Adyanth Kafle joins lecturers, students and Mrs. Ram Mirchandani, owner of Casa Grande Airport Hotel & Resort, in cutting a cake to celebrate the establishment of the Washington University of Barbados School of Medicine at the International Hall at the St. Philip hotel yesterday.
Medical schools a good move
There are high hopes for health tourism as a growth area in Barbados.
This was the word coming from veteran businesswoman Mrs Asha Ram Mirchandani, owner of Case Grande Airport Hotel & Resort.
She was speaking to the Barbados Advocate at the anniversary celebration of the Washington University of Barbados School of Medicine at the International Hall at that location, where she indicated this medical school shows the potential of health tourism in Barbados and creating new ways to earn foreign exchange.
Mirchandani highlighted, “The past Government of Barbados has to be congratulated for the foresight they had of earning foreign exchange for this country, giving medical schools the opportunity to be established here as part of International Business. The Washington University is one of them, which is housed in the B Block of Case Grande, and they hope to bring in another 500 students. It has been a lot of hard work and we want to continue to push.”
She continued: “The present Government also has to be congratulated for the Prime Minister’s foresight for carrying on the work of medical schools that have been established and we appreciate the people of Barbados for understanding business has to change and that we have to find new ways to bring foreign exchange. Also, the Ross School is coming to Barbados in January, [that] will also benefit Barbadians because 1 400 students are coming into Barbados.”
According to her, “We at Case Grande have been doing whatever is possible to promote health tourism and this is an area that persons have been working on developing for the last ten years. We are now seeing the tip of the iceberg. It has been a struggle, but this is a classic example of health tourism. Health tourism is in the manifestos of both Governments. It has gone to Parliament and has been approved. This area is excellent for Barbados.
“My appeal to the present Government is to please work with us and let the school be part of the development of Barbados. Right now people are suffering and they want to know how we will move forward as we see challenges in the society. Barbados can be the hub for health tourism. The seed has been sown, but it is time to do the rest of the work. We have students here from good families in India staying here at Casa Grande to study and experience this island.”
Mirchandani appealed, “This is the first year of establishment of this school and we want all Barbadians to embrace the students and the school has opened up its doors to Barbadian students and the school will continue to invest in Barbados.” (NB)