The National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF) believes that a requirement for effective Governance is an unrelenting commitment to values that influence, shape and uphold ethical organizational conduct that puts the public’s interest ahead of all others. The Foundation’s culture, policies, structures and programmes, operating through transparent processes, all ensure that the organization is managed in a manner that meets stakeholders’ expectations in enhancing the public health system via the support of philanthropic giving.
At the National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation (NHEF), we are committed and passionate about managing a highly efficient and effective public-sector agency of the Ministry of Health and Wellness that consistently delivers impactful donor support to the public health system while prudently handling fiscal resources and stewarding donor giving. In our relentless pursuit of our passion, the NHEF has:
The NHEF is governed by a Board of Management, which has been given the statutory mandate to assume responsibility for policy and overall leadership of the affairs of the Foundation.
The Board through its Chairman works closely with the portfolio Minister of Government who has the power to issue general directions on matters of policy. The Board of Management operates following the guidelines set out in Foundations Articles of Association registered with the Companies Office of Jamaica and the Charities Act 2013 as well as the Corporate Governance Framework for Public Bodies. It has responsibility for the oversight, policy direction and administration of the affairs of the Foundation.
The Board will have between seven and nine members as appointed by the Minister with responsibility for the Foundation. The Board meets as often as necessary for the transaction of its business, with at least six meetings being held within each financial year. The Chairman or Deputy Chairman normally presides at meetings. The current board is comprised of nine members, appointed by the Minister.
The National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation’s Corporate Governance Policy is a guide to ensure that the Board complies with good corporate governance principles and best practices to effectively achieve the foundation’s mandate and to ensure that the entity’s obligations to all its stakeholders are met. It outlines the corporate governance policies and principles adopted by the foundation and is aimed at ensuring the independence and transparency of the Board and its ability to supervise management’s operations in an effective and efficient way.
The Chairman is principally responsible for the effective operation and chairing of the Board of directors and for ensuring that the information received by the Board is sufficient to make informed decisions. He acts as a direct liaison between the board and management through the Executive Director. He also provides support to the Executive Director, particularly in relation to external affairs. The Corporate Secretary is responsible for ensuring that Board processes and procedures are appropriately followed and support effective decision-making and governance. The Corporate Secretary is appointed by and can only be removed by the Board.
Each Board member is expected to commit sufficient time for preparing and attending meetings of the Board and its committees. Regular attendance at Board meetings is also a prerequisite. In-depth knowledge of the particulars of the NHEF’s business operations model is vital for each board member in making informed and objective decisions. Management has responsibility for operational activities and Board members have responsibility for the general oversight of the Fund. The Directors have complete access to the Executive Director; the Corporate Secretary and any other member of management deem necessary.
The Chairman is principally responsible for the effective operation and chairing of the Board and for ensuring that the information that it receives is sufficient to make informed decisions. He acts as a direct liaison between the board and management through the Executive Director. He also provides support to the Executive Director, particularly in relation to external affairs.
The Corporate Secretary is responsible for ensuring that Board processes and procedures are appropriately followed and support effective decision-making and governance. The Corporate Secretary is appointed by, and can only be removed by the Board.
Each Board member is expected to commit sufficient time for preparing and attending meetings of the Board, its Committees. Regular attendance at Board meetings is a prerequisite. In-depth knowledge of the particulars of the NHEF’s business is vital for each board member in making informed and objective decisions. Management has responsibility for operational activities and Board members have responsibility for the general oversight of the Fund. The Directors have complete access to the Executive Director, the Corporate Secretary and any other member of management deem necessary.
As a government organisation that utilises taxpayer funds, the NHEF is subject to certain laws. These include:
The Fund is also required to submit several reports to various government ministries, departments and agencies. These include:
Basic Guidelines
The following are the basic guidelines that should be followed in carrying out the general operations of the NHEF:
You may communicate with the members of the Board by writing to: Mr. Damion Brown Board Chairman c/o National Healthcare Enhancement Foundation Limited 72B Hope Road Kingston 6 Communications may be distributed to all members of the Board or to any individual member of the Board, as appropriate, depending on the facts and circumstances. In that regard, the Board of Management advises that items that are unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of the Board should be excluded and will not be responded to. Such items include, but are not limited to:
In addition, material that is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal, or otherwise unsuitable will be excluded; however, any communication that is excluded will be made available to any independent, non-employee director upon request.