The Government will advance a legislative framework as the island progresses towards universal healthcare, the Minister of Health told the House of Assembly yesterday.

It came as Kim Wilson outlined budgetary allocations for the ministry’s programmes including the Department of Health’s Central Laboratory, which she said is in need of upgraded equipment as the island’s illegal drug landscape “is changing”.

Ms Wilson said that in the upcoming fiscal year, the ministry will advance legislative drafting to support health system governance, financing arrangements and patients’ rights protection.

She told MPs: “These legislative measures are intended to provide a stable and accountable UHC framework.”

The House heard that the project management office for UHC received a budget allocation of $1.59 million.

It will cover the salaries for a director, two project managers and a nurse, and $1 million for subject matter experts, marketing and communications.

Ms Wilson said that the Cabinet will this year receive information on a core benefits programme while legislative modernisation remains a priority.

She said: “This year, Cabinet will receive a fully costed core benefits package supported by financial stress testing under multiple utilisation scenarios, phased implementation options and defined risk mitigation strategies.

“The ministry will continue transitioning from health system design and financing models to advance measured implementation of UHC.

“Healthcare expenditure remains high by international standards with 11.6 per cent of the GDP being spent on health, representing the third highest in the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development].

“At the same time, our health outcomes are disproportionate to our spending, underscoring the urgency for health reform to address structural pressures.”

These, she said, include costs associated with Bermuda’s ageing population, prevalence of non-communicable diseases, administrative duplication and inequities in access to care.

Ms Wilson said that the Cabinet will also receive structured implementation options during 2026-27 for determination.

She said: “Under the integrated care pathways workstreams of UHC, the ministry will transition from pathway design to operational implementation of the ICPs for diabetes, chronic kidney disease and mental health.

“These pathways were designed to improve co-ordination between providers, standardise treatment protocols, strengthen early disease detection and reduce preventable hospital admissions.”

Craig Cannonier, the Shadow Minister of Health, said that although “a lot of good is being done” by the health ministry, there was a need for another department to support the its mandate.

He added that as Bermuda moves towards universal healthcare, money could be spent in the interim to ensure the “uninsured is insured”.

Overall, the Ministry of Health was allocated $302.47 million in the Budget, with $23.72 million of the share to cover its headquarters, reflecting an increase of 52 per cent.

Ms Wilson told MPs that the health department’s Central Laboratory has seen an increase in forensic analysis testing requests for drugs such as a potent variety of fentanyl, known as carfentanyl.

She said a submission for testing of the drug was “most worrying” as she noted that it is used as a tranquilliser for large animals such as elephants.

MPs heard that there were three toxicology cases that recorded fentanyl at “fatal levels”.

Ms Wilson said: “The laboratory continues to receive submissions of these dangerous compounds, confirming that the drug use landscape in Bermuda is changing.

“There is a need to maintain and keep abreast with the analytical equipment required to correctly identify these substances.

“Many pieces of the current equipment are nearing their 15-year life expectancy and require replacing.”

She said the laboratory — which was allocated $1.96 million in the Budget — processes 367 cases annually and 156 were being analysed. Of those, 54 came from the previous year’s backlog.

The minister said that the numbers reflected the requirement for a “marked increase” in laboratory supplies and maintenance of analytical equipment.

Ms Wilson noted that the facility is short of a dedicated toxicologist and two Bermudian-trained scientists were hired to ensure the “sustainability” of the lab.

She detailed $370,000-worth of grants dedicated to community organisations related to mental health.

MPs heard that $150,000 was set aside for Masc Bermuda to increase utilisation of services for men and boys, $120,000 was allocated for the Family Centre for counselling services, early detection and intervention for people aged 4 to 18.

Ms Wilson said that $100,000 was allocated for the Women’s Resource Centre to carry out its mental health mandate.

She added that efforts to promote mental wellbeing will be “amplified” through sustained campaigns.

Under the community care unit within the health department, Lefroy House Care Community, which provides care for seniors, received $6.21 million, up 17 per cent.

Ms Wilson said that operating costs had increased while there had been significant overtime costs.