CIG signs deal for hospital
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Government has now signed an agreement with the world famous cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty (left) to facilitate the development of the much talked about major medical complex on Grand Cayman. The project got the official government go-ahead and the investor’s commitment at a media conference on Wednesday morning (7 April) when the celebrated doctor and the premier signed the deal and revealed more details of what is being heralded as the beginning of the Cayman Islands third economic pillar — medical tourism. Dr Shetty will be investing billions of dollars over the next decade to create a state-of-the-art health city and medical university set to revolutionize the provisions of tertiary health care.
Dr Shetty has already turned the health industry on its head in his native India by being able to provide state-of-the-art health care and major surgery for a fraction of the cost in the developed world at his health city, Narayana Hrudayalaya Group, in Bangalore. Dr Shetty’s next move is to build the Cayman Narayana Health University that will provide world class medical and health facilities to the North American medical tourism market at more than 50% less than is available in the United States.
Dr Shetty told the local media that health care was big business, which is why it dominated elections in the UK and occupied a significant part of the American political stage. He said that worldwide the industry was worth around $4.5 trillion, with some $ 2.5 trillion of that being spent in the United States alone.Given the major changes predicted in the US as a result of health care reform, Dr Shetty said the waiting lists would drive up the already growing demand in the medical tourism market and Cayman was well placed to deliver those services. (Photo of signing by Dennie Warren Jr)
“A lot of countries understand the potential of medical tourism,” the doctor said, adding that he had been offered a lot of incentives by other countries. “But we have picked the Cayman Islands.”
He explained that Cayman was not only geographically well located and politically stable but was also a great place for people to live and work, which would mean he could attract the best medical talent in the world to the new facility. He said that when the news was revealed in the Wall Street Journal recently that he was considering the Cayman islands, he received more than 600 applications from doctors in the US wanting to be a part of the new project.
The project is set to be rolled out over several years, and while the goal is eventually to have a 2000 plus bed health complex on some 500 acres, the first phase will be the development of a 200 bed university hospital.
Although a number of locations have been examined, the exact home for what is likely to be Cayman’s biggest ever development has not yet been settled. With the agreement now signed, however, once a suitable site is worked out Dr Shetty and his investor partners hope to break ground in January 2011 and to have phase one open for business in 2012. The doctor noted that the location itself was not a major issue as patients would be coming to it from the airport, but he said that during the few days he had been in Cayman with his local partners he had seen some wonderful potential locations.
Once the first phase was completed, Dr Shetty said the people of Cayman would then have a world class health care facility in their own country, meaning they would no longer have to go overseas for tertiary and serious medical care, leaving their loved ones behind — something that Dr Shetty predicted would happen more and more as life expectancy increases. Moreover, that health care would be affordable.
Given the misconceptions about how the model works, Dr Shetty explained it was not about cutting corners or standards but that the American prices were unrealistic and medical attention did not need to be so expensive.
“The perception of cost is distorted by the cost of health care in America, which is unrealistic,” the cardiac expert said. He explained that the surgeons in his hospital in Bangalore have done more heart operations by the time they are in their thirties than many surgeons in the US do in their entire careers. He said the hospital in India was not only equal to those in the US, the standards were even higher with better outcomes — not least because of the wealth of experience his doctors gain by conducting so many procedures. The output, he said, was the key to keeping costs low.
Once the facility was built in Cayman, it would also provide a state-of-the-art medical university to train local medical professionals here that would eventually staff the facility and become the surgeons of tomorrow, he said.
Dr Shetty revealed that, in the first instance, the medical complex would be employing around 600 people, of which at least 160 would be Caymanian, but the goal eventually would be to have all local staff. His dream, he said, was that if he should ever need a heart by-pass it would be performed by a Caymanian doctor trained at the facility.
According to research commissioned by the investors involved in the project, Cayman’s existing infrastructure will not be inundated or overloaded by the project as it will be gradually developed in phases to reach the ultimate goal of the 2000 plus bed health city, giving the jurisdiction time to develop at pace.
Premier McKeeva Bush revealed that Dr Shetty and the investors had been given some work permit concessions and duty concession on medical equipment but not on the construction of the hospital. The concessions were important, he said, given the major investment being made.
Bush said the hospital would be a significant boost to the local economy in many ways. From the construction of the project in the short term, to the long term development of medical tourism as a third pillar in the local economy, the premier said the project was an extremely positive move. He urged the community not to focus on the negatives that he was sure people would come up with but to see this as a great chance for Cayman, and compared the start of medical tourism today to that of the financial services in the 1960s.
Category: Headline News
I wonder Mr. Bush when you signed on that dotted line for that Massive Hospital agreement, did it included an EIA study? or you just saw the $$$$$ signs. I also would like to know what the waived concessions value will be. This Dr. Shetty is a Billionair and yes a successful business man in his country, but should concessions be given to him at a time when our Islands are broke? He should be made to pay those fees like every average investor and Caymanian. I also wonder how many of these Hospital workers from Dr. Shetty’s Country will automatically be granted status and be called Caymanians? and are these the Caymanians that will be working at this hospital, as per the presentation? We the people of these Islands who has voted you in to Government, have many questions Mr. Bush? YOU need to start providing the details and evidence or we the people will NOT stand by and allow you to completely ruin these Islands and turn our lifestyle into a 3rd World rated status. XXXXX What benefit is this going to be for us the Caymanian people? Do you really think the Lobbyist in the USA will stand by and let us steal their patients? Remember Canada with the Pharmaceuticals? Lastly, Mr. Bush Look around and tell us how many Caymanians are being employed today at the Ritz Carlton…eh? Look around and count them. Have you not learnt your lessons yet?
