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New medical procedure highlights move to health tourism
11/4/2009
11/4/2009
By Khalil Goodman
Barbadian doctors trained in an innovative, minimally invasive gynaecological surgery are giving back to the country two-fold: by providing the service in Barbados for the first time and by training other local doctors.
The Ministry of Health is hailing the move as an example of the expanded health services available in the country, noting that Barbados “is poised and ready to take advantage of the health tourism sector”.
Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, was speaking at the launch of Caribbean Gynaecological Endoscopic Services (CariGES) held at the Sandy Lane Hotel last night. He said that the new service well reflects that Barbados could be the place of choice for health and medical tourism, which is a multi-million dollar niche sector.
Inniss, having returned recently from a health tourism conference in Los Angeles, notes that Barbados’ tourism product is mature enough to seamlessly connect with his Ministry to promote these services and that the move has already been made to make visitors more aware of the health and wellness services of Barbados. He highlighted that the training aspect of CariGES is extremely important to strengthening the capacity of local doctors and the variety of medical services available on the island.
Noting that in 2009 the Ministry of Health spent $400 million dollars – half on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital – he noted that any procedure that reduces recovery time of patients means less strain on the hospital.
In giving remarks on the new services, Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, echoed his colleague, saying that the time is now over where people visit tropical countries simply for the sun and turquoise water, and Barbados must move forward with it.
CariGES is headed by Dr. Eltora Bennett and Dr. Geoffrey Lafond. Both doctors were trained along with other local doctors in St. Lucia by Dr. John George Director, Gynaecologic Endoscopy, Washington Hospital Centre, Washington, DC.
Dr. Bennett told the Barbados Advocate that the services have started in Barbados with one procedure conducted on Tuesday morning and another Tuesday night. “This gives women the option to have the procedure … which is less invasive and reduces the recovery time.
Dr. Geoffrey Lafond added that the procedures include that of fibroid removal, hysterectomy, and removal of ovarian cysts and treatment of endometriosis – which if left untreated could result in infertility. Minister Inniss noted that while the procedure is currently available in the private healthcare facility of Bayview Hospital, his Ministry has just spent $275 000 on a laparoscopic suite with hopes that doctors such as Bennett, Lafond and others equally trained will be able to give of their services in the public sector as well.
By Khalil Goodman
Barbadian doctors trained in an innovative, minimally invasive gynaecological surgery are giving back to the country two-fold: by providing the service in Barbados for the first time and by training other local doctors.
The Ministry of Health is hailing the move as an example of the expanded health services available in the country, noting that Barbados “is poised and ready to take advantage of the health tourism sector”.
Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, was speaking at the launch of Caribbean Gynaecological Endoscopic Services (CariGES) held at the Sandy Lane Hotel last night. He said that the new service well reflects that Barbados could be the place of choice for health and medical tourism, which is a multi-million dollar niche sector.
Inniss, having returned recently from a health tourism conference in Los Angeles, notes that Barbados’ tourism product is mature enough to seamlessly connect with his Ministry to promote these services and that the move has already been made to make visitors more aware of the health and wellness services of Barbados. He highlighted that the training aspect of CariGES is extremely important to strengthening the capacity of local doctors and the variety of medical services available on the island.
Noting that in 2009 the Ministry of Health spent $400 million dollars – half on the Queen Elizabeth Hospital – he noted that any procedure that reduces recovery time of patients means less strain on the hospital.
In giving remarks on the new services, Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, echoed his colleague, saying that the time is now over where people visit tropical countries simply for the sun and turquoise water, and Barbados must move forward with it.
CariGES is headed by Dr. Eltora Bennett and Dr. Geoffrey Lafond. Both doctors were trained along with other local doctors in St. Lucia by Dr. John George Director, Gynaecologic Endoscopy, Washington Hospital Centre, Washington, DC.
Dr. Bennett told the Barbados Advocate that the services have started in Barbados with one procedure conducted on Tuesday morning and another Tuesday night. “This gives women the option to have the procedure … which is less invasive and reduces the recovery time.
Dr. Geoffrey Lafond added that the procedures include that of fibroid removal, hysterectomy, and removal of ovarian cysts and treatment of endometriosis – which if left untreated could result in infertility. Minister Inniss noted that while the procedure is currently available in the private healthcare facility of Bayview Hospital, his Ministry has just spent $275 000 on a laparoscopic suite with hopes that doctors such as Bennett, Lafond and others equally trained will be able to give of their services in the public sector as well.