The Health Ministry has been allocated $11 million more for 2016 compared to this year.
The Ministry has been given $280 million for next year.
With $11 million more in its coffers, the Health Ministry is confident of lifting the health care system to another level next year.
Health Minister Jone Usamate was a happy man after the budget was announced.
“Like all other ministries we have our plans. Our submissions have been considered. Now that we have been given that figure, we will just make use of and make sure we provide the ultimate service we can,” said Usamate.
Free medicine scheme has also been extended from 72 medicinal items to 142 with an allocation of $10 million.
Government also intends to purchase generic drugs from India at a lower cost.
$9 million has also been allocated to recruit 150 doctors and 250 nurses.
“That’s the continuation of what we have been doing for this past two years. we have been increasing the number of doctors and nurses because at the end of the day curative health is about having people who can deliver the service,” revealed the Minister for Health.
Government has also set the platform to encourage more private hospitals in the country by giving 10 year tax holiday with a minimum investment of $7 million.
The set up of an Ancillary Medical Service will attract a four year tax holiday.
“Work is continuing at the Ba hospital. further work will be continued on areas like the CWM maternity and all of those others. there is an important need for infrastructure development and this is reflected in the budget. the budget is 40 percent of capital development,” added Usamate.