В Багамских Островах число первичных визитов в систему национального медицинского страхования превысило 121 тысячу в 2025 году

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) recorded more than 121,000 primary healthcare visits in 2025, as the program continued to expand its reach across The Bahamas, with officials pointing to growing use of preventive care and chronic disease management, the authority said in its 2025 Performance Report. According to the NHIA, it has already surpassed the halfway point toward its 2026 targets, completing more than 24,000 annual physicals — almost 70 percent of its goal — and more than 38,000 doctor visits, representing more than half of its annual target. The report explains that beneficiaries made 121,107 primary care visits during the year, including 27,218 annual physicals and 10,603 chronic care visits. The authority said the figures reflect increasing use of routine screenings, early detection and ongoing management of chronic illnesses. Family medicine specialist and medical director of NHI Bahamas Dr. Tonette Hanna lauded the steady increase in primary care visits and chronic disease monitoring. “Preventive care is the foundation of a healthier population. Through our annual physical campaign, we are reinforcing the importance of early detection and routine screening in reducing the burden of chronic illnesses,” said Hanna. According to the NHIA report, the program now serves more than 163,000 beneficiaries across nine islands through a network of 130 physicians and 82 healthcare facilities. The report also shows continued growth in maternal and child healthcare services. It explains that maternity care visits increased by 42 percent during the year, while pediatric visits rose 6.6 percent. It adds that telehealth consultations also remained part of the program’s strategy to improve access, with nearly 700 virtual visits recorded in 2025, particularly benefiting residents of the Family Islands. The report also emphasizes the continued burden chronic non-communicable diseases place on the healthcare system. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity remained among the leading conditions treated through the program, the report states. It explains that 90 percent of cardiovascular disease cases were associated with hypertension, while Type II diabetes accounted for the majority of diabetes diagnoses. The report notes that the findings reinforce the importance of annual physical examinations in identifying health risks before symptoms become severe, improving disease management, and reducing preventable complications. The report comes as NHIA continues its 2026 Annual Physical Awareness Campaign, launched earlier this year to encourage beneficiaries to make routine check-ups part of their regular healthcare. Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Michael Darville said the figures demonstrate the growing role of the program in strengthening the country’s healthcare system. “National Health Insurance is transforming healthcare in The Bahamas and advancing our commitment to universal health coverage,” Darville said. “As one of the few countries in the region with a national health insurance program, we are expanding access to quality primary care while using data and electronic health records to improve patient outcomes and strengthen our healthcare system. The continued increase in primary care visits reflects a growing culture of prevention, and I encourage all eligible Bahamians to take advantage of their annual physical.”