Medical Care alternatives?

We have been visiting Jamaica since the late 80's and have no current plans to stop vacationing there. We have seen many changes over that time, both good and bad (like any other growing vacation destination). But one area that people keep asking me about is the situation regarding medical care, particularly serious injury or illness if you are in Negril. While I would not avoid Sav La Mar for minor things, it would not really suffice in a serious or emergency situation. For a long time I kept the phone number of MoBay Hope Medical (at the Half Moon Shop area in MoBay) because from talking to many I had come to believe it might be the best option. Now, I have been told that it is no longer in operation. With stories of people at resorts facing huge bills for minor things when a doctor is summoned to their resort for treatment I don't know what the best options are anymore. These questions are becoming more important for me, and others among the aging travel population. Negril would do well to meet this need sooner rather than later because I already know many people who don't travel to Jamaica on vacation anymore for fear of the poor options of medical care in the event of an emergency or serious illness.
Does anyone know if MoBay Hope is actually gone? Their reviews were getting really bad anyway.

Does anyone know the status of the private hospital project that seems to have stalled? http://negrilbeachbungalows.com/ For some reason this is the website for the project.

What are the best options available from Negril now, and what is the best way to get to them if you have an emergency?

Thanks for any help on this!

Hospital? Does Negril have a working ambulance? I thought it wrecked and was not replaced.

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Originally Posted by Papa Georgie

Hospital? Does Negril have a working ambulance? I thought it wrecked and was not replaced.

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I saw it with my own eyes up close earlier this month. Some guy broke his ankle pretty good and was being evacuated.

It looked professional and efficient to me.


Cap

Excellent question... Although we are in good health in our early 60's, this is now becoming a concern for us as well. You can buy all the travel insurance you want, but without ready and viable care facilities, Negril and Jamaica may one day (soon) fall off our travel options menu. I'll be watching this one closely.

I have some health issues and stay in a rural area of Jamaica for 3 - 6 months at a time so it is always on my mind as to what I would do if I needed emergency assistance like hospitalization.

Two years ago it happened. I was seriously ill and had a neighbor drive me to Black River Hospital. Although the buildings were run down and the facility overcrowded, I received the best quality care. I had 4 doctors. One Nigerian, one Cuban, one Jamaican and one Chinese. Each one seemed highly trained and conscientious in the approach to making me well again. I had to buy cooked food from the street to eat but had several ambulatory patients willing to go for it. Had to bring in my own clothes and sheets and pillows.

After 5 days, I discharged myself when I felt better against the doctor's orders. Within a few days at home in Accompong Town on bed rest, I recovered as completely as I could have in the United States. I am no longer particularly afraid of getting sick because I know I can get good quality care the next time I needed it.

The best thing is that the 5 days in the hospital cost me less than $200 US.

Peace and Guidance

Accompong... I'm glad you had a good outcome and recovery from your health crisis. I don't think anyone questions quality of care on the island. In fact, I'm very impressed with articles I've read about quality of care in the Caribbean Basin, and indeed around the world, compared with that available here in the States.

Personally, I'm more concerned about access and availability of critical care for maladies such as heart attack, or for serious injuries incurred while using transport services. Response time to obtain that access is also a concern.

Your story reflects your familiarity with people and services in the area, and that's good on you, to be sure! But for the vast majority of us more casual shorter term visitors to the island, and please understand that I'm not trying to be dismissive, the experience you describe may provide small comfort.

As noted previously, some of us have been visiting the island we love for decades. We may be young at heart, but our bodies betray us. Your story does highlight an alternative, to be sure... but what is the regional plan for the Negril area to provide the alternatives many of us would expect? There are plans and projects aplenty for development, but what about health care?

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Originally Posted by Chris B

Accompong... I'm glad you had a good outcome and recovery from your health crisis. I don't think anyone questions quality of care on the island. In fact, I'm very impressed with articles I've read about quality of care in the Caribbean Basin, and indeed around the world, compared with that available here in the States.

Personally, I'm more concerned about access and availability of critical care for maladies such as heart attack, or for serious injuries incurred while using transport services. Response time to obtain that access is also a concern.

