Examining the Supplementary Budget Estimates

The health sector and social support or assistance for the most vulnerable is set to receive a chunk of the recently announced supplementary budget. Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Nigel Clarke, joined the CVM Live Panel Discussion to discuss the breakdown of the supplementary budget.

Dr. Clarke noted that in any budgetary process, priority must take precedence and that at this time the priority is addressing the insensitivity of the COVID-19 virus both on the health sector and on social assistance. The Minister noted that in regards to the health sector the Ministry of Health has had to establish seven field hospitals across Jamaica; the larger number of nurses, doctors and other healthcare and frontline workers these field hospitals will need to operate in the height of the pandemic. He added that a billion dollars have been set aside for field hospitals and quarantine facilities and 1.4 billion dollars for incentives for healthcare workers who are exposed too the dangerous risks of the COVID-19 virus.

There has been criticism that with the Government’s revenues up more should be allocated to social support, however, Minister Clarke says this is a allocation for 6 months. Noting there are only 6 months left in the fiscal year, the Minister says this is a substantial allocation on an annualized basis.