At which point do we let the elected official do their Job ?
How else can an elected official woe investors other than offering concessions ?
When else can you get a great deal..other than when an entity is broke ?
I’m not sure what the term "average investor" means. But I know investors are always looking for the best deal.
We have a Dr. Tomlinson who is very successful by local terms..maybe even more than just local terms. But he never competed at the Dr. Shetty level. I’m sure he will have to find his "opportunity" when this Medical tourism that Dr Shetty and his group create come to be.
Speaking of his group. I’m sure the caymanian partners will become even richer individuals.
Where is the faith in our own people ? Have we not been fighting to get a seat at the table ever since there was a table ?
Our life style like most others countries in recent years were based on a bubble. We sold and borrowed to get to this point.
I respectfully disagree with the notion that the Government has any thing but the best interest of the country.
We manage what we have, but growth has always come with the same price..and that is change.
The promise is a new industry, what else can the government do than create an enviroment for it’s citizen to make a living.. to survive.
What else are they(Gov) going to do..The old acts are tired and all the locals who were going to succeed have already succeeded.
We have been tearing up this enviroment since my ancestors came off the boat on day one.
All of a sudden the best self regualated industry for environmental waste is going to take "Trashmore" to new hights ? (they need to function in a healthy environment)
The benefits of this undertaking are the same benefits we currently have within the existing industries. If we work hard apply ourselves we might get a seat at the table or an opportunity to work in the kitchen.
As for the US not standing by and letting this happen..I think they would put up less fight than the nay sayer here..and they have some thing to lose.
"Change"
"Developing an aggressive plan to identify and attract new industry to diversify the economy." This is one of the UDP Government’s main points ontheir manifesto, I have to take my hat off to them for exploring the idea of Medical Tourism as being the third leg of our economy.
This all sounds good and very welcoming, and trust me, I would be the first to hope it succeeds, but their is still alot to be considered!!!
Can we in Cayman afford to have just one person/company for Medical Tourism, controlling the entire market? We would be better served spreading our risk for this new industry to ensure fair competition and good business practices, if this 200 bed hospital, is just another good hospital and doesn’t produce excellent results, no one will be coming to Cayman for tertiary care.
I would suggest the government form a working group immediately and do a risk analysis survey for this new Industry, this is a critical issue and should be handled with a more sensible approach.
There has to be diversity to the equation, no entity can have a "choke hold" on one sector, a good example of this is DART, who has the real estate sector locked.
This concept signing now and working out details later can be very dangerous, this thinking doesn’t apply in the Tourism Sector or the Financial Sector, there are many stackholders in these two industry, and their usually consulted before deals are signed.
Good forbid that Dr. Shetty model doesn’t fail here in Cayman and then 1/3 of our economy would be held hostage.
It not all about the D$L$A$R$ BILL$ and big buildings, it about proper planning and protection of Caymanian Interest. We can not sacrifice our Long Term future for some short term gains.
P.S. still waiting forthem to identify the location??? Now that Dr. Shetty has left, they will all become tongue-tied.
The country needs additional revenue streams. There is no way around that unless your are willing to do without all that most of us consider staples.
Cayman Protector’s message is clear but I humble ask what is the alternative ?
Every foreign business entity "up and running" here had to be encouraged to do business (even if they were getting into an established industry) , they were aware of the risk but they made a commitment.
Every local who has the expertise has enjoyed the success and failure that comes a long with doing business but the first step..is that risk component.
So here is how I see the trade off in exchange for the "unknown" the country gets an opportunity to be part of an emerging industry, one that actually rewards individuals for their talent.
Will it succeed ?…they are putting up a Billion dollars (so they say) I’d say that the risk component.
This hospital may turn out to be just another industry that we have to fight to be a part of..but lately I find myself trying to pay the bills and less preoccupied with what others have that I don’t … That is my current Caymanian Interest.
There will be drawbacks to the new hospital. Many were cited and few no one thought of will surely come up. When C& W and CUC were first starting up there were some growing pains..(still some). And not many caymanians had the skills to the work that was required, but many applied themselves to learning the skills and many were given the opportunity to learn new skills…… some thing that would never have happen..had those 2 entities not been allowed to open their doors.
As it was then, as it is now.. The best that this country produces will be successful….The hospital is another opportunity for caymanians to be successful and learn new skills.
Let’s apply ourselves to the challenge and take advantage of alll the new opportunities…who knows in a few years the top guy…or girl (a father can dream) at the hospital could be be a caymanian….no will be a caymanian.
"medical waste !"….lol
Medical Waste, LOL? What a XXXX idiot you are! Do you think Mark Scotland is contemplating the risks of infectious diseases? By all means; let’s deposit the waste at the base of Mt. Trashmore.
Medical waste as in issue surrounding the new hospital is laughable. Who would risk a billion dollar industry on not properly handling medical waste…
As I indicated before…there will be a learning curve…but we can depend on the hospital Investors to protect their investment…as well as the abilities and intentions of our fellow country men.
The government entity committed to the health ofthe environment will step up to the challenge.
This place only works for foreign investors when it is a safe and healthy place to be…
Sounds like the environment I want to live in and leave to my heirs.
Well written and said young Caymanian Med Student. These are the same concerns that Caymanians who care less about the $$$$$, more about the environment and the future about these islands have and would like to see addressed by the government and developers. Yet agian we are met with Silence. What about 50 years from today??