Your story reflects your familiarity with people and services in the area, and that's good on you, to be sure! But for the vast majority of us more casual shorter term visitors to the island, and please understand that I'm not trying to be dismissive, the experience you describe may provide small comfort.

As noted previously, some of us have been visiting the island we love for decades. We may be young at heart, but our bodies betray us. Your story does highlight an alternative, to be sure... but what is the regional plan for the Negril area to provide the alternatives many of us would expect? There are plans and projects aplenty for development, but what about health care?

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Chris B,
I totally understand your concerns and you have a lot of good reasons to be concerned. I worry more when in Negril than I do in other areas of Jamaica. With Cornwall Regional and Savana La Mar being the two closest hospital alternatives doesn't do much to calm those concerns.

Negril is pretty much a "frontier village". What I mean is that it is not a major area close to a medical hub so a heart attack or a major injury is a little riskier to survive due to it's fringe location resulting in length of time before competent treatment. If I had a truly life-threatening event while in St. Elizabeth, I probably wouldn't make it either. A major heart attack would surely be fatal. My best bet would be Mandeville Hospital if I could last long enough to make it there.

I have been visiting Jamaica for 4 decades as well and I feel a lot more vulnerable as each year goes by but I am a person who lives his life in the moment. I accept the risks for the reward I get from living in Jamaica.

As I get older and perhaps a little more vulnerable, I will consider moving to a house across the street from the Mandeville Hospital.

Jamaica is a lot bigger than just Negril.

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The human body has limitations. The human spirit is boundless.
- Dean Karnazes

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I hope you find the answer that will calm your concerns.

Peace and Guidance

negril being the major tourist hub, one would think it would have more services considering the number of tourists that frequent the "village".
just my two cents worth . . .

Excellent response... thank you for your insight!

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Originally Posted by RoyinNC

We have been visiting Jamaica since the late 80's and have no current plans to stop vacationing there. We have seen many changes over that time, both good and bad (like any other growing vacation destination). But one area that people keep asking me about is the situation regarding medical care, particularly serious injury or illness if you are in Negril. While I would not avoid Sav La Mar for minor things, it would not really suffice in a serious or emergency situation. For a long time I kept the phone number of MoBay Hope Medical (at the Half Moon Shop area in MoBay) because from talking to many I had come to believe it might be the best option. Now, I have been told that it is no longer in operation. With stories of people at resorts facing huge bills for minor things when a doctor is summoned to their resort for treatment I don't know what the best options are anymore. These questions are becoming more important for me, and others among the aging travel population. Negril would do well to meet this need sooner rather than later because I already know many people who don't travel to Jamaica on vacation anymore for fear of the poor options of medical care in the event of an emergency or serious illness.
Does anyone know if MoBay Hope is actually gone? Their reviews were getting really bad anyway.

Does anyone know the status of the private hospital project that seems to have stalled? http://negrilbeachbungalows.com/ For some reason this is the website for the project.

What are the best options available from Negril now, and what is the best way to get to them if you have an emergency?

Thanks for any help on this!

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Roy,

The comments have been interesting. I will try to answer your questions as well as address some of the other comments. Living here daily for over two decades gives a person a different perspective than that of visitors, no matter how long they visit.

First, Hope Medical moved. It is now called the Hospiten Hospital. It is a little further past the old location, but the private hospital is a new facility. Contact numbers are on their website. The link is below.

http://www.hospiten.com/en/hospitals...en-montego-bay

As we get older, which we all are, healthcare begins to become an important item to consider. There is no free healthcare for visitors, which is the same pretty much worldwide. All healthcare from doctor visits, ambulances, emergency room, air evacuation, etc costs money. So one of the best ways to eliminate this money worry is to simply buy travel insurance. All you pay is the deductible. In addition to the medical coverage, there are other benefits such as missed flights that make this a no-brainer for those who worry about this issue. So if medical issues are of a major concern, be sure to get travel insurance!

