More medicines will now be included in the Free Medicine Scheme as announced in the 2016 budget.
It will now increase to one hundred and forty two medicines, almost double the current numbers.
With an increase of eleven million dollars, the government is focusing on providing more free medicine for people earning less than twenty thousand dollars a year.
In an effort to improve health services the government has given a 10 year tax holiday for investors who want to invest in private hospitals with a minimum investment of seven million dollars.
There’s also an increase in funding for the operational cost of existing Public Health facilities while nine million dollars will pay for additional doctors and nurses.
Minister for Health Jone Usamate says the budget has opened up opportunities for the ministry.
In order to improve awareness and diagnosis the government will remove duty health diagnostic equipment and products including diabetes diagnostic strips.