What about the medical waste that will affect the environment on a 2,000 bed hospital – needles, body parts, internal organs – possible carriers of HIV, Hepatitis and other diseases?
Has the government really thought this through? We are too small of an island to accommodate a 2,000 bed hospital.
Why couldn’t we just target the luxury medical tourism market instead because that would make more sense since the people who have money can afford to come here and stay whilst their loved ones are recuperating.
As a young Caymanian currently studying to be a doctor, I should be thrilled at the seal of the deal for the 200-2000 bed medicaltourism hospital. IT IS NOT SO! Quoted:“The potential financial benefits are immense.” While this may be partly true, it’s at the expense of our environment. We all want our kids to appreciate Cayman the way we did/are. And whilst we can trap recovering patients to boost our economy, nothing about the plan appeals as sustainable to our environment. IT DOESNT EVEN MENTION THE ENVIRONMENT!! 500 acres?? Really?? How can a deal be sealed without revealing the location of this mass of land? Dodgy perhaps? Whilst patients have the benefits to recuperate in a relaxing and beautiful environment at half the expense, why is there no mention of the expense to our environment. Economy over sustainability seems to be the answer to every development decisions employed in Cayman. Why? Shouldn’t we be all we can to ensure that our islands will remain as beautiful and ‘untouched’ in subsequent generations so that tourists will still be inclined to visit?
Medical tourism has long since, as far as I have ever known solely been associated with developing countries: India, Thailand, Egypt,Cuba etc. which will offer both cheap medical treatments and recovery over extended periods of time. The patients in Cayman will realistically be accommodated by a number of family members of friends to facilitate recovery, which necessarily drives up the price of the medical vacation. Flights, prices of Cayman Hotels, living expenses are by NO MEANS CHEAP in Cayman like other locations of medical tourism. Whilst the prospect of the medical tourism will boost our economy, will it not defeat the purpose of the patients seeking cheap medical procedures, when they must consider the cost of recovering in one of the Caribbean’s most affluent and expensive countries?
Maximum of 2000 beds?? Are we really considering the size of this! George Town is 125 beds. So just picture the magnitude!?! Yes, a teaching hospital will undeniably offer opportunity not currently available to young Caymanians. However, we already have a St. Mathew’s University with what, TWO CAYMANIAN STUDENTS ENROLLED? Are we realistically expecting a new teaching hospital to spring up and demand for Caymanians to seek positions to immediately appear? With our population of around 45,000, how many top notch surgeons and doctors are we expecting to result??? Realistically, it doesn’t seem likely for doctors, surgeons and nurses to fill majority of the proposed 160 Cayman employee positions, it will be expatriates, although I do wish that I am wrong. I have yet to converse with a young caymanian medic in support of the Medical tourism hospital. And the remaining of the 800 employees will be what? Qualified expatriate surgeons, doctors, nurses which bring a HIGH STANDARD OF HEALTHCARE..YES!..but will bring families, occupy homes, schools, supermarkets, roads. Are we prepared to build more schools, houses, supermarkets, traffic congestion control, parking? Is this sustainable and can our island accommodate this? A 2000 bed hospital is double the size of the Edinburgh Royal infirmary catering to Scotland’s largest population!! We can’t bypass the size and capacity of our island and social infrastructure. While potential success is there, as cliche as it sounds, we must make sure that all plans to go forward are preserving our environment, our people and the future of islands.
Concerned young Caymanian Med Student -University of Edinburgh
If we had to guess where the hospital will be built, our money would be on the old Holiday Inn property, next to land that is owned by Dart, on Seven Mile Beach.
This would be ideal as the building has been built therefore no duty free material needs to be brought in. Or maybe they will bring in more material and equipment duty free allowing them to have a multi billion dollar property for half the cost.
What a pity that the average Caymanian trying to start a business doesn’t get the same perks.
There is no way that the hospitals and medical centres can compete.
It is obviously not going to be buit on prime land in a high traffic area where nothing approaching 500 acres required is available. Think North Side/East End.
Poster 1:00 What relevance is there to being a British Territory? Does that mean we can go back and take a nap because we are an OT while other countries are working hard to diversify and grow there economy? I’m glad your not in charge!
"There" and "their"/"your" and "you’re" – literacy is a big hurdle for the Cayman economy.
Bringing new money into the economy can be a good thing and I sincerely hope that this project is good for Cayman. However our decisions should be made on careful consideration not just somebody’s whim.
I am a little concerned that the press releases coming out in Cayman and in India seem to tell very different stories. What is being announced in India is not a 200 bed hospital and a slow development of other facilities. It is an almost immediate 2000 bed facility including retirement properties made possible by large concessions from the Cayman government.
A 2000 bed medical facility, coming into existence over the next 24 months (according to reports of the news release put out by Dr. Shetty’s organisation in India), staffed by 6,000 imported workers many of whom will also be bringing their dependents, will have an enormous social, environmental and infrastructure impact on these Islands. So far nothing published by the government suggests that they have actually thought any of this through. I hope that I am wrong but I am one Caymanian that thinks that we need to consider the long term impact as well as the short term stimulus to the construction sector.
