The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

DOCTORS Hospital is about three to three and a half years away from diversifying its business mix into a 50/50 split between its current core and medical tourism, its president telling Tribune Business that the BISX-listed healthcare provider’s Bahamas Medical Centre was moving closer to breaking even.

Barry Rassin, President of Doctors Hospital Health System told Tribune Business: “Were doing the branding well, we’re getting the word out there and we’re getting a lot of inquiries. We estimate that by June we’ll really see it kick in. We’re still working with the government to get some of the licenses in place for the international doctors to come here to do surgeries so there still are a few things pending. The goal was for 50 per cent ratio between local and non-Bahamian patients but that probably is three to three and a half years away. We’re already at 17 per cent.”

Last October, after a $1.8 million investment, Doctor’s Hospital reopened the former Western Medical Plaza which had been closed for nine years due to a downturn in the economy. Re-opening under a new name – Bahamas Medical Centre – full service hospital provides an emergency care unit to service the expanded population that now lives and works in western New Providence. The Blake Road facility also houses the International Patient Programme. According to Mr Rassin, 28 persons are currently employed at the Bahamas Medical Centre.

Doctors Hospital executives recently hosted several medical tourism facilitators who toured both the Doctors Hospital and Bahamas Medical Centre. “They were very positive about the experience. Things are going good. We are growing. We are slowly increasing the amount of surgery which is one of the key aspects. Certainly the emergency room stays relatively busy. Bahamas Medical Centre has grown substantially. Revenue now covers about half our expenses so we are getting closer to break even. Salaries are covered by revenues so we are going in the right direction,” said Mr Rassin.

Mr Rassin added: “We are working on the fitness centre which is the last to open. That’s now open and we have physical therapy and things like that going. The last piece of that puzzle will be a wellness programme for corporate Bahamas and we are starting to meet with companies to spread the word that we can provide a wellness and health assessment for employees so that companies have a better feel for the health status of their employees. We have the software in place, we have the training and the last piece of that puzzle is the nutritionist. We need to finalise that hire so that’s two to four weeks away.”