The long-anticipated national insurance plan for entertainers and creatives has officially been launched.

The Jamaica Entertainers and Creatives Insurance Plan (JECIP) was launched at the Ministry of Culture on Tuesday evening.

Speaking at the event, Culture Minister Olivia Grange explained that the free insurance scheme will initially benefit more than 4,000 individuals on the national registry of entertainment practitioners or the e-registry.

She noted that a survey conducted earlier this year indicated widespread support for the initiative.

The contract for the insurance scheme was awarded to Guardian Life Insurance Company following a competitive tender process.

The scheme will provide qualified people in the industry with group health, group life and group personal accident coverage.