All citizens can now benefit from enhanced eye care services through the Ministry of Health’s expanded healthcare voucher programme, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 67 private healthcare providers on Thursday.
This significant expansion removes previous age restrictions, which limited services to individuals aged 18 and younger, as well as those 50 and older. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, announced that anyone requiring an eye test can now access the programme, which also provides for spectacles if necessary.
Available Vouchers
Eye Testing Voucher: Valued at $2,000
Spectacles Voucher: Valued at $15,000
Cervical Cancer Screening Voucher: Valued at $8,000
Universal Health Vouchers: Valued at $10,000 for both children and adults
Each voucher must be utilized to its full value, with any additional costs covered by the beneficiary.
The MOU signing marks the continuation of the voucher initiative for its third consecutive year. In 2025 alone, the programme saw a remarkable utilization of 326,868 vouchers, highlighting strong public interest in accessible healthcare. Dr. Anthony noted, “This has been a very successful programme for us.”
Key Achievements
- Approximately 1,200 individuals identified with cataracts received treatment through the eye care programme.
- Over the past two years, 20,000 women accessed HPV testing via the cervical cancer screening voucher, yielding a 19% positivity rate.
Dr. Anthony emphasized the goal of doubling participation in cervical cancer screenings to 40,000 women by the end of the year.
Supporting Chronic Disease Monitoring
Around 37,000 persons accessed HbA1c testing, with nearly 8,000 showing very elevated levels. The data collected helps the ministry analyze health trends by region and gender, strengthening preventative healthcare efforts.
Focus on Equitable Access
While the programme continues to expand, challenges persist, especially in hinterland communities. The Minister urged healthcare providers to conduct outreach activities to ensure equitable access, stating, “We don’t want people to just be on the coast. We want people in the regions to have access to these tests.”
Future Considerations
The Ministry is also exploring the possibility of adding abdominal ultrasound services to the voucher programme in the future, further enhancing the healthcare services available to the public.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to improving national health outcomes by partnering with private providers and ensuring that all citizens have access to essential health services.
