PHILIPSBURG–Public Health, Social Development and Labour Minister Emil Lee discussed the possibility of developing weekly flights to the Cayman Islands in an effort to develop medical referrals to that destination during his recent visit to the Bahamas for the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace.
Lee discussed the matter with Cayman Islands Deputy Premier/Minister District Administration, Tourism and Transport Moses Kirkconnell, who was also attending the CHTA forum.
The talks centred around the possible development of weekly flights from Cayman Islands for the purpose of developing direct access for referral of patients from St. Maarten to have improved access to Health City in the Cayman Islands.
“Initially, Cayman Airways is looking to begin with a weekly flight for a few weeks rotation to service medical referral clients from St. Maarten and neighbouring islands. Discussions are to begin with a Saab 340, a 34 seat aircraft, for weekly service,” Lee told reporters on Wednesday.
“As part of the negotiations, we are requesting fixed airfares so that Social Health Insurances SZV can budget referrals based on fixed transportation costs. Based on performance of the flight, the service will be evaluated to see if it is sustainable,” Lee added.
Health City Cayman Islands is supported by two major healthcare organisations, Narayana Health and the US based Ascension, which is that nation’s largest faith-based and non-profit health system. Health City Cayman Islands, which became only the second hospital in the Caribbean to receive the Joint Commission International’s “hospital accreditation” provides compassionate, high quality, affordable healthcare services in a world-class, comfortable, patient-centred environment.
Offering healthcare to international, regional and local patients, Health City Cayman Islands delivers excellence in adult and paediatric cardiology, cardiac surgery, cardiac electrophysiology, medical oncology, orthopaedics, sports medicine, paediatric endocrinology, gastrointestinal and bariatric surgery, neurology, interventional neurology and neuro-diagnostics, neurosurgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, gynaecology, dental, sleep lab and pulmonology services, the Minister’s Cabinet said in a press release on Wednesday.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/63494-minister-lee-wants-to-develop-airlift-from-cayman-islands
And out of the blue the Minsiter decided that Cayman is the answer. Very transparent. Sounds like a dollar a day. For the Minister.
Is Health City cheaper then Colombia or Dominican Republic to send patients?
The care is much better in The Cayman’s not to mention no language barrier & a safer environment. I would love to see this happen as an alternative…
I’ve been to Colombia for treatment and never experienced a language barrier as they are designed to cater to expat patients. Top notch quality care, from the moment you land (they pick you up) to the moment you fly back. Much better care and facilities then in Miami.
“At Ascension Health, we are dedicated to spiritually centered, holistic care that sustains and improves the health of the individuals and communities we are privileged to serve. Ascension Health includes hospitals, outpatient centers, and senior, home health and long-term care facilities. Our facilities and services are building or participating in regional clinically integrated systems of care to better meet health needs across the entire continuum of care”
“Health City Cayman Islands is a JCI[1] accredited tertiary care hospital in the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory,[2] specializing in chronic and acute cardiac, orthopedic, bariatric, neurological, and pediatric cases. The medical travel focused hospital has provided healthcare solutions to over 14,000[3] adult and pediatric patients who primarily reside in the Caribbean, Latin American, United States, and Canada. The 104 bed hospital is seen by the Government of the Cayman Islands as a key driver in the diversification of the country’s economy[4] and has gained its support”
So instead of diversifying our own economy we will leave it to Cayman Islands? The care in Colombia and DR is better and cheaper, although there might be a language barrier.
Interesting totally out of the box. How many seats can be filled weekly so it can be sustainable?