Good afternoon.
In this year’s Throne Speech, the Government of Bermuda set the agenda for a Fairer Bermuda for All through various initiatives. This afternoon, I would like to expand on those initiatives impacting our health, and I am pleased to report that we are making steady progress, particularly in fostering a healthy community.
It is worth noting again that for the third consecutive year, we have maintained a freeze on the Government’s portion of the standard health benefit. This is one of our key fairness initiatives, ensuring that healthcare remains accessible and affordable for everyone.
The Ministry of Health is committed to promoting healthy people in healthy communities. This is not just about individual well-being—it's about taking a comprehensive, collaborative approach to tackle the broader societal and environmental factors that impact our health.
This means championing physical fitness, preventing diseases, and nurturing inclusive, safe, and supportive environments that enhance mental and social well-being.
We know from our data that non-communicable diseases, such as heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and dementia, are leading causes of death in Bermuda, with diabetes and chronic kidney disease significantly affecting health as well.
In this year's Speech from the Throne, it was emphasized that chronic diseases are significantly affecting us, straining our healthcare system, raising costs at all levels, and reducing the quality of life that people should be able to enjoy.
To lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other conditions, new laws will be passed to remove foods with industrially produced trans fats from our food supply. These fats have been scientifically proven to cause these health problems.
The Department of Health has been clearing the path and building capacity to perform local testing and working with advisors at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the UK Health Security Agency. Education and consultation will precede any legislative change and once the legal controls of trans fats are adopted as policy various stakeholders internal and external will be convened to familiarize everyone with this issue and their role in reducing the risks of trans fats in the food chain in Bermuda.
A high intake of trans fats poses serious health risks, increasing the likelihood of death from any cause by 34%, coronary heart disease deaths by 28%, and coronary heart disease overall by 21%.
Despite having no known health benefits, trans fats—found in partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs)—are commonly added to foods to extend shelf life. The food industry values these fats for their ability to add firmness to margarines, provide plasticity, and maintain emulsion stability in shortenings. Yet, these functional benefits come at a steep price to health, with significant risks that far outweigh any convenience they provide.
By July 2024, 58 countries, covering a population of 3.7 billion, have implemented topnotch policies to eliminate trans fats. In 2022, CARICOM Ministers of Trade and Health Page 3 of 5 committed to enacting laws by December 2024 to remove trans fats from Caribbean foods by December 2025.
Also in this year’s Throne Speech, the Ministry of Health will continue to build on the commitment made in the Mid-Year Budget Review, to expand and enhance mental health initiatives.
Our goal is to create a Bermuda where mental health is understood and supported without stigma. Key initiatives include:
- Launching a mental health awareness campaign to educate the public and encourage help-seeking behaviors.
- Implementing a suicide prevention strategy.
- Establishing a community outreach program for tailored support.
- Starting a National Health Advocacy Program with conferences, school programs, and training.
- Supporting the MH GAP program to integrate mental health services into primary care.
- Piloting a school-based health behavior intervention program.
- Hosting a Youth Mental Health Summit.
- Providing grants to support mental health organizations.
- Creating an emergency fund for complex mental health and social support cases.
By building on existing programmes, supporting existing third sector agencies, and focusing on youth mental health, a more inclusive and supportive environment will emerge for mental well-being in our community.
As you would have seen in the 2024 Throne Speech, we did not forget our seniors. We understand that being on a fixed income can be incredibly challenging. With the rising cost of living, it's even more difficult to manage expenses.
When it comes to healthcare, we know that these financial constraints can lead to delays or even a lack of necessary care. Your health is our priority, and we're committed to finding solutions that ensure you receive the care you deserve, without added financial stress.
As we eagerly await the rollout of the new universal healthcare plan, the Government is committed to expanding access and enhancing the quality of HIP and FutureCare. This means you can look forward to more comprehensive preventative visits to your doctors, better prescription drug coverage, and reduced copays.
These changes, set to be introduced during this Session, aim to reduce your out-ofpocket expenses, ensuring that you can afford annual check-ups and the medications prescribed by your physician. This is all part of our commitment to making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.
You can expect the release of specific information on what the various benefit enhancements and extensions will look like for HIP and FutureCare participants in the short term, as we work toward increased access and affordability to healthcare and a better quality of life.
Lastly, while the journey toward Universal Health Care has not happened as quickly as we would have preferred due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the Government remains fully committed to its mission of ensuring that all Bermudians have access to quality, affordable health care.
In the year ahead, the UHC Programme will pursue some important goals. To start, in collaboration with healthcare stakeholders, we will determine the healthcare services to be included in the core benefits package for all.
This is the package of healthcare services that all residents will be able to access. We will also determine how much the services will cost. We will explore various ways to make these vital healthcare services available to everyone in a sustainable way, while also evaluating how our options will impact the economy.
As I conclude my remarks today, I want to emphasize the urgent need to strengthen Bermuda's healthcare system. We must improve health outcomes, increase efficiency, and ensure quality, affordable healthcare for all. The high costs of our current system are not reflected in our health outcomes, and this must change.
Aligned with the theme of this year's Throne Speech, "A Fairer Bermuda for All," we are launching crucial initiatives that will help foster a more equitable society. Our efforts include legislation to eliminate trans-fats, enhance mental health initiatives, and advance HIP, FutureCare, and Universal Health Care.
The upcoming legislative session will be a significant step forward in our mission to enhance health outcomes. We want to build healthy people in healthy communities, ensuring that every Bermudian can thrive.
Thank you.