Folks! Please take a minute to do a bit of reaserach before commenting on this or any other topic on CNS. This will prevent posters from sounding uninformed and completely clueless. If you take the time out to do 10min of reasearch you will realize all of the major Caribbean destinations that are know for tourism have made a push in a major way towards Medical Tourisim; Freeport Bahamas, St.Lucia, Aruba, St. Marteen, Barbados, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Antigua. Not counting South and Central American countries like, Panama, Cost Rica, Venezuela, Mexico and others. In addition governments of those countries are providing vast incentives in the form of reduce tariffs on imported medical equipment, reduced land taxes, and assisted housing for long term patient care.
If all we have to do is give some duty concessions and eliminate government red tape to make this project happen we should consider our selves fortunate.
Cayman, stop trying to find fault in everything
In all the countries that you have mentioned that are pushing for medical tourism please tell me which one is a British Territory with a similar population size and which has zero unemployment like Cayman.
Until you have done your research and the proper comparison, refrain from preaching to the choir.
Cayman really has ZERO unemployment? Where do u get your data?
"…has zero unemployment like Cayman".
Last I heard we had over 1000 unemployed.
What does being a British Teritory have to do with this other than an incentive to investors? Zero unemployment in Cayman? Maybe you need to do some local research.
To all you backwardists out there. When someone you know has a job and/ or is saved because of this new facility – I hope you have the decency to thank Mr. Bush. You see, he may have his faults (only the PPM don’t have faults) but he strikes deals that pushes Cayman forward. In a time when we are under global financial attack, what does he do? He changes direction, while protecting what he can of the financial industry. What is the OECD going to say now – it is unethical and unfair to help ailing people? Good move Mac. Thank you for moving us forward. All xenophobes go ahead and give me a thumbs down.
You hit the nail on the head, friend. Those who would pour cold water on this proposal must surely all have jobs. How could this not be a step in the right direction for our country? You thumbs-downers, please consider others who are less fortunate than yourselves, and who need work. Thank you.
You could get work if you really wanted a job….but the salary may be $2.50 per hour. So my friend, work is available to all but are you willing to work under the conditions that some expats have to endure?
Why is it that some people (particularly supporters of a certain political party) do not understand that merely because someone probes, ask questions, looks at potential downsides (and does not unthinkingly agree with everything) does not mean that you are their mortal enemy, or evil?
What else did people expect when they voted for McKeeva
What I don’t understand is How are we going to accomodate these Medical tourism. Will these be the rich guys with their many jets and yatch? Then how will our airport accomodate them. Is this why Mckeeva wants to build an airport and dock in East End/Frank Sound? Is this where the land for this hospital will be located? Then if that’s the case, what will happen to the Go East Inititative? The site for this hospital will probably destroy a lot of Cayman internal natural habitat and nature life. Will there be no un developed land left in these Islands for us Caymanians. The transquility of the eastern district will be destroyed when this hugh cement structure replaces the greenery of these Islands, all for the love of money. Perhaps Mr. Shetty could buy the Hyatt Hotel site and use that for his hospital, instead of destroying more trees. I am not a complainer, I am just a concerned Caymanian about my Islands. This hospital will not benefit the Caymans as much as Mckeeva and Dr. Shetty will have most of you believe. Remember the Ritz Carlton? How much is that monstrous hotel helping us? How many Caymanians are employed there? Mr. Shetty thinks its cheap to operate here, but he is dead wrong, we are just as bad as the UK. The prices too will not be as cheap as he would like you to believe. Its a wait an see situation. There will have to be new roads built to accomodate and a lot of other logistics will have to be worked out, at the expense of the patients and the Cayman people.
Develop East End, get the mega yachts, build the oil refinery, airport and dock, right next to Dr. Shetty’s hospital that way all the rich people of the world will want to come here to live and conduct business, go to the hospital and retire.
Cayman will be even more attractive than Davos Switzerland, then we will have all the big players like P.Diddy, Paris Hilton, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, all the Hollywood "A" list, millionaires and Billionaires like Bill Gates and Ophra, Kings, Queens and other head of states. Yes, lets open up Cayman expecially East End and North Side, build it up yes! You go Big Mac, roll over them like a mac truck and take no prisioners. You go Mac do your thing. Cayman needs money and money people don’t let anyone stop you. You are the Premier the defender of the Cayman Islands. No one can stop you; know you have all the power and full control use it.
I hope you are being ironic, or you are a very sad case. No one could be that stupid.
The Hyatt idea isn’t actually a bad one.
However, isn’t lack of accomadation a good problem. When no one is using the airport, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, coffee shops, supermarkets, corners stores, etc… well, that’s a problem. I mean, no customers = no revenue = no business = no money in the economy to be spent = inflation = increased crime = ….
I’d rather be in a position where I’d have to turn people away than to be in a situation where I’m turning away because I can’t stay in business…
Think about it.
Has anyone on this website every heard of freedom of religion?
If not, then please look it up and leave this man alone. I don’t know what religion he prescribes to and don’t care – that is between he and God, its nobody elses business.
Along with all the hyperbole, another news publication gives a rather different explanation as to why Dr. Shetty chose the Cayman Islands. He is quoted as saying "in the next one or two decades, the CaymanIslands will be the only country in the world which will have great political stability, which will be important to safeguard over our interests." Wow! Do the other (presently) stable countries know this?
This is silly – don’t make ridiculous claims.
If Dr. Shetty really said this, please attach a link to the publication so we can see his exact words and context.
CNS: The commenter is quoting accurately from the Compass – see here. However, even if these were Dr Shetty’s exact words, I doubt that is exactly what he meant.
I am all for bringing money back into the economy but I stopped believing in free lunches a long time ago. Jobs for Caymanians in the short term also sounds great, but what are the long term consequences going to be? I hope that this is not another episode of Fire Ready Aim.
