WESTERN BUREAU:

President of HOSPITEN, Dr Pedro Luis Cobiella, says he will offer the most modern facility, both in surgical equipment, diagnostics and therapeutic technology at his group's Rose Hall, Montego Bay Spanish hospital when it widens Jamaica's health tourism doors.

Cobiella told The Gleaner the approval process for the hospital was far advanced with "just a few minor details to take care of".

The construction of the hospital has been in the works for more than two years and, like the industry it is targeting, the project too has been affected by the global financial crisis which has delayed the start-up time for the multi-million dollar facility.

This may not have been a negative for the investors as, in addition to completing the process of obtaining planning permission and the building licence, the company says it has been busy trying to get financial backing for the project.

Ambulatory services

Nevertheless, Cobiella pointed out that already had been proactive in the last year.

"We have invested in building up a network of 'nurse stations' under the registered trademark 'Clinic Assist' to provide ambulatory services at the hotels on the north coast of the island. There are currently two 'nurse stations' running and, in the coming months, we will open another two or three," Cobiella said.

Describing the project, he said HOSPITEN would provide a general hospital with almost all the main specialities and services, from the point of view of health tourism, as well as medical services for tourists spending their holidays in Jamaica.

"We will be offering additional services like dialysis, plastic surgery, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, cosmetic dermatology, medical check-ups, and so on, meaning that anyone planning a trip to Jamaica can count on these services and will even be able to make an advance reservation for them," he said.

Features

Initially, the facility will have 3D/4D Ultrasound, X-Ray, CT Scan (Computerised Axial Tomography), Magnetic Resonance, I.C.U. (Intensive Care Unit), a fully equipped laboratory, operating rooms and birthing rooms.

Aimed at enhancing the health tourism landscape in the island, Cobiella said that, for a tourist destination to be truly successful, three areas of safety must be covered: safety for the people on the streets, a secure legal system and safety in the health system.

"The third area is where HOSPITEN will provide safety for the destination by complementing the country's health service."

Noting that part of the management team will initially come from other HOSPITEN hospitals to start off the project, the president said his company's doctors and nurses will be Jamaican.

"If we were to have difficulties finding medical staff in Jamaica, we will bring staff from the United States, the United Kingdom or other nearby countries. In any case, the information we have is that Jamaican doctors and nurses are excellent and it is our intention to count on them."

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

About HOSPITEN

Of the 12 HOSPITEN group hospitals, four are in North The United States, two in Mexico - Cancun and Maya Riviera, and two in the Dominican Republic city of Santo Domingo and the resort town of Bavaro in Punta Cana.