Sir, - Maev-Ann Wren's article on the health services in your edition of October 2nd asserted that the Irish health system was "about to be milked for profit by private sector companies".
Bupa Ireland is part of an international provident society, which means that it is a not-for-profit organisation, that it has no shareholders, and that it makes no distributions. Any surpluses made are invested in the capital reserves we are obliged to maintain by law, and in better services for our members.
Since our entry to the Irish market in 1997 the range of treatments covered has widened and the numbers taking out health insurance have grown substantially. For just over £200 a year (before tax relief) adults can buy a policy providing comprehensive cover for all treatments they can reasonably expect throughout their lives. - Yours, etc.,
Sean L. Murray, Marketing Director, Bupa, Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.