The local print media are reporting that the initial number of people coming on work permits will be 640 (rather than the 440 reported by CNS) with 160 Caymanians also being employed while the hospital is at its initial 200 bed capacity. The press release apparently put out by Narayana itself seems to indicate that the bed capacity will increase to 2000 within 18 months – which would mean at least another 6000 permits being required in a very short period. I wonder how many of those are going to get immediate rights of permanent residency as I am sure that the hospital will not want to be rolling over their staff every 2 years?
The Narayana press release given toIndian media also apparently indicates that a large part of what is being proposed is not a hospital in the traditional sense, but rather an "assisted living" development for wealthy Americans.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/narayana-hrudayalaya-signs-pactcayman-govt/90688/on
It would be nice if a lot more of the facts regarding something of this size would be made known to the people at an early stage. We don’t need any more social instability.
CNS Note: Dr Shetty said a number of things in this conference not all of which could be reported in one news article however he estimated that in the first instance around 600 people would be working at the hospital and it was anticipated that it would be at least 160 Caymanians. The doctor observed that the 600 would gradually increase to 800. In other words CNS did not report incorrectly as this poster attempted to imply.
Assisted living facility is great but I don’t see why it should only be for Americans. I’ve seen them in the US and they are very nice. It would be great to have one here for everyone. I would live in one when I’m older.
Possible sugestion: build it further east and diversify the island more. Include helipad or whatever and make medical attention more accessible for the entire island. I just think that to bottle it up in some corner in town complicates things. How many more lives could be helped/ saved if the ambulance didn’t have to travel as far from an accident in Bodden Town. Either way, Dr. keep it out of Smith Road/ Walkers Road area. If not further east, then at least more central that our current hospitals.
By the way, aint a bad idea. Na watch di badmind people and dey nonesense chat. Please do keep the people in the loop
Why doesn’t CNS have restrictions on badmind post… bunch of morons with negativity. This maybe worth the gamble. It is the Dr. building not gov’t, thank God for that. If it fails, what hurt is it to us. If he suceeds, how much more the benefits we’ll receive. Now hush wich cha foo foo ness.
Where will all the people who work there live? there is only so much room on a tiny island. I believe there is some sort of hidden agenda here….we will soon see.
I’ll bet part of the 500 acre development is an internal compound of apartments and condos for the majority of the staff. Otherwise wages would need to be quite high to cover the cost of renting locally.
The presentation sounds too good to be true!!!. Where will this hospital be built? Who’s land is being confiscated for this hospital? Really now?? Jobs for Caymanians? Which Caymanians, the new PAPER Caymanians? Where will the deceased bodies be buried? And there will be. We don’t have any cementary space left. This will change the whole makeup of Cayman. What religions will be introduced and become dominant? Will Christianity be taken out of our text books then too? Will we become a welfare state like India? The Americans will not be coming here, as there is a similiar project being built right at the Miami Airport to entice Medical tourism, so who will be the Medical Tourist coming here?? Our Infrastructure cannot acconmodate this hugh project and what will happen to Cayman’s own Private Hospital the CTMH? Will Dr. T and other Private Doctors, be cut out of their business for a few dollars more? McKeeva we have more questions than you are prepared to answer. Please provide us with answers, before you go an sign anything of this magnitude. The people of the Cayman Islands have a right to know these things first.
Where does one start responding to this post?
“land is being confiscated”, yes, I think I saw them drive by your house just now and pointing at your land.
“PAPER Caymanians” are employable? I would much rather they remain unemployed and rely on Social Services.
“deceased bodies be buried” this is a big problem worldwide, as most people want to be buried as far away from home as possible.
“religions become dominant”, much unlike the present situation where all religions are fairly represented.
“Christianity be taken out of our text books”, yes, I believe that is the mission statement of most hospitals around the world.
“Private Doctors, be cut out of their business for a few dollars more”, this is not a small private clinic, providing primary care.
So what does it take to please you..?
Yeah, you would rather sit around and complain why there are no jobs for Caymanians.
What is your idea to grow the economy?
Very small-minded!
Since the Cayman Islands will be the host in accommodating this Tourism Hospital and Medical University ;. How many billions of dollars is Dr. Shetti injecting into governments treasury to to pave the way and fund this massive expenditure to the extension of our infrastructure. It will be a massive one. As we are all aware we have no funds in our budget and therefore someone has to pay.Its not our project, its an opportunity afforded to a billionaire investor. This will be very taxing on us if we’re not careful. Mr.Premier we need you to present to the people of the Cayman Islands your proposed plan and governments projection on by how much in terms of dollars will such a massive undertaking cost, and projected increase of the annual expenditures to the Cayman Islands government and over the next five to ten years.
GIVE US YOUR FINANCIAL PROJECTION AND PLAN TO SUPPORT THE MASSIVE WEIGHT OF EXPENDITURE THAT WILL BE APPLIED TO OUR CURRENT SOCIAL, ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE. .
If the plan is properly presented in a way that has tangible proof where the people will benefit from this, there may not be too much opposition to be faced with.
are you people actually complaining about this now too ? Truly pathetic.
Oh, you’re right. Forgive people for asking questions.
Narayana Hospitals are already known for their quality health care in India. It is a step in right direction, having more choices is always helpful and global competition is very important in health care.
http://www.TourNCare.com
Online Medical Tourist Community
to all those complaining about this…shut up and be grateful that someone is looking out for Cayman because your badmindness helps no one!
