Eliminate import duties on medical equipment
Eliminate the import duties on medical equipment the dentists use.
This is one of the requests being put forth by Chairman of the Caribbean Dental Programme (CDP), Dr. Victor Eastmond who is calling for discussion on this proposal to take place.
Delivering remarks at the CDP Opening Ceremony recently at the Accra Beach Hotel and Spa, he said that if this request is granted, then the advantages would trickle town to the paying customers as well.
“Such a proposal is that it will also have the added benefit of reducing the cost of service to the general public within the private sector where exorbitant duties cost has to be passed onto the patient and they too, always complain of the
high cost not realizing it is because of the levies imposed on dentists’ equipment etc.”
In return, he stated that dentists would donate some of their time towards providing their knowledge and skills to working in Government-run facilities at no cost. It would also encourage Barbadian dentists practicing overseas to come back home and share their expertise within the local communities because as it currently stands, some of these professionals prefer to work overseas because of these duties as well as the high registration costs for practicing in this island.
It would also lead to the further development of health tourism for Barbados, he explained. “Last year I proposed that private dentists be allowed to give some of their time working in Government Clinics without pay but the compromise in return should be that the Customs Duties on dental equipment be removed thereby allowing for the importation of high quality equipment for private clinics. Such an elimination of duties, will encourage the return of many of our eminent dental personnel who continue to practise overseas because of the penalties and restrictions imposed by our duties etc in Barbados. These highly qualified overseas nationals may then find it financially acceptable to return and provide a much-needed service to our citizens which in turn would save on foreign exchange for persons who now have to travel overseas for complicated procedures to see such specialists. The icing on the cake is that Barbados can then be seen as a Centre of Excellence with an increase in specialties which will attract Health Tourism and the spinoffs which automatically follows within all Health Tourism products.”
Dr. Eastmond stated that in order for this to become a reality however, certain things have to take place, starting with getting other dentists on board with this suggestion.
“I must however include some negatives within such a proposal along with long-term drawbacks. The first is acceptance by our local dentists as such a proposal will have to be negotiated with the profession’s representative body i.e. The Barbados Dental Association (BDA).”