In keeping with Government’s electoral manifesto pledge to work closely with the private health sector, the government has set up a desk to promote contacts with the business community for ventures within the health sector.

In a statement following a press conference earlier today, the Health Ministry said this desk will be the contact point that will reach out and facilitate dialogue with all private sector health services providers ranging from self employed health operators to private clinics and hospitals. It will work to advice in the development of partnerships between the public and private health services.

The objectives of this help desk will be to:

· To promote and work hand in hand with private health sector stakeholders to contribute towards the development of synergistic, complementary public and private health services that will lay a strong basis on which we build a sustainable health system at a national level;

· To promote health tourism in all forms by serving as a catalyst for private health care providers to seek out niche opportunities in the health tourism market in collaboration with the Ministries responsible for tourism and enterprise;

· To seek innovative forms of health services delivery, which might induce a higher level of efficiency existing in current health services providers;

· To work to reduce bureaucracy for health care providers since the reduction of administrative burdens in itself promotes health care sustainability;

· To engage with private health insurers in tackling obstacles which keep back a wider dissemination of private health insurance;

· In partnership with the leading government institutions, attract international health care providers.

The Business Friendly Contact Desk will be operating as from next month and can be contacted on:[email protected]