Medical Tourism has been something that Cayman should have looked at years ago and I am in favor of it. I think it will provides a lot of opportunity for the people of the Cayman Islands.
However people must understand that with the benefits also come some sacrifices which we must determine if we are ready to make. This is just a reality.
One of those is the dilution of the “Christian” culture that Cayman claims as its own. The medical world today is diverse with doctors and other health care professionals coming from all walks of life with varied religious backgrounds. If you look at many Hospitals, even in the US, you will see a growing number of “non-Christian” professionals. If this new facility is to have the best we must accept that a large number of the people will be from a different religious background than our historic Cayman population.
The question that needs to be asked is: Are we as a people willing to accept the social change that will go with the economic gain we will realize from this project coming to fruition? Are the Cayman people willing to accept the possibility of a Hindu temple or Muslim mosque next to their churches?
I ask this question not as a nae-sayer. Rather to point out something that needs to be recognized and dealt with; not avoided.
A dialogue on this issue should be considered healthy and not political.
The "threat" is not to your churches or ability to attend the church of your choice. You will still be able to attend the church of your choice as often as you want.
So what if somebody comes here that worships differently? How does that really affect your day-to-day life or your eternal life, for that matter? I doubt seriously that it would.
They do not merely worship differntly. They worship different gods.
True diversity and religious freedom can only come when we embrace all the world religions, after all we have people from all over the world. So we will have no other option than to embrace all the major world religions such as Prehistoric Religion, Tribal Religions in Asia, Early Australasian Religions, Traditional African Religions, Aztecs and Mayas, Andean Religion, Northern Europe in the Iron Age, Mesopotamia, Acient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Ancient Iran, Hinduism, Janinism, Sikhism, Buddhism, China, Japan, Christianity, Islam. If you don’t remember we now have human rights.
Those that practice Hinduism have the same rights to build their temple, as does the Muslim his Mosque and the Christian his Church. We should not want only churches. I would be very offended if each practicing faith is not allowed to have place of worship and each nationality is not allowed to have their own school to pass on their own traditions.
"and each nationality is not allowed to have their own school to pass on their own traditions".
That is where we part company. That is nothing but segregationist nonsense which will harm the social fabric of these Islands. If that is the implication of this proposal then on that ground alone I would object.
As a Christian I question this supposed "christian culture" that we have. With so much bickering back and forth on nationalities (hate), crime, domestic violence, greed, corruption and the like, saying that a Christian culture prevails is an affront (insult) to Christ.
It seems to me that being on a basketball court no more makes me a basketball player than going to church makes me a Christian. It takes a commitment to the "game", practice and drills so that when tested, we can win. Being kind to others… you know the drill (beattitudes).
Ghandi once said, "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ". Let’s get real.
There is already a medical university (St. Matthew’s) that offers scholarships to Caymanians. I am wondering, is Dr. Shetty’s medical university going to be attempting to offer specialty training (internships/residencies)? Or will it just be competition for SMU?
I implore those who "thumbs down" the comment to attempt to answer the questions. Or is it because you don’t want to think about the answer that you just lazily click your mouse? I don’t care if it is competition for SMU, but I do want to know what exactly this university will provide – general medical education or specialty?
Well done, Premier Bush
It looks like you have done an excellent job of hooking a very large fish.
The next job will be getting it into the boat and keeping it there
You must ensure that Government refrains from any kind of micromanagement, interference with the free flow of personnel or products across Cayman boundaries, and restrictions on who they can or cannot hire.
Perhaps the East End area would the best place to construct this new facility.
That location would enable the completion of the arterial highway and re-vitalize East End
This could be the best development to hit Cayman in years, and it could not happen at a better time
Congratulations
…how many projects have hit the news and then a few months down the road all is quiet and forgotten. I hope it does happen, but the track record does not present a positive record.
This will be the next boasting platform for current government.
well said!
i wish someone in the media would actually publish an article on the amount of ideas and u-turns by the gov
I heard on the news that the government would be providing discounts on work permit fees and import duty on equipment. I do not see why they would feel obligated to do this especially at a time when we are so strapped for cash? Poor us, when we take a little shopping trip to Miami and bring back over $500 US worth of stuff they want to kill us with duty? (When the plane ticket alone might cost more than what they want us to spend)
A hospital with 2000 beds is definitely going to require well qualified staff (I would hope) and Dr. Shetty hopes to initially have roughly 150 Caymanians working there, yea right. That would be nice but, to me very unlikely. Ultimately I guess what we will hear is that no Caymanians have come forward or that they are not properly qualified. But on the other hand, I guess of those 3000+ status grants that were given out, I mean granted.. there should at least be 200 doctors / nurses, right? This will only cause another devastating influx on foreigners into our country, more cars on our streets, more of our homes being bought out and less space in our schools. Yes, money will be injected into the economy and hopefully tourists will come to Cayman (not sure of the costs) just to come to our / Dr. Shetty’s hospital.
At least the construction industry should be profiting and providingwork for ‘Caymanians’, like the schools did- even though you could count the number of Caymanians actually on those compounds (except for North Side)… Speaking of North Side, that’s the only place that I can think that this building will rest comfortably, but it won’t be easy for persons working up there, especially with the gas prices sneaking back up.
Anyway, let’s just hope that this deal is as transparent as Mr. Bush believes.
