Students of The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, will be able to access medical care islandwide at private and public institutions come September 2020, following the passing of an extended health-card policy led by the students’ guild.
Prior to the policy change, students were only able to obtain medical services and prescription drugs at the UWI Health Centre or at public hospitals in Jamaica.
All registered students become eligible for the university’s mandatory health insurance plan and are issued health cards at the start of each academic year, once their miscellaneous fees have been paid.
Guild President Christina Williams told The Gleaner that over the years, hundreds of students, including her, opted not to collect their health cards because of the limited access it provides.
The policy change will reflect a $450 increase in the health insurance fee paid by students for the upcoming academic year.
