2010-08-25
MEDSERV: Air ambulance service for Jamaica
MEDSERV Jamaica Limited recently launched its air ambulance service for the island, operating under the brand Jamaica Med, with junior industry Minister Michael Stern saying that the new service will allow access to affordable air ambulance service to just about anyone.
"The advent of this exciting new company will usher in an era of affordable access to high quality air ambulance services, which will serve to significantly enhance the quality of life for the average Jamaican citizen by putting emergency 'off-island' health-care within their reach," the Minister said in his presentation at the launch of the service held at the Tinson Pen Aerodrome in Kingston, Thursday.
According to the junior Minister, the service will be affordable to all Jamaicans through the PatientFirst Jamaica membership programme.
"Jamaicans can access flexible plans that provide dedicated medical airplane transport to an appropriate health-care facility overseas in the event that the required medical care is not available on the island," he said.
The Minister added that services would be provided at substantially discounted rates based on the business links of the investment partners MedicaView International and Emergency Medical Services International.
Sancia Bennett Templer, president of JAMPRO/Jamaica Trade and Invest, which has worked closely with the principals since 2009 said, access to the service will require a small monthly fee which can be paid through various institutions, including credit unions.
"It will be similar to an insurance policy, where persons pay a small amount and gain access to the service," Templer explained.
The Minister meanwhile, pointed to other benefits that Jamaica stood to gain from the investment.
"There exists a much bigger picture emanating from this investment that points to greater economic opportunities for Jamaica," he said. "MedicaView brings to Jamaica a wealth of experience in establishing destination health-care centres that could leverage Jamaica's central location, its current and improving health-care system and its outstanding hospitality industry to position Jamaica as a health tourist destination," he said.