PAHO Supports Ministry of Health Workshop to Strengthen Health Accounts Capacity in The Bahamas

Nassau, Bahamas., 8 July 2026 -At the request of the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), convened a Health Accounts Readiness Workshop. The session marked a step toward strengthening the country's capacity to generate and use health financing data for decision-making. It also reflects a government priority to strengthen the evidence base for health financing, resource allocation, and progress toward Universal Health.

The workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the National Insurance Board (NIB), the Department of Statistics, and the Ministry of Finance. The participation of this range of institutions reflected the cross-sectoral nature of Health Accounts and the collaboration required across the entities that hold health financing and expenditure data.

Health Accounts, based on the System of Health Accounts (SHA) 2011 framework, track who finances health services, how funds move through the health system, and what they are ultimately spent on. The Bahamas is currently among the countries whose Health Accounts estimates are produced externally rather than nationally. This workshop is a step toward changing that.

The timing is well suited to the task: data from the recently completed Household Expenditure Survey 2024-2025 gives The Bahamas a timely opportunity to conduct its first national Health Accounts exercise.

The session forms Phase one of a two-phase approach: a foundational, readiness-oriented workshop that builds shared understanding of the SHA 2011 framework and establishes the groundwork for institutionalizing Health Accounts production within the Ministry.

Dr. Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Representative for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, noted the significance of the initiative:

"This is a concrete step for The Bahamas, moving Health Accounts production from an externally generated estimate to a nationally led process. Today's discussions build a shared understanding of the SHA 2011 framework and lay the groundwork for evidence that reaches down to the level of health functions and providers, evidence that can inform fiscal space analysis and health purchasing decisions. PAHO remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Health and Wellness as it strengthens the country's health financing evidence base and advances toward universal health."

Dr. Cherita Moxey, Head of the Policy and Planning Unit, Ministry of Health and Wellness, welcomed the collaboration:

"The Ministry of Health and Wellness is proud to partner with PAHO on advancing this important initiative, marking an important milestone. Bringing together colleagues from Health Policy and Planning, Health Accounts and Financing, PHA, NHIA, NIB, and the National Statistical Institute, as well as the Ministry of Finance altogether. This diverse representation clearly underscores the collaboration required to successfully institutionalize and get Health Accounts right. The Ministry looks forward to building on this foundation as we move into the next phase of this work."

PAHO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting The Bahamas in strengthening health financing analytics and institutional capacity, as part of building a more resilient and equitable health system.