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Janet Silvera, Hospitality Jamaica Coordinator
Spanish group HOSPITEN will take over the operations of MoBay Hope Medical Centre (MHMC) next Monday, having purchased the facility recently.
MoBay Hope will remain at its current Half Moon Shopping Village address, until HOSPITEN constructs its own facilities along the elegant corridor.
"We will offer the most modern facility, both in surgical equipment, diagnostics and therapeutic technology, widening Jamaica's health tourism doors," HOSPITEN's President Dr Pedro Luis Cobiella had told The Gleaner a year ago.
The construction of the hospital has been in the works for more than three years, and, like the industry it is targeting, the project has been affected by the global financial crisis which delayed the start-up time for the multi-million dollar facility.
Ambulatory services
Nevertheless, Cobiella pointed out that they have been very proactive throughout the period.
"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," he said then.
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 advance reservations.
Initially, HOSPITEN had announced investment of US$25 million, with the total for the project in the region of US$50 million.
Initially, the facility will have 3D/4D ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan (computerised axial tomography), magnetic resonance, 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."
Already Dr Cobiella has lived up to his promise offering the current staff continued employment, the medical centre's administrator, Judy Farmer confirms.
"The approximately 65 employees received notice of termination of employment from the MoBay Hope board, and they later received letters of continued employment from Hospiten," said Farmer.
Mobay Hope Medical Centre
MHMC, a non-profit organisation, opened its doors in December 1997 as a response to the need for premium quality health care in western Jamaica. The goal at that time was to provide high quality, affordable and accessible emergency medical and diagnostic services in a primary-care setting for the citizens and visitors of the region.
janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com
Spanish group HOSPITEN will take over the operations of MoBay Hope Medical Centre (MHMC) next Monday, having purchased the facility recently.
MoBay Hope will remain at its current Half Moon Shopping Village address, until HOSPITEN constructs its own facilities along the elegant corridor.
"We will offer the most modern facility, both in surgical equipment, diagnostics and therapeutic technology, widening Jamaica's health tourism doors," HOSPITEN's President Dr Pedro Luis Cobiella had told The Gleaner a year ago.
The construction of the hospital has been in the works for more than three years, and, like the industry it is targeting, the project has been affected by the global financial crisis which delayed the start-up time for the multi-million dollar facility.
Ambulatory services
Nevertheless, Cobiella pointed out that they have been very proactive throughout the period.
"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," he said then.
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 advance reservations.
Initially, HOSPITEN had announced investment of US$25 million, with the total for the project in the region of US$50 million.
Initially, the facility will have 3D/4D ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan (computerised axial tomography), magnetic resonance, 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."
Already Dr Cobiella has lived up to his promise offering the current staff continued employment, the medical centre's administrator, Judy Farmer confirms.
"The approximately 65 employees received notice of termination of employment from the MoBay Hope board, and they later received letters of continued employment from Hospiten," said Farmer.
Mobay Hope Medical Centre
MHMC, a non-profit organisation, opened its doors in December 1997 as a response to the need for premium quality health care in western Jamaica. The goal at that time was to provide high quality, affordable and accessible emergency medical and diagnostic services in a primary-care setting for the citizens and visitors of the region.
janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com
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