Next month, the government will introduce the $10,000 Universal Healthcare Voucher in Linden, Region Ten. This announcement was made by Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony during the inauguration of the Blueberry Hill Health Centre in Linden on Tuesday. The initiative aims to allow individuals to access medical tests at both private and public health facilities, which will help in gathering vital baseline health data. The $5 billion program is projected to benefit around 500,000 people across the country.

“We are working to establish a standardized pricing model with private sector labs to ensure consistency throughout the nation. Our goal is to promote better health among our citizens. As the country experiences a period of prosperity, we want everyone to enjoy a long, healthy life to fully benefit from this progress,” Dr. Anthony stated.

In addition to the healthcare voucher, the minister encouraged the public to take advantage of various health services, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, cervical cancer screenings, and the eye-testing and spectacles voucher program.

Regarding the eye-testing and spectacles initiative, Minister Anthony revealed an expansion of the program by lowering the eligibility age from 65 to 50 years. Presently, individuals under 18 and those over 65 can access a $2,000 voucher for eye tests, alongside a $15,000 voucher for those requiring spectacles.

Since its launch in June 2024, approximately 60,000 people have benefited from this program, with nearly 55,000 individuals receiving the additional $15,000 for spectacles. Dr. Anthony urged older citizens to have their eyes examined, noting that those diagnosed with cataracts will be placed on a waiting list for complimentary surgical removal. This surgery typically costs between $250,000 and $300,000 per eye in the private sector, but the government will provide this service at no charge.