Over the last 22 years, the expenditure for Health in Trinidad and Tobago has increased eight times.
During debate on the Finance (Supplementary Appropriation) (Financial Year 2024) Bill, 2024 on Tuesday, the Minister of Finance, Colm Imbert, said during that same period, Government revenue had only gone up four times.
At the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on June 3rd, Minister Imbert said the cost of health care has increased exponentially over the last 20 years – and it requires significant sums annually to cover its expenditure.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) article 4 ((iv)) consultation on June 5th, for the first time in a decade, Trinidad and Tobago is undergoing a gradual and sustained economic recovery.
Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Stuart Young, quoted from the article during his contribution. He said real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have further expanded by 2.1% in 2023. The article went on to say that it reflects the strong performance of the non-energy sector.