Persons living with diabetes and hypertension will now be able to receive treatment from selected private healthcare providers across the island at no cost to them.

This, as the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has officially launched its public-private partnership for non-communicable diseases.

The ministry this morning (November 17) signed off on the partnership with some four private partners.

The providers participating in the pilot of the programme are Duke Street Medical and Healthline Medical in Kingston and St. Andrew, City Medical in Clarendon and Providence Medical in St. Ann.

Speaking at the launch, Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton noted that thousands of patients will benefit from the initiative.

He further explained that the programme will likely be expanded to include other non-communicable diseases in the near future.

The Health Minister noted that patients will be referred from their local health centres based on pre-defined inclusion criteria.