The Virgin Islands could be a major destination for medical tourism just two years from now, according to the CEO of the Medical Tourism Association.
Jonathan Edelheit, CEO of the Medical Tourism Association, and Petrona Davies, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, answer questions from reporters during a presentation about the territory’s moves toward becoming a medical tourism destination. Photo: CHRYSTALL KANYUCK
Speaking at a “sensitisation session” at Peebles Hospital on Tuesday, Jonathan Edelheit said that with its reputation for safety and established presence in the tourism marketplace, the VI is well positioned to step into medical tourism.
The first step was to identify the main stakeholders within the tourism sector and the medical sector, said Ministry of Health and Social Development Permanent Secretary Petrona Davies.
She added that this includes representatives from the Ministry of Health, the BVI Health Services Authority, the Premier’s Office, the Customs and Immigration departments, the BVI Tourist Board, all three health professional councils, and private sector stakeholders like representatives from the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association and the Bougainvillea Clinic.
While the territory’s economy would benefit from a boost to tourism, residents would also benefit in the form of access to a high standard of health care and specialty services they might have had to leave the territory for previously, Ms. Davies said.
source: http://www.bvibeacon.com / The BVI beacon / Home / by Chrystall Kanyuck / Tuesday – January 14th, 2014
