Talks between top representatives of Health City Cayman – a success story – and Anguilla Government officials have brought the proposed modern Medical Complex in Anguilla closer to the drawing board.
Dr. Chandy Abraham, Health City Cayman’s CEO and Head of Medical Services; and Mr. Ryan Smith, the Architect, Designer and Engineer; were in Anguilla this week for the second round of discussions. “We are tapping into the resources and experience they had in establishing modern-day medical facilities in the smaller Caribbean islands including the British Overseas Territories,” Anguilla’s Minister of Social Development and Health, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, explained. “The delegation met with Executive Council and made their presentation with respect to areas we can collaborate on, and of assistance to us. We expect to do quite a bit of fine-tuning and will be coming up with a Memorandum of Understanding so that Ryan and his team of engineers can start putting together the conceptual plans and drawings.”
The Minister went on: “I have had the opportunity to show him a few possible areas in Anguilla for the Medical Complex – one of which we may very well decide on – so that he will be able to have a visual image of what we are talking about and come up with the plans. We will have to go through the details in terms of the number of beds we will want, the scope of services we will want including our labs, radiology, maternity wards and so on. I would say that the number of beds should be somewhere between 60 and 70 but that is yet to be decided. We have also been looking at the road network for the proposed site and for the other utilities such as electricity [and water]. Our aim is to come up with a tangible plan and concept, and your humble servant has taken on that role.”
Mr. Rogers further stated: “I think it is essential that we have a modern-day Medical Complex. Our people deserve to have such a facility that would be compatible with some of our island-wide projects. In the hospitality industry we are known for our high-end hotels – and we should be known for our high-end health services as well.”
But for all of this, the big question is the money to finance the Medical Complex – a matter which the Minister is already working towards. “I am forging ahead in terms of raising this money with or without the British Government,” he stressed. “As I have said already, we [the Anguilla Government] are putting together a 501 C3 Facility, which is a tax return and rebate facility in the United States, whereby some of our very wealthy visitors would be able to contribute and claim it back on their taxes. Let me take this opportunity to thank Aubrey Rogers, an Anguillian Attorney, from The Valley, who lives in New York. He has been working there for a lot of years and has experience in establishing 501 C3 facilities. We have started the process and he has already helped us with the Anguilla Healthcare Partners Incorporated in the United States. We are now moving on to the next step – a Board of Directors so that we can be registered in the United States with the Federal Government to get this process moving. I have already contacted a number of people to that end. I also intend to have Anguilla Healthcare Partners Incorporated in the UK where there is a slightly different structure. Mrs. Blondel Cluff [Anguilla’s UK/EU Representative in London and an Attorney] is helping us with that. I am also looking at the Canadian model, as well, towards achieving an overall Anguilla Healthcare Partners Inc. International [body].”
Mr. Smith, Health City Cayman’s representative, who was with Mr. Rogers, commented: “Healthcare is an issue for all people in all places and we are glad to offer our consulting services in any way we can. With the lessons we learnt in building in Cayman, a small and expensive island, and our building in the United States, at very low cost, we can share that knowledge with the Government of Anguilla and other islands as well. Our aim is to be a partner providing the knowledge we have in both primary and tertiary healthcare.”
Asked what impressions he formed about the proposed modern Medical Complex in his interactions with the people of Anguilla, he commented: “They want to get this done as it is something that the island needs. You have very good infrastructure already in many parts of the island in terms of electricity and water. Your tourism marketing is very well, but the healthcare system obviously needs to be upgraded and I have taken note of the Government’s and Minister Rogers’ drive. What it takes, is for people to drive it home.”
