The Minister of Health Agriculture and Human Services the Hon. Edwin A. Astwood accompanied by his Executive Administrator, Mrs. Darlene Clerveaux-Forbes, attended the Word Health Care Congress (WHCC 2017) at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park during the period April 30 – May 1, 2017 in Washington DC.
The 14th Annual World Health Care Congress convenes decision makers from all sectors of health care to catalyze meaningful partnerships and change. The faculty focuses on policy and market forces impacting the Health Care business environment including consolidation, consumer empowerment, digital health, and the ongoing shift to value-based payment.
During the two-day educational focus event, Hon. Astwood met with a number of Health Care Leaders and Medical Directors, Representatives from Health Agencies, such as; the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, National Council for Behavioral Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American Hospital Association. He also met with Insurance companies and Benefits Consultants, representatives of Health Care Companies and Medical Groups, Ministers from the UK Overseas territories; Hon. Ronnie Skelton, Minister for Health & Social Development, BVI and Hon. Evans Rogers, Minister of Health & Social Development, Anguilla, were also in attendance. Other Senior-level Executives from all segments of the Health Care and Life Sciences Industries attended and exchanged ideas, held discussions on market trends, and explore possible solutions to the most pressing challenges facing patients, the medical traveler and care givers in the various health care sectors.
Hon. Astwood attendance focused mainly on Medical Travel and all related. These workshops and panel discussions were hosted by the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ), which allow participants to discuss and garner greater knowledge on the Domestic Medical Travel Opportunity, thereby fostering strong relationship between the US based, the Caribbean, and the Latin American based health providers and customers. Through this medium, Hon. Astwood was able to identify opportunities to promote the TCI and raise interest in the destination for Health Care/ Medical Tourism.
Among the information presented in the workshops and forums, were discussions on areas of opportunity for Quality Medical Care, Vetting the Realities of Health Care Travel, Maximizing the International Patient Journey, Healthcare Choices, Health Brand, Determining Health care Value, Formation and the role that brand play in Medical tourism, How Patient experience drives the Global Brand, Medical Travel Markets, Medical Travel Facilitator and Facilitator Liability, Who Travels for Care, Emerging Trends in Medical Travel, the Patient Experience and other issues and challenges faced in the medical tourism. Information on how consumers use facts and data to choose their providers was provided focusing on focusing on Communication and the international patient journey.
Hon. Astwood also attended a Dinner and Panel discussion hosted by Health City Cayman where he talked on the Turks & Caicos Medical Travel experience, and participated on the discussion on the key concepts, opportunities, and Barriers in Medical Travel.
Hon Astwood commented; “The workshop was very informative and provides a clear and better understanding of medical tourism.”
He stated that; “I’ve learned that the Medical travel markets is built on “Choice” and requires much collaboration amongst stakeholders. In addition, the patient experience and value (that is the relationship of Quality to Cost) is a major determinant for customer choice. The key to developing a successful Medial Tourism Program is High quality, liability and aftercare, all focusing on an enhanced Patient experience, and the Turks & Caicos should find a niche health care market and focus on the delivery of excellence in Patient Care, Patient Experience, and Patient Satisfaction.”
