Canadian & Caribbean Leaders Meet To Develop Caribbean Medical Tourism

With North American health costs rising, the governments of Canada and several Caribbean nations are exploring how Caribbean medical tourism can be a smart solution for providing access to high quality and affordable health care. Health costs in the Caribbean are about 50 to 80 percent less than in Canada and the U.S., medical experts say.

The Trade Facilitation Office Canada (TFO Canada) and the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) hosted a major international meeting, “Caribbean Health & Wellness Tourism” in Bridgetown, Barbados on April 1-2. Attracting

leaders from Canada and 10 Caribbean nations, the meeting explored ways that these countries can work together to develop Caribbean health and wellness services for use by North American consumers.

Barbados Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Richard Sealy, told the audience of about 100 people that his island nation needs to exploit the US$40 billion health and wellness industry. "It (health and wellness tourism) is growing at a much faster rate than global tourism - which is the fastest growing industry in the world - so we need to add the health tourism niche to our other tourism offerings," said Minister Sealy. Winnipeg-based Choice Medical Services, a leading medical tourism firm serving North American consumers, was one of the event’s main participants.

“In my talk, I explained what our international patients’ actual experiences have been as they received medical care in foreign countries,” said John Stinson, CEO of Choice. “For many of the Caribbean officials, it was the very first time that they heard what patients want as far as quality of care, capabilities and experience of medical professionals, and their travel needs.”

Stinson added, “The Caribbean is a wonderful and welcoming oasis for not only its professional healthcare and wellness services, but also its relaxing, tropical vacation options. I have been most impressed and believe that Choice will add at least one or two Caribbean treatment destinations for our patients to choose from by the end of the year. MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Pirages, Pirages Communications, 773-769-1616 or mpirages@piragescom.com