendees of the Government’s ongoing eye-care voucher programme, which has provided eye tests for more than 68,000 individuals, and financial assistance for spectacles. This initiative will continue, benefiting children under 18 and senior citizens.
Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer (RHO) Dr Ranjeev Singh reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare services in rural areas. He noted that, in the past, many villages lacked full-time doctors, but today, Windsor Castle and surrounding communities have stationed medical professionals.
“A couple of years ago, you did not have a doctor here. You had a doctor visiting once a month or every two months. Now, the people of Devonshire Castle, Hampton Court, Sparta, and Waltham Hall have a doctor stationed here every single day,” Dr Singh stated.
The RHO also commended the administration’s investment in human resources, noting that local youths have been trained as nurses, pharmacy assistants, and midwives, many of whom now serve their communities.
“Before, you had one staff here, perhaps a midwife. Now, you have additional staff one is in training, and one has completed training. You will have quality healthcare right in your community,” he affirmed.
Dr Singh described the Universal Health Voucher Initiative as a significant step toward ensuring accessible healthcare for all. He assured residents that the Government remains committed to continuous improvements in the sector.
The Universal Health Voucher allows adults and children to access a variety of essential medical tests, including screenings for diabetes, kidney and liver function, prostate cancer, thyroid disorders, and other critical health indicators. These tests aim to identify potential health concerns early, facilitating timely treatment and reducing complications.