Commissioner of Health, Bruce Zagers issued a report on behalf of the delegation that visited Colombia and Guadeloupe from December 12th until December 17th. The delegation from Saba consisted of Commissioner of Health Bruce Zagers, Director of the Saba Health Care Foundation Dr. Joka Blaauboer and Island Council Member/Chairman of the Central Committee, Rolando Wilson. Accompanying them were delegations from Saba, Statia, Bonaire, St. Maarten, the cabinet of the Kingdom Representative, VWS and Coomeva all took part week long fact finding during which the individual facilities were visited.
The report gives a “comprehensive and collective” analysis of the visits to the medical facilities in both countries and the quality of services provided by the healthcare service providers.

Colombia

The report gives some insight into the three hospitals that patients are referred to in Colombia, each of them impressive in their own right. The hospitals boast ultra modern equipment, a range of services that include specialties in oncology and organ transplants. One of them, Clinica Cardiovascular, is a pioneer and leader in heart and lung transplants. The wards in the hospitals are described as being clean, well equipped and could be considered luxurious in comparison to wards in other hospitals
An organization, Coomeva, is charged with the care of patients and their companions for their duration of their stay are portrayed as flexible and accommodating. They provide an English speaking chaperone that gives guidance and in depth explanations.
The language barrier is described as being an obstacle only outside the facilities as many persons speak English to some extent.

Guadeloupe

In comparison to Guadeloupe, the facilities there can be considered to be of a similar standard. Patients are referred to largest hospital there, which has over 700 beds and over 300 doctors. The report suggest that the exterior of the building may give the impression of a “run down” facility but the hospital boasts state of the art equipment and can offer services which cannot be offered in St. Maarten.
The caretakers in Guadeloupe are former Saban residents, who accommodate patients in a quaint apartment complex located in a secure area. The couple arranges transportation, accommodation and guidance in and around the hospital. They speak both English and French, and try to arrange for patients to meet with doctors that have a command of English.
The report concludes by saying that “It is the opinion of the Saba delegation that both Columbia and Guadeloupe provide good health care for the Saban patients. Both locations offer facilities that have state of the art equipment, well trained staff and services that will be beneficial to both the patient and
the companions. The quality of the medical treatment and care in Columbia and in Guadeloupe are at a very high standard”.
To view the full report visit www.sabanews.nl.

In picture from L-r: Island Councilman Rolando Wilson, Director, Saba Healthcare Foundation, Dr. Joka Blauuboer and Commissioner Bruce Zagers