For minor issues, a visit to any of the local clinics will suffice. Every hotel has the phone number of at least one local doctor that they use for this purpose. Also, several of the local hotels have their defibrillation units on site and someone trained to use it. If you are concerned or have heart issues, be sure to stay at a property that has one.

There is the public ambulance as well as several private ambulances that service Negril. But for most residents, it has become habitual to hail the closest taxi instead of calling and waiting for an ambulance. Chances are a taxi is nearby or already on the scene.

The ambulance or taxi can take you to the nearest hospital in Sav, either the publc hospital or the private Royal Medical. Both of these facilities are not really recommended for long term bed care, but they will be able to get you stabilized and ready for transport to the nearest doctor recommended facility, be it in Montego Bay, Mandeville, Kingston or even medi-evac off the island.

Negril, having a population of about 7000 residents cannot support a full care hospital at this time. During busy season, when more visitors than residents are in Negril, it would be a great thing to have available. But during slow season, a full care hospital in Negril would not be cost effective. This is just a reality when a small village becomes a major tourist destination with little to no planning in the early growth years.

A hospital in Negril will be a reality in the future, and a growth in medical tourism can help to bring that about quicker. Negril is also growing so that may take us out of the "village" status and allow Negril to become a legal municipality. As of today, still being a village, Negril has no mayor or city council, and relies on Savanna La Mar for its governing body. All decisions such as roads, sidewalks and even hospitals all come from Sav and Kingston.

I have Medex insurance with medical evacuation included. Also, I have several close friends (Brothers) that I can call in an emergency that will get me to a good private hospital.

However, if I have the "BIG ONE" Miss G says my remains will stay in Jamaica "land we love"

Cap

Hey Rob,
It is my understanding that hospitals require payment prior to services rendered and you are expected to settle with your travel insurance when you return home. Having a credit card with a low balance and high limit is likely needed. Is this not the case with the places you have mentioned? Your comment about just paying the deductible stoked my interest.

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Originally Posted by booger

Hey Rob,
It is my understanding that hospitals require payment prior to services rendered and you are expected to settle with your travel insurance when you return home. Having a credit card with a low balance and high limit is likely needed. Is this not the case with the places you have mentioned? Your comment about just paying the deductible stoked my interest.

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Booger,

Excellent question! This used to be the way they all worked as many insurance claims of all kinds still do. You would pay the bill and them submit it to the insurer. But times have changed with travel insurance as with most things.

Since this is not an insurance focused forum, I will give some basic info and links to more detailed travel insurance sources. We are in no way supporting or endorsing any of these companies, just providing links to how travel insurance works. I googled "how medical travel insurance works?"

All small costs, such as doctor visits, x-rays, mending a broken ankle or general vague illness requiring a doctor visit would all be paid in advance (out of pocket expense) and then the receipts sent to the insurer when you get back home. But for long stays, or very expensive services (medical evac), in the last few years several travel insurance companies offer "primary" coverage, which the hospital or med evac service will work with the insurer directly with no out of pocket expenses.

A travel info based site states that some companies "now offer comprehensive packages that serve as your primary coverage; they’ll take care of your expenses regardless of what other insurance you might have (for instance, if you have health insurance through your job). That means they pay first and don’t ask questions about your other insurance. This can be a real plus if you want to avoid out-of-pocket expenses."

And "With medical coverage, you may be able to arrange to have expensive hospital or doctor bills paid directly....you can also purchase primary coverage, which will take care of your costs up to a certain amount. In emergency situations involving costly procedures or overnight stays, the hospital will typically work directly with your travel-insurance carrier on billing..."

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...avel-insurance

In all cases, your travel insurer should be contacted asap regarding what is covered and what to do regarding the plan you purchased.

And from another source, "Emergency Medical Evacuation insurance provides coverage for medically necessary evacuation and transportation to medical facilities. These costs can easily reach $10,000 out of pocket if you don't have coverage."

http://www.investopedia.com/articles...-insurance.asp

Costs vary greatly depending on what is covered, your age and any pre-existing conditions. Take your time to compare the different companies and the plans they offer to find what is best for you.

Rob- Thanks for that excellent post and info!