Well done Mac and everyone else involved! Now let’s give Dr Shetty and his team an old fashioned Caymanian welcome rather than the more modern ‘you’re here to go/ you came by plane I came by pain " nonsense that has been all too common in some quarters recently. We need the Shettys of this world; we also don’t want them insulted by our Deputy Premier because they’re of a different religious set of beliefs. Get her in line, Mac.
i’ll beleive it when i see it….. cayman cannot do low cost anything…. for a start the construction cost will be twice the us average….. hope i’m wrong…
The hospital shareholders must be CUC, Water Authority, Government and a local Construction company. Tourist come here all the time and leave saying Cayman is so expensive, this must be baffling them also.
I aint jumping on the bandwagon yet!
If the deal is already signed why is McKeeva being so secretive about the details of who is getting what out of it? Is public property being given away? Are any politicians and cronies are getting private contracts to go along with this?
If thousands of workers are being brought in to actually do the project the people should know. What are the details on the concessions?
If the things that they are refusing to talk about were good for Caymanians then they would not be refusing to talk about them.
What are the details? Only the details will show us whether this is just an attempt at short term political gain, (and possibly a few commissions), or a genuine chance to diversify the economy.
What immigration concessions were given? Normally when these concessions are made the government makes them public by publishing them in the Gazette for all to see. Why have they chosen to keep silent this time? Is ALL of the labour going to be imported? Is that why they have not made this public?
XXXXX
Why is there no transparency in this?
Can you not read man? He says 440 imported jobs and 160 Caymanian. Go back to school and learn basic literacy and you might be one of them.
Before being rude try moving outo of your one dimensional world to do a little more reading yourself. The Compass is reporting that the number of initial work permits is 640 not 440. If reports coming out of India are correct the number of permits is likely to be over 6000 within 18 months. Can you spell "social instability"?
This is helpful and welcome for Cayman’s image and product offering, but we should manage our expectations. One hospital will not be the magic bullet to save our finances (and the civil service). When it gets up and running (some time away), the expected economic impact should be similar to adding an additional large hotel. Significant for sure, but not a cure for what ails us. I do wish them best of luck with the project.
This is the best news for the Cayman Islands economy in a long time and I wish the project much success. Congrats to all involved in making sure that Dr. Shetty was welcomed here. I hope that all the nay-sayers will shut up now and give it a chance.
One local publisher said that the UDP government was not committed to the project and that the ministers only wanted to have back rubs when they traveled to India. However this shows that most likely the project will be realized much to the dismay of other skeptics.
great news finally we doing something to bring a change. thank you Dr shetty and the UDP
The problem is we, "true Caymanians", don’t want the following people to succeed in this country:
1) Foreigners.
2) MacKeeva.
3) Anyone who didn’t have at least one Grandfather born here.
4) Anyone who doesn’t work in Immigration.
5) Anyone who isn’t PPM. (You see what Mac calls progress really translates to "true Caymanians" getting less.
Speak for yourself.
A major step in the right direction. Congratulations to all for the fine efforts that were taken to see this project from a dream to the start of something (pardon pun)… concrete.
Marek
Finally, progress! Amazing things happen when you think outside of the box, well done on an agreement that holds promise for our future. Now my kids think about a career in medicine, instead of banking!!!
Fantastic news, by any measure!
Well, I guess this is what change is all about.
I am still very curious about the business plan though – for not many goods and serviceshave a track record of being cheaper in the Cayman Islands. I mean, do we still have a higher standard of living than the USA? Is our average salary still higher than that of the USA?
I am a bit confused here – the costs of medical treatment in the USA must be tremendously over-hyped, for the success of this venture depends solely on thissingle point!
Hmmm…or does it?
Mr. Premier, will the new jobs offer realistic salaries or will we simply continue with the mass importation of cheap labour into this country? I do believe that Caymanians should be informed as to the salary details of the prospective jobs – not an unreasonable demand as surely salary ranges were necessary to whip up a business plan – no?
A few observations:
– "Once the first phase was completed, Dr Shetty said the people of Cayman would then have a world class health care facility in their own country, meaning they would no longer have to go overseas for tertiary and serious medical care, leaving their loved ones behind…"
Say what? Excuse me, but is that not the actual objective (overseas medical tourism) of creating this project? Why is the selling point a perceived negative at the same time?
– "His dream, he said, was that if he should ever need a heart by-pass it would be performed by a Caymanian doctor trained at the facility…"
Come on now Doc … gimme a break huh?
Please don’t over-excite my fellow Caymanians with over-zealous pipe dreams of completely medically qualified families and offspring – we already made that mistake with the banking / legal industry. A successful heart surgeon is the combination of strong intellect, sound training and most importantly talent! India has over a billion people – Caymanians make it to 55,000 on our best day.
Apologies for coming across as a bit negative or skeptical – but our local history has taught me that this may be the best approach at times like these. In any event, I am simply just not sold on the feasibility of this particular project. Standing by for details.
I too am a bit sceptical Where are the 440 foreigners coming from? Will it be India and how will it affect the social infrastructure. I do recognize the chance of seeing some improved cricket and Indian food but what about schools and roads etc and just who will empty the bed pans? And will English be necessary?
Before we all get too excited the thought of a hospital with an eventual 2000 beds and some 4400 foreigners I find very disturbing as it will certainly increase the current racial disharmony.
If the 440 are in fact coming from India then our "social harmony" will most definitely be affected.
I say this because Indians are notoriously "clannish".
Calm down PC police – this is a fact.
One of my dearest friends, an Indian Sikh gentleman, and I discuss this reality all the time.
