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Medical Tourism will not be at the expense of locals – PS Petrona N. Davies

In the process of expanding Medical Tourism in the VI, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Health and Social Development Ms. Petrona N. Davis said that it will not be done at the expense of local patients. Photo: VINO
Ms. Davies was supported by Chief Executive Office, MTA, Mr Jonathan Edelheit, JD who said that he fully supports the VI Health sector move to expanding Medical Tourism. Photo: VINO
Ms. Davies was supported by Chief Executive Office, MTA, Mr Jonathan Edelheit, JD who said that he fully supports the VI Health sector move to expanding Medical Tourism. Photo: VINO
Media operatives earlier today January 14, 2014, were invited to a short press briefing held in the conference room of the Peebles Hospital where the new move by the health sector was ventilated. Photo: VINO
Media operatives earlier today January 14, 2014, were invited to a short press briefing held in the conference room of the Peebles Hospital where the new move by the health sector was ventilated. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Health and Social Development Ms. Petrona N. Davis today has given the assurance that the touted Medical Tourism expansion programme will not be done at the expense of local patients.

This assurance was given to media operatives earlier today January 14, 2014 at a short press briefing held in the conference room of the Peebles Hospital. The session with the media immediately followed a half day sensitization session hosted by the Ministry of Health and Social Development, BVI Health Services Authority and the Medical Tourism Association.

Ms. Davies said that Medical Tourism is a part of their overall Health Reform strategy. “… and as you know there has been a lot happening in relations to strengthening the health sector of the Virgin Islands and we would not pursue Medical Tourism at the cost of the local patients,” she assured. 

She explained that Medical Tourism makes provision for them to help strengthen the sector. At the press briefing, Ms. Davies was accompanied by Chief Executive Office, MTA, Mr. Jonathan Edelheit, JD who fully supported the VI Health sector move to expand Medical Tourism. 

He noted that internationally it has been proven that Medical Tourism accounts for a great portion of revenue than that spent by the residents of that given country.

Today’s workshop which attracted participants from some of the main pool of stakeholders, covered a wide range of topics including current/emerging trends and the future of Medical Tourism, best practices in international patient management, and the role of the travel and hospitality industry in Medical Tourism among others.

The next step will see the establishing of a working group to work on the all aspects necessary to get the initiative of expanding Medical Tourism up and running.

11 Responses to “Medical Tourism will not be at the expense of locals – PS Petrona N. Davies”

  • wow (14/01/2014, 15:28) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    just more spin and going no where fast
  • civil servant (14/01/2014, 15:34) Like (12) Dislike (5) Reply
    I like Mrs. Davis one of the few competent permanent secretaries who does work hard and not about show
  • Joc (14/01/2014, 15:45) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is a very good idea, one of the best thus far.
  • chad (14/01/2014, 16:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    Is this the same Jonathan Edelheit mentioned here with is brother Robert?

    http://sao.mt.gov/legal/insurance/pdf/I08_UNWA_C&D.pdf

  • voter (14/01/2014, 17:25) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    and here:

    http://www.imtj.com/articles/2010/medical-tourism-association-backtracks-30088/

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/10/28/us-medical-tourism-idUSTRE59R23V20091028

    good choice Pet!
  • qc (14/01/2014, 17:46) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    more empty promises
  • shaw (14/01/2014, 20:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/10/28/us-medical-tourism-idUSTRE59R23V20091028- better read this.
    It is damning with faint praise. Again, the government doesn't really comprehend possible ramifications of an aggressive MTA, which heavily promotes itself all over. And I, for one would not like to just visit a country for a rented hospital procedure and bed.

    • tretretrete (15/01/2014, 07:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Two words: "Due diligence"
      A private organisation regulating, certifying, promoting, and providing services? smh


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