Captaind Linston - What are the 'good private hospitals' you would go to? That would be the info I would most appreciate having if you don't mind sharing that info.
Thanks!

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Originally Posted by RoyinNC

Rob- Thanks for that excellent post and info!

Captaind Linston - What are the 'good private hospitals' you would go to? That would be the info I would most appreciate having if you don't mind sharing that info.
Thanks!

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Roy,

I'll post that information as soon as I know.

I'm not sure which hospital my Brothers where referring to but I was assured that I would be well cared for

Sounds weird , I know

Cap

Accompong, Rob and Cap.... thanks to all of you for your local insights an perspective. This thread has been one of the more informative and useful that I've seen on any travel site in some time.

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Originally Posted by Rob

Booger,

Excellent question! This used to be the way they all worked as many insurance claims of all kinds still do. You would pay the bill and them submit it to the insurer. But times have changed with travel insurance as with most things.

Since this is not an insurance focused forum, I will give some basic info and links to more detailed travel insurance sources. We are in no way supporting or endorsing any of these companies, just providing links to how travel insurance works. I googled "how medical travel insurance works?"

All small costs, such as doctor visits, x-rays, mending a broken ankle or general vague illness requiring a doctor visit would all be paid in advance (out of pocket expense) and then the receipts sent to the insurer when you get back home. But for long stays, or very expensive services (medical evac), in the last few years several travel insurance companies offer "primary" coverage, which the hospital or med evac service will work with the insurer directly with no out of pocket expenses.

A travel info based site states that some companies "now offer comprehensive packages that serve as your primary coverage; they’ll take care of your expenses regardless of what other insurance you might have (for instance, if you have health insurance through your job). That means they pay first and don’t ask questions about your other insurance. This can be a real plus if you want to avoid out-of-pocket expenses."

And "With medical coverage, you may be able to arrange to have expensive hospital or doctor bills paid directly....you can also purchase primary coverage, which will take care of your costs up to a certain amount. In emergency situations involving costly procedures or overnight stays, the hospital will typically work directly with your travel-insurance carrier on billing..."

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-ti...avel-insurance

In all cases, your travel insurer should be contacted asap regarding what is covered and what to do regarding the plan you purchased.

And from another source, "Emergency Medical Evacuation insurance provides coverage for medically necessary evacuation and transportation to medical facilities. These costs can easily reach $10,000 out of pocket if you don't have coverage."

http://www.investopedia.com/articles...-insurance.asp

Costs vary greatly depending on what is covered, your age and any pre-existing conditions. Take your time to compare the different companies and the plans they offer to find what is best for you.

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Excellent answer. I'm still bringing that card as backup simply to put my mind at ease. My next trip I'm bringing a senior and with that I am running scenarios that I never considered before.

It's my understanding that Seastar has a defibrillator, but do not quote me on that. Something to consider as one ages.

For sure bring credit card(s) to use if needed.

Some travel medical insurance needs to be purchased within a short time frame from your first purchase for the trip (hotel or flight), so research your options before booking.

Improvements being made to the hospital in Savanna-La-Mar! Thank you to the Issa Foundation! $24 million in new equipment for their Special Care Nursery for newborns!

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/regio...Hospital_62686

This project for Negril International Hospital has dropped long time ago. I volunteered for NIH, but it never got off ground. Clinics close in the evening here and it requires some planning for care at night in Negril. The most important thing is getting someone there ASAP, then make a plan! You won't know whats open (time of day) and whats running as far as ambulances until the time comes. Until we have 24 hour facility we do our best here in Negril! It is great to see people asking questions and planning ahead. I always advise to carry ONE credit card and cash along with insurance proof, but many do not cover out of the country events. Please check ahead of time and check travel insurance options for reimbursement. Nurse Beth

captaind: "However, if I have the "BIG ONE" Miss G says my remains will stay in Jamaica "land we love"

There in lies the rub or rather the lack of cardiac compressions. If you're in a really bad accident, medieval is probably your best hope after being stabilized. The bigger question is how many people in Negril know CPR? How many AED's in close proximity? I wonder how many heart attacks occur in Negril annually and how many survive? Just my head is made of stone. My heart is still muscle and blood. Perhaps I should start a cremation thread! Respect --Marblehead

Negril really needs a 24/7 emergency medical outpost where at least you can be stabilized before being sent to a hospital. The ambulance sounds like it may or may not come in short order so there needs to be an alternative to service both locals and tourist alike.

