BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement was recently signed between the American Hospital Management Company (AHMC) and the Royal St. Kitts Beach Resort Limited (RSKBRL) for the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital in St. Kitts.
According to an American Hospital Management Company’s press release, dated March 3, 2011and published by PRNewswire, the proposed name of the new medical institution is The St. Kitts American University Hospital.
The release further states that the MOU was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas on Friday, February 18, 2011 at the Marriott Resort for the new 30 000 square-foot healthcare facility, which would be located within the St. Kitts Marriott Resort Complex.
The hospital, which is scheduled to open its doors in 2013, will be an 18-bed facility offering the latest in diagnostic equipment, including a CT, MRI and modern cardiac equipment. It will also incorporate a medical school to complement and work in conjunction with the medical facility.
“In this regard, the joint venture is in the process of applying for a license for a medical school, thus turning this facility into a ‘teaching hospital’, one of the few in the entire Caribbean,” the release added.
The release quoted Dr. Douglas as saying, “This is an excellent example of how partnerships of experienced entities can take shape and result in a successful venture. This new venture will attract patients seeking a quality medical tourism destination such as St. Kitts while also finding an effective way of increasing access to state of the art diagnostic equipment for the local population.”
It also noted that the President and Managing Director of AHMC, Randall D. Arlett claimed that St. Kitts would benefit economically and socially from the venture.
“We are pleased to join RSKBRL in the future construction and operation of this new hospital. St. Kitts will benefit economically and socially from the new state of the art medical facility, which will offer international quality care and safety standards.”
In his explanation for the construction of the state-of-the-art medical facility, Vic de Zen, founder of the RSKBRL, said, “The St. Kitts American University Hospital is being developed as part of the overall continuing development of the Marriott St. Kitts Beach Resort complex.
“This project is the result of an in-depth study on Medical Tourism. Our experience has shown us that St. Kitts has the political, economic, legal and social environment conducive for a project of this nature and have no doubt, that together with our partners and the people of St. Kitts, we will contribute not only to the economy of St. Kitts, but also to the overall wellness of the local communities.”
SKNVibes contacted the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Health, Elvis Newton, who said he did not have details on the joint venture and therefore could not offer a comment.
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