Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

VI Medical Tourism unfeasible now - Dr Vanterpool

- Says develop local industry first then solicit tourists
Dr Heskeith Vanterpool, owner of the Bougainvillea Clinic, a private hospital in the Capital City, Road Town, is of the view that while there was much talk of Medical Tourism under the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, it is unfeasible for the Virgin Islands (VI) at this time. Photo: VINO/File
Back in August 2018, Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reported that the Bougainvillea Clinic had performed five Radiation Seed Implant surgeries, to treat prostate cancer. Four of the men treated by the Clinic were residents of the VI, while the other came as a medical tourist from overseas. The success of the surgeries was highly celebrated as ‘cutting edge’ and marked the first medical tourist for the institution. Photo: Provided
Back in August 2018, Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reported that the Bougainvillea Clinic had performed five Radiation Seed Implant surgeries, to treat prostate cancer. Four of the men treated by the Clinic were residents of the VI, while the other came as a medical tourist from overseas. The success of the surgeries was highly celebrated as ‘cutting edge’ and marked the first medical tourist for the institution. Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola VI – Dr Heskeith Vanterpool, owner of the Bougainvillea Clinic, a private hospital in the Capital City, Road Town, is of the view that while there was much talk of medical tourism under the previous National Democratic Party (NDP) administration, it is unfeasible for the Virgin Islands (VI) at this time.

The medical doctor echoed those sentiments on April 15, 2019, at a press conference held by the management of the Clinic to highlight the 100% success rate of their Cat Lab, after just six months in operation.

Building Credibility

‘I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it [medical tourism] as it relates to the BVI, nearly everywhere that I see medical tourism being successful, the service has to be built from the ground up, for the population of the territory and then, once that is a successful service, people from around feel more comfortable coming to participate,” Dr Vanterpool told the press.

He said while his belief is personal, and over the years, politicians have been touting its possibility on local shores, however, implementing the initiative is not as simple as it seems.

“I think it would be very difficult for people from the United States—which is the market that we are always looking at—nobody from the United States is going to get up from a there and come down to the British Virgin Islands for cardiac care just like that,” he said in noting that the territory may lack credibility in the area.

Back in August 2018, Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reported that the Bougainvillea Clinic had performed five Radiation Seed Implant surgeries, to treat prostate cancer.

Four of the men treated by the Clinic were residents of the VI, while the other came as a medical tourist from overseas. The success of the surgeries was highly celebrated as ‘cutting edge’ and marked the first medical tourist for the institution.

Yet, Dr Vanterpool seems to have a difference in opinion regarding the ability of the territory to service medical tourism, giving his own success.

Specific Procedures

According to the Doctor, “There may be some specific procedures that they [medical tourists] may be willing to do that for. I think it is important that we build our services in all fields as much as we can for the local people first of all,” he said.

Further, Dr Vanterpool implores that only when the local industry is solidly and successfully built, then, the territory can reach out to people from around the other islands and from around the region to partake of those services.

14 Responses to “VI Medical Tourism unfeasible now - Dr Vanterpool”

  • dude (18/04/2019, 12:10) Like (10) Dislike (15) Reply
    The last administration with their stupidness and out of touched pie in the sky ideas. I'm so glad they're gone.
  • Mouth (18/04/2019, 12:32) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Where he come from buddy?? Didn't know he could talk!
  • Tables Turn (18/04/2019, 14:29) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    Very subjective! The idea may have been feasible if the government had a different face and he still stand to rape the NHI. He is only one raisin in the cookie and since he monopolized the system for 8 years now stands not to make any significant gains it's unfeasible? Please, go sit down!
  • Concerned (18/04/2019, 14:44) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    I disagree. People do come here for procedures from other countries. Doctors bring their equipment and do their procedures. It is good and will be good for BVIHSA. They also bring their own staff. The patients recover here and have a mini vacation and everyone is happy!
    • dude (18/04/2019, 18:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      How I know that you're talking stupidness?
      "Doctors bring their equipment and do their procedures. They also bring their own staff."
      SO WHAT THE HELL ARE WE OFFERING OR DOING FOR THEM?