JMHO

I fell out of a rum tree last year, and cracked a rib:) Dr, Grant is available up by the Hilo, 60 bucks for an office visit, not bad, although not much could be done for my injury, (ice it and take Tylenol, and drink a lot of booze for the pain :)
I wonder if anyone has heard if the defibulator that we all raised money to buy was ever used, I was going to ask Nurse Marcia when I saw her in April, but forgot ! I hope it wasn't needed, but good to know that it was available, if needed.

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Originally Posted by Comforts of Home Nursing

This project for Negril International Hospital has dropped long time ago. I volunteered for NIH, but it never got off ground. Clinics close in the evening here and it requires some planning for care at night in Negril. The most important thing is getting someone there ASAP, then make a plan! You won't know whats open (time of day) and whats running as far as ambulances until the time comes. Until we have 24 hour facility we do our best here in Negril! It is great to see people asking questions and planning ahead. I always advise to carry ONE credit card and cash along with insurance proof, but many do not cover out of the country events. Please check ahead of time and check travel insurance options for reimbursement. Nurse Beth

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I was going to suggest calling Beth for any preliminary emergency treatments and illness and to assist in stabilizing the patient..... I believe she is able to set you up with the local physician too if it is something that can be taken care of locally....

I have often thought about this very topic. Many years ago I was in Negril with a friend who one day came down with terrible pain in his side. I hired a taxi and we carried him to the hospital in SAV. At that time staffed mostly by Cubans so very little English spoken which made things difficult. Anyway he was stabilized and after a couple day stay released. They were unable to determine the cause of his illness. When he got back stateside he determined it was kidney stones.

At that time I asked myself what if something really bad happened what would you do??? I live in New England and there are still some very rural areas here mostly in the north of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine where there are very few people and in some cases no cell service. If someone had the misfortune of a heart attack or other extreme emergency, that most likely would be fatal.

I realize that is not a fair comparison with Jamaica and in this case Negril because of the amount of people that either live in or frequent JA. I guess if you are a tourist travel insurance would slightly increase the odds of surviving a medical emergency. But as others have pointed out if the problem is time sensitive (heart attack) not having emergency care nearby would be hard to survive.

It seems to me that those who have the most to gain, especially in Negril, such as the big companies that own multiple properties would be in a position to help build a comprehensive 24/7 emergency outpost such as halfwaytree suggests.

Rob, what happens when this kind of topic is discussed in the meetings with businesses in Negril and their government counterparts??? Do they have any kind of plan, short or long term to address this reality??

Thanks,
johng

Medevac not medieval! :p Curses, autocorrect!

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Originally Posted by Marblehead

captaind: "However, if I have the "BIG ONE" Miss G says my remains will stay in Jamaica "land we love"

There in lies the rub or rather the lack of cardiac compressions. If you're in a really bad accident, medieval is probably your best hope after being stabilized. The bigger question is how many people in Negril know CPR? How many AED's in close proximity? I wonder how many heart attacks occur in Negril annually and how many survive? Just my head is made of stone. My heart is still muscle and blood. Perhaps I should start a cremation thread! Respect --Marblehead

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Johng,

This thread was started about 6 months ago. I think I answered your question above previously in this thread. Please read through my posts and see if they answer you. If you have any further questions, please post them.

Marblehead,

While there can never be too many people who know CPR, Negril does have quite a few people who have been trained. Each resort is required to have at least one trained staff member in CPR. Many have multiple people who have been trained in group sessions.

All life guards have medical training. Likewise with all dive instructors. i am friends with a dive instructor who conducts classes each month, the average numbers for his classes are between 10 to 15 at a time. We are planning on taking the class.

There are defibrillator units at some of the resorts and certified personel trained in their operation. This is not a requirement but the government has set up the certification so that resorts have this as an option for their guests.

