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Industry Minister Sees Bright Future for Medical Tourism

By: , December 18, 2015

The Key Point:

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the Government will continue to promote and facilitate investments in the very lucrative medical tourism sector.
Industry Minister Sees Bright Future for Medical Tourism
Photo: Donald Delahaye
Health Concepts International President, Dr. Jacqueline Watson (left), greets Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, at a lecture on medical tourism, at the Caribbean School of Medical Sciences, in Kingston, on December 16. President of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, looks on.

The Facts

  • Medical tourism refers to persons travelling to another country for medical care, based on affordability.
  • Mr. Hylton informed that the country has been ranked second as the most attractive country for medical tourism, based on a 2014 index, and as a result the country stands to benefit tremendously.

The Full Story

Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says the Government will continue to promote and facilitate investments in the very lucrative medical tourism sector.

Medical tourism refers to persons travelling to another country for medical care, based on affordability.

Speaking at a lecture on medical tourism at the Caribbean School for Medical Sciences, in Kingston, on December 16, the Minister indicated that already, a draft Medical Tourism Policy paper exists with recommendations on national standards, legislative changes and a marketing framework for the industry.

“The Government’s intention is for this policy to be passed in 2016, thus giving the industry the support required to move to the next level,” he said.

The Minister added that the Fiscal Incentives Act of 2013, which is a new fiscal framework introduced in 2014, provides for reduced customs and stamp duties, corporate income tax rates as well as a list of items that can be brought into the island duty-free. These incentives are available to both recovery hotels and medical and wellness facilities.

Mr. Hylton indicated to the audience of physicians and other healthcare professionals, that this sector has already gained a fair share of investment in the form of the Hospiten Group.

The US$20 million, 16-room, 28-bed facility located at Cinnamon Hill in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, is expected to employ between 120 and 130 persons.

Mr. Hylton informed that the country has been ranked second as the most attractive country for medical tourism, based on a 2014 index, and as a result the country stands to benefit tremendously.

“In terms of competiveness, in most cases, Jamaica provides a significant price advantage over the cost of surgery in the United States. In terms of heart bypass, whilst prices in Jamaica are much higher than India, they are on par with Colombia and slightly less than Costa Rica and Mexico,” he informed.

For her part, President of Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Diane Edwards, said the agency has established a National Steering Committee to develop a strategy for medical tourism.

According to Ms. Edwards, diagnostics, surgery and dentistry represents “low hanging fruits” that can be tapped, and members of the Diaspora are primary targets.

Meanwhile, delivering her lecture, President of Health Concepts International, Dr. Jacqueline Watson, said medical tourism “is an area Jamaica should pursue and pursue aggressively”.

Concurring with the JAMPRO Head, Dr. Watson said that dentistry, diagnostics and surgery represent some of the areas that can be tapped to achieve success in the sector.

She also agreed that members of the Diaspora, who travel together with friends to the island, should be targeted.

“Jamaica has international recognition for medical tourism…and a code of practice needs to be in place for medical tourism,” she noted.

Dr. Watson emphasized that the private sector should be the one to drive growth in the sector, not the Government.

The lecture series on Medical Tourism was facilitated by JAMPRO.

Last Updated: December 18, 2015

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