      NDP took some of all you minds..
  • .. (18/04/2019, 16:26) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have met people at Eureka that came from Antigua to your doctors here at your medical facility Dr. Vanterpool. I can only imagine the people from the neighbouring islands, etc. that come to Bouganvillea. I beg to differ with your claims, the US is certainly not your only market, so why will it be the territories? I think you are being selfish with your statements, and wanting everything for yourself.
  • Quiet Warrior (18/04/2019, 19:49) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Patriotism/nonpartisan player requires calling it as you see it regardless of which party is in power. If medical tourism is unfeasible today, was it unfeasible yesterday day? And if yes, where was the voice before? Nonetheless, medical or health tourism is citizen(s) leaving his/her home country, area, region......etc to pursue high quality, affordable, access to and better health care in another country, area....etc. Health tourism is a growing and competitive business. People can enjoy a vacation and receive high quality and affordable care in these countries: India, Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Mexico, Costa Rico, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore........etc without forking out an arm and a two legs. The quality of care is often equal to or better and cost markedly less than in patients home country(s).

    Moreover, to be competing in the health tourism arena, the BVI must position itself to provide residents with high quality, accessible and low cost care. The BVI is not currently at/in this position. It is no secret that local healthcare is expensive (dear) and many services must be sought overseas. Some medical practitioners in the VI has a reputation for high cost (dear). Medical practitioners must cover their cost, make a living and turn a reasonable profit but the dear prices......geez sum bred mon! Providing medical care should be a labour of love; but profit making should not be the primary driving force. This label clearly does not apply to every practitioner. If the BVI cannot yet provide residents with high quality, low cost care, how will it provide it to visitors seeking high quality, low cost care? If the BVI wants to be a serious player in the competitive health tourism business, it must have the facilities, the doctors, support staff, capacity/capability........etc. Further, providing medical tourism should not deprive residents of access, availability.......etc high quality health care.
  • motive (18/04/2019, 20:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    People should be able to choose the best doctors for their own health and not directed by NHI where to avail healthcare like what is happening right now.

    People need to get the best healthcare for themselves. THE BEST IS SADLY NOT YET AVAILABLE IN BVI.

    When choosing healthcare provider, we prefer a medical center where international standards are followed and REGULATED and not only for profit. How many politicians and respectable islanders avail complicated and urgent service from local centers aside from cough and colds? Zero. How sure are we there are 100% success rate? There are NO existing government and private agencies which monitor their success and failure rate. Even doctors are not monitored and regulated in this island.
  • wize up (18/04/2019, 22:14) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am of the opinion once our country improves its medical standards and secure the services of medical specialist sky is the limit: persons without Americans Visas can come to BVI for specialized treatment(noting is possible in today’s world) these set of little islands and cays was once branded as a bird sanctuary: we have done so remarkable the same Great Britain is on the way back to these little set of islands and cays: let big man run purple palace(Peebles will be alright not because his political group could not get the job done) we should abandon such a good idea so purple palace will have the medical Monopoly in the BVI....we have a good build(ask Irma & Maria) just introduce the proper medical equipment and competent medical technicians


  • what (19/04/2019, 07:54) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    People should have the right to choose their own doctors whether here or overseas. NHI should not prevent them from doing so.
  • Wickedness (19/04/2019, 09:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    wickedness from long time,playing smart.
  • investigate (19/04/2019, 09:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This place is amongst the most expensive in the world. Beat Trinidad and Puerto Rico for most expensive health care around..... Though we have to appreciate the advancement and and technology they bring... Damn they can do lot better. Most of these medical facilities come to suck the life out of NHI /Government..Hope Carvin give this industry a serious look as it relates to price and service.. U can get your ticket your hotel room for a week go to Puerto Rico or University Hospital in Jamaica and your medical care work out cheaper and the care just as good.... They can do a lot better...
  • OZYMANDIAS (23/04/2019, 08:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Listen to wickedness nuh? This man own SEVERAL MEDICAL FACILITIES yet sits on the NHI board in a high capacity? Hinders every other facility and makes sure his facilities benefit on time every time. He will tell you only his facilities ready for medical tourism. You all foolish bad.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.