Yes Rob,

I did read through your posts and saw your comments, and they do answer me. I guess that I had hoped that perhaps there was something in the works otherwise. From several comments, your own included, the reality is the risk vs reward of visiting or living in Negril (and rural Jamaica).

Thanks

And rural anywhere, rural US as well. Your comparison may not apply to Jamaica as a whole (Kingston is big city) but certainly applies to rural areas, Negril included.

What is in the works are upgrades to the Sav public hospital and more prompt service to get there since that serves 10s of thousands of people on a yearly basis.

As my post about Couples donation for natal care shows, the upgrades are taking place.

The defibrillator, purchased with money raised by people on this board and other sources, was put into service in May, 2016 after the EMS staff of Negril and Sav Fire Stations were trained on the new machine.
Gail Jackson at Tree House also has a new Defibrillator and her staff were also trained.

FYI - the training was not provided by the government for either machine.

Nurse Marcia,

Thank you for the information. And a personal thanks to you for making this happen. We are glad we could play our small part in making this a reality.

Two other hotels that have defibrillators are the Charela Inn and Seastar Inn. I know that there are a couple other properties that took advantage of the government training and certification program as Seastar Inn did when the program started a few years back, but I cannot remember which ones. If this is a critical factor for you, please contact the hotel and make sure the property has one on site.

Another option is Comforts of Home. Nurse Beth has a 24 hour on-call service and will come to your hotel with her AED as well as other medical essentials. The website can be found in our Market section:

Attachment 46658

Currently the government does not provide training "on demand", but will provide certification if a property has done the proper training.

Please know that you have someone to call 24/7 during your Negril stay. Please see my website and know that I will provide triage nursing services, collaborate with physicians and/or get an ambulance if need be! You may contact me through my website link and email questions, enter travel dates/allergies and where you are staying! This is my third season and I do my best to work the beachroad/cliff strip to be there for you! Nurse Beth

Comforts of Home Nursing Services Limited
www.j.mp/comfortsJA
876-464-28794

May I just say BOOM This is what I have expressed for the last four years......it is an accident and emergency center, 4-6 bed Dr oncall and nurse onsite with others oncall if needed. For now, I went ahead and created this company and got my own work permit until we can get it together!!! I have worked in nursing administration for the last decade in 650 bed hospital with helicopters flying in 24 hours....it is all about assess, stabilize and treat or transfer! I have brought parties together, went to meetings and certainly do not have the land or cash to do this myself....so I roll on my own trying to help as I can. Please, this is a topic I NEVER tire of....and I continue to link with other services/ambulances to make sure we have help. Every night is different, depends on the rigs up and running and what is going on with you...that makes our plan of action What you need to know is CALL ASAP when you feel you need help. Time is precious and everything takes time but I will do my best to get to you as soon as I can. I get many calls during the day due to the physicians running the clinic....it is all about TIME.
Nurse Beth

www.j.mp/comfortsJA

I just wanted to add that when we were there mid November, we needed to call Beth for a minor medical problem. This happened to be on a Sunday. Beth (Comforts of Home Nursing) arrived at our hotel within a half hour and assessed the situation and consulted a few times with a doctor. She then called the pharmacy and had some medication delivered to our hotel. Assessed and medication DELIVERED within an hour and a half! Now that is service. Beth is very professional and I will continue to have her number handy whenever we are in Negril. I would even say that if there was an extreme emergency and someone in our group had to be transported to the hospital, I would definitely want Beth along to advocate for me. She really knows the runnings of the medical industry there. Thanks Beth for this great service that is much needed.

Well thank you! I do my best to be there to facilitate your immediate needs. It is a challenge day and night with physicians running clinic with different hours daily and we never know what is up and running on any given day. It has been a busy season already so I hope people will let me know where they are staying on their visit. It is important for any locals/residents to connect also. It is very difficult at night to try to get directions/ health information in a crisis, but to properly assess and treat it is essential. Your information is always confidential. My plan of care fluctuates on what is available at the time. I will always consult, refer to a higher level of care or advise transport if that is what you need! Nurse Beth