VI eying Panama for overseas health care option
While giving an update on the status of recruitment, equipment and infrastructure of the New Peebles Hospital on NDP Radio last evening July 16, 2012, the Minister for Health said Government representatives have travelled to Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Panama to ascertain the level of health care options available for residents of the VI. While both Puerto Rico and Jamaica continues to provide medical care for the VI as needed, he said what he saw in Panama was amazing.
“The team that went there …is no question that we can get good care there which is just half an hour to Puerto Rico,” Hon. Ronnie Skelton disclosed, noting that with an air ambulance from the VI, it will take a little over an hour to get there.
According to the Minister for Health, while the new hospital is being built, it was important that they continue to ensure residents get the medical attention that they needed.
He further added that Government will investigate to see how best the facilities in Panama will be utilized as even when the Peebles Hospital is finished, the Territory will still be depending on other hospitals in the region since it will never be able to handle all levels of health care.
Meanwhile, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and Deputy Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering, who was also a guest on the programme, added that Panama has opted as an economic boost, to develop their health care facility.
He further disclosed that the country wants the entire Latin America and Caribbean to refer complex cases to them rather than the US which he said will work out cheaper for “same level or higher level of care”.
Regarding the level of expertise of the doctors in Panama, it was also revealed that they very qualified.
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