A Medical Tourism Industry Should Be at the Forefront of a National Development Plan

A Medical Tourism Industry (MTI) refers to an amalgam of health, tourism, and auxiliary services seamlessly collaborating to deliver medical, surgical, and dental care that is primarily tailored to meeting visitors’ healthcare wants and needs, while facilitating the medical tourists’ (and their families’) utilization of the destination’s services and attractions geared toward recreation, relaxation, and pleasure.

While SVG may have a once-in-a-August-moon medical tourist, currently, we do not have anything even approaching a primordial MTI.

Since AIA was commissioned in February, 2017, I had envisioned SVG headhunting and partnering with an internationally established, recognized, and accredited MTI player to develop a vibrant local MTI. I anticipated Invest SVG playing a pivotal role here.

An overview of the socioeconomic benefits of a MTI to SVG

(a) Reduces cost of healthcare to government: With the appropriate arrangements (e.g. waived duties, VAT, etc.), the MTI can, in exchange, offer annually a predetermined number of Vincentians a range of investigations, procedures, and treatments for free or at cost.

(b) Diversifying our economic base: SVG will lessen its exclusive dependence on traditional sectors such as (regular) tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, offshore financial services, etc.

(c) Saves and generates foreign exchange: By reducing the need for Vincentians to travel overseas for health care, coupled with the influx of overseas patients, there will be a net gain in foreign exchange.

(d) Improved resource allocation: The financial gains for the SVG government from such a venture can be reinvested in government-owned healthcare institutions (e.g. Acute Care Hospital, MCMH, outpatients’ clinics, smart hospitals, mental health hospital, etc.).

(e) Increased real estate activity: This project would boost the real estate market. A MTI will have to lease, buy, and/ or build property for their overseas staff.

(f) State-of-the-art treatment: With improved patient care there will be an improvement in health outcomes for Vincentians.

(g) All-year tourism: Health tourism is not seasonal. Many elective medical procedures can be scheduled in the “off-season” in the traditional tourist industry to take advantage of reduced room costs and help fill seasonally empty rooms.

(h) Construction activity: A MTI hospital project will provide jobs for approximately 300-400 Vincentians over its 24-36 month construction phase.

(i) Long-term employment: A significant number of Vincentians will be directly employed – including doctors, nurses, radiographers, pharmacists, accountants, engineers, IT specialists, office workers, restaurant workers, hotel workers, security personnel, casual workers, and others, as a result of a MTI. There would be numerous indirect employment opportunities – farmers, fisherfolk, delivery drivers, taxi drivers, manufacturers, etc. will also benefit.

(j) New business opportunities: With the increased influx of tourists, one will see the opening of more tourism-related businesses (e.g. tour operators, wellness retreats featuring local flora, art & culture tours, water taxi services, nightclubs, car rentals, boat rentals, kayak rentals, etc.).

(k) Transference of skills and knowledge: Overall, skills and knowledge within the local healthcare profession should improve.

(l) Research: Computerization of medical records would enhance data collection. This will result in an evidence-based and improved management of several illnesses in SVG.

(m) SVG will have improved name recognition and an enhanced international reputation: This can have tremendous spillover benefits in such areas as an overall increase in visitor arrivals and improving SVG’s ability to attract international investors.

(n) Big Brother programme: A MTI will be able to help open doors at health institutions across the globe for the training of Vincentian healthcare professionals.

(o) Savings to local health insurance carriers: Often local health insurance carriers have to fund overseas treatments for their subscribers. Many of these treatments would now become available in SVG and at a significantly reduced cost.

(p) Returning nationals: An increased number of Vincentians living in the diaspora, especially those with health issues, will feel more at ease relocating to SVG, especially during their retirement years.
(q) High-End tourists: The spending per capita of medical tourists is on average 2 to 3 times more (excluding hospital-associated costs) than that of regular tourists.

(r) Increase in demand for our hotel rooms: The increased demand for hotel rooms by the families of health tourists will translate into increased jobs in several sectors – e.g. hospitality, construction, craft, entertainment, etc.

(s) Other: We have the advantage of location (location, location) on our side. Most medical tourists come from:
1. United States (eastern seaboard)
2. Canada
3. UK
4. Western Europe

The best time to have taken the initiative and put in place a framework for developing a structured, reputable, and sustainable MTI would have been shortly after AIA opened, the next best time is now.

Author: Dr. C. Malcolm Grant – Family Physician, c/o Family Care Clinic, Arnos Vale. Former tutor, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados. Host of radio programme, Physician on Call. For appointments: clinic@familycaresvg.com, 1(784)570-9300, (Office), 1(784)455-0376 (WhatsApp)
Disclaimer: The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Dr. C. Malcolm Grant, Family Care Clinic or The Searchlight Newspaper or their associates, respectively, are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information provided above.