Naalakkersuisoq: We are in serious financial need

The health service has received almost 2 billion kroner via the Finance Act. In addition, the Danish government and Naalakkersuisut entered into an agreement in February this year regarding additional expenses equivalent to 200 million.

But even when these amounts are added together, they are not sufficient for the operation of the health service, says Naalakkersuisoq's Finance Minister, Aqqaluaq B. Egede (IA), when he was questioned by members of Inatsisartut on Wednesday.

According to him, an external investigation of the health service is underway. Although the investigation has not yet been completed, the latest reports do not bode well.

- Serious issues will still arise within the health service. Such as maintenance costs. And we have also had a working group investigate areas where there is an urgent need for funding. We already know some of them.

- When the working group is finished, we also expect that there will be other expenses, says Aqqaluaq B. Egede from the Inatsisartut podium.

Aqqaluaq B. Egede did not elaborate on which areas Naalakkersuisut already knows will need grants. Therefore, Sermitsiaq has contacted the Departments of Finance and Health about the expenses that are already known. At the time of writing, there had not yet been a response from them.

A tax reform must be implemented

The previous Naalakkersuisut implemented a tax reform. This resulted in increased purchasing power for citizens of around 360 million kroner. And as a continuation of this work, a new reform process has been initiated.

- We are working in Naalakkersuisut with the next step in the tax reform. This will be followed up by all parties being summoned and involved. Here we expect that the tax conditions will be assessed in relation to the conditions that apply to the individual citizen, to conditions regarding old age and to the business community. From the side of Naalakkersuisut, we will continue to work on this in cooperation with Inatsisartut.

However, before the negotiations with Inatsisartut, the result of the working group that is currently underway is awaited.

- Among other things, we have set up working groups. When they are finished, Naalakkersuisut expects that the political negotiations can be carried out, says Aqqaluaq B. Egede.