Where this has worked wonders for their community (strength in numbers) in regions such as Europe, UK and the USA – this mindset will undoubtebly result in a few hiccups in a tiny community such as Cayman.
Let us not ignore the color politics that exist in the Indian mainland as well! (The great North (fairer skinned) vs. South (darker skinned) Indian divide. Colorism is paramount to the point where its tenets are entrenched in their very (dominant) religion – Hinduism.
I am guaranteed a mass assault of thumbs downs for my comment, but at the end of the day all that I say is true. Sorry.
(Original poster.)
"His dream, he said, was that if he should ever need a heart by-pass it would be performed by a Caymanian doctor trained at the facility…"
Come on now Doc … gimme a break huh… A successful heart surgeon is the combination of strong intellect, sound training and most importantly talent! India has over a billion people – Caymanians make it to 55,000 on our best day".
Excuse me, are you saying that it is impossible for any Caymanian to have these qualities? A negative mindset is what holds many of our people back. The idea that only foreigners can be competent at anything intellectually demanding is false and insulting to Caymanians. You should be ashamed of your attitude if you are Caymanian. Presumably you have heard of Dr. Neely Panton, Clinical Professor, Head- Division of General Surgery, The University of British Columbia, Head- Division of General Surgery, Vancouver General Hospital, who has pioneered techniques in laparascopic surgery and served as President of the Surgical society of British Colombia.
You are most definitely excused.
My point was not in regards to the capabilities of Caymanians, and I do not have a "negative mindest" – I was simply trying to highlight the role of numbers / statistics when it comes to issues like these.
Do you honestly believe that I believe that no Caymanian possesses the potential to become a highly qualified doctor?
I just don´t want us to get carried away with unrealistic expectations of churning out an unnaturally high rate of top-notch surgeons from our tiny population.
I really did not get that Dr. Shetty was suggesting that the hospital would be only staffed with Caymanian doctors. I am glad to hear that we agree that there is potential for at least a few Caymanians to achieve those heights.
In reply to why here and not the USA for medical treatment. One thought is that the cost of medical liability insurance in the USA is massive. Afterall it would seem in the USA if something goes wrong the first thing people do is look for someone to blame and to make money out of. As evidence just look at the silly drug adverts on TV where they have to spell out every possible side effect.
If this cost can be brought under control here in the Cayman Islands then there would be a significant cost differnetial which would make this facility work.
Overall this is good news but there will be problems along the way so be prepared to work hard to make sure this facility is built and becomes the envy of the USA.
Yes, that is exactly right. Malpractice claims in Cayman will be capped as part of the deal – around $250,000 or some negotiated number.
U.S. malpractice claims/insurance is the major cause of why U.S. medical care is so expensive.
I think these concerns show the selfish side of Cayman. It is not all about me, me me.
Remember the success of this project does not hinge on how much success Cayman gets out of project, but how much success Dr. Shetty gets out of the project.
If Dr. Shetty feels the project is successful, he will support it (and by default Cayman) for the long term.
Support the man, support the project, and help him be successfull…and the benefits to Cayman will follow.
A warm Caymanian welcome to Dr. Shetty and his team for considering the Cayman Islands for such a project, this can only serve us well. Also, well done UDP Government for your vision and determination to get us through these tough economic times whilst creating a new industry for these islands.
Amazing that a comment like yours would draw negative remarks. I can only assume that the reference to the UDP must have done it. I guess it must be PPM readers who are just hoping that the economy stays in the toilet… which is where the PPM put it, until the next election.
Very welcome news! Thanks to ALL who are helping to make this a reality. This has the potential for many positive rewards for Cayman for many , many years.
Congratulations!
Excellent news! Well done to all involved!
Great! the ONE thing that McKeeva has done right…….and of course the idea comes from an Indian…they’re great 😉
Oh THANK GOD this is coming together!!!!
Congrats to our Premier on this excellent achievement. Our people need jobs and this will certainly help. Let’s see what those negative, closed-minded people who complain for the sake of complaining will say.
A great move for the Cayman Islands. Congrats to our Government for the foresight.
Good job Mac!
…now bring on the haters!
Not a hater, just tired of commenters who need to specify politicians/parties or politicise their comments.
Great idea for Cayman and Caymanians. Hope it does’nt fall through.
I am very proud that Cayman was selected for this project. Kudos to all involved in making it a possibility. The next step now is delivery.
Delivery is correct, "easy to utter, but hard to deliver" for Mr. Shetty to make a statement about 500 acres, and "seeing many site", he better know there not too many 500 acre plots of land in Cayman.
He may be misled in believing that he can just purchase a 500 acre plot of land? It’s not that simple!
I trust the UDP are not operating on the assuption that "compulsory purchases" of land will happen for this project to go through, I am very alarmed that no site has been purchased/selected before the signing of such a large project.
There was no public consultation or studies for this project, that is said to be the "next pillar" of the Caymanian Economy, this tells me that the government is still not sure or may have a few things up their sleeves in facilitating Dr. Shetty purchase of the required land!
Think seriously about it this my Caymanian friends, not everything that glitters is gold.
Ask more questions and get envolved this is our country?
I think we are lucky indeed. There willbe some challenges and we will have to give up something to get it but I feel in the end we will get a lot more than we give.
I think at the very least it should lower the cost of healthcare in the Islands and create business for our hotels, restaurants and other businesses.
My hats off to the Premier on this. Again I say we WILL face some challenges and we WILL have to find ways around them but the PROS outweight the CONS significantly. Sometimes they will be hard to see but they will be there.