AMID reports of a government minister spending some US$16,000 of his own money on medical treatment in Ireland, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Friday announced that the administration is in the process of negotiating a medical insurance policy for all ministers.

The minister in question had spent his own funds for the treatment and Harmon confirmed that this was so, saying “ministers have sought permission to travel to Ireland for medical treatment…so far those bills are dealt with by the ministers themselves.”

The Minister of State noted that government has gone a “very far way in negotiating a medical insurance policy, which would take care of those matters in the future.” When asked by reporters why Ireland was chosen as opposed to the Caribbean and North America, the minister said, “The point is if you are sick, you’d want to get what you consider to be the best possible medical facilities,” noting that the ministers in question believe that going to Ireland would afford them the best treatment for their ailments.

Harmon did not state exactly how much money the ministers spent on medical treatment in Ireland but said, “The cost would be different depending on the issue the minister has to deal with…right now these are expenses borne by them and later on when the insurance policy kicks in then the insurance policy will deal with those matters,” he added.

Meanwhile, under the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration, led by former President Donald Ramotar, several government officials came under scrutiny for racking up huge medical bills, which were paid for the state. Former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, had spent $2.1M of the state’s money to have her dental work done. Sukhai, when questioned about the use of state funds to do her dental work was reported to have said that it would be deemed discrimination against Amerindians, whether minister or not, to deny them of medical assistance.

She said like any other person who received medical support, or as in her case assistance for her dental work, she too was entitled. “…unless they are telling me that I am not supposed to enjoy any benefits that is available under the position,” it was reported.

In March 2015, it was announced that the PPP administration had intended to change its policy for government officials to access assistance for medical treatment from the Consolidated Fund. Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, now Opposition Leader, had said while the benefits from Constitutional posts and those elected to serve could not be removed, the move was intended to limit the charges to the Consolidated Fund.

At that time, Jagdeo also felt that monies paid to some officials were excessive and in some instances should not have been funded by the state.

President David Granger, who was at the time Opposition Leader had urged that the system be restructured and had stressed that when he takes office structured policy and guidelines would be implemented. “There should be a law that governs the conditions under which members of the Cabinet or members of the government access this particular facility… how much and for how long, that is what is needed,” Granger had said.

An audit report of the Ministry of Health for the years 2012 to 2013 showed that over $116M was spent on cancer treatment for former (deceased) presidential advisor, Navin Chandarpal. Similarly, former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, had expended some $4.9M in 2012, while Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Ali Baksh, received $12.2M for a coronary artery bypass. Other PPP government officials, who had benefitted from assistance for medical treatment included former Minister of Human Services, Jennifer Webster, which had been ($1.3M), former Prime Minister Sam Hinds ($28,240) and his wife Yvonne Hinds ($788,880).