Medical Tourism In Jamaica

The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which accounts for nearly 80% of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Tourism plays a very important part of the economy and is considered one of our top foreign exchange earners. Foreign exchange is very important to our economy as it is needed to import goods and services that are critical to the day to day operations of the country for example oil.

In that vein, medical tourism can play a vital role in providing the much needed foreign exchange. A shortage of foreign exchange cause prices and inflation to rise and it will therefore cost much more to import the goods.

Jamaica depends heavily on tourism for a large quantity of foreign exchange. However, because of the increase competition

The writer went on to say the governance of medical tourism in Jamaica is led by a national government investment and promotion corporation (JAMPRO) and is grounded in the liberalization of the healthcare sector. The practice of medical tourism is pursued primarily as an economic system and not as a health system development project. A number of international aid organizations are also involved in the development of medical tourism in Jamaica. They are committing to the dedication of resources for economic development towards promoting medical tourism. Private out-of-pocket payments are what medical tourism is being financed by presently. However, the lack of local medical facilities with international accreditation, compounded by the significant financial costs to undergo the process of obtaining accreditations poses as barriers. The Jamaican health workers are viewed in high regard in many other countries. Hence this factor will cause persons to want to come here for medical care, this will therefore help to boost the economic

The economic benefits for the country in terms of job creation which will lead to further growth and development. In conducting this study the findings will provide insights into ways we can improve our health care facilities and service quality in an effort to build our market. More so tourist can benefit from top class health care service that is offered at an affordable price. Since people are being more health conscious and are wanting to find ways to live longer, it is understandable that they will try to find the best health care where ever they can to assist in that process. Hence this research may provide information that may guide the tourism minister as to how he could capitalize on