DOCTORS HOSPITAL ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF UNFAIR CONCESSIONS

DOCTORS HOSPITAL ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF UNFAIR CONCESSIONS

Doctors Hospital is taking the government to court over concessions given to its healthcare competitors claiming that they distort the market.

In a press release, the hospital’s owners say they are "seeking a judicial review of the vast unilateral concessions made by the government to Health City and Aster Cayman MedCity."

According to Doctor's Hospital, these concessions "unfairly distort competition between healthcare providers on the Cayman Islands, and could ultimately compromise the quality of healthcare available."

It says the "vast financial concessions to DM Healthcare for the Aster Cayman MedCity development, and the proposed financial concessions to NHP for the proposed development at Camana Bay is concerning."

Doctors Hospital refers to statements by Premier Alden McLaughlin that "concessions and duty waivers already in place for Health City would apply to the new facility", and that the Aster Cayman Medcity would "not have to pay duty on medical equipment or supplies for 25 years after the commencement of construction of phase 1."

The hospital’s owners say while they acknowledge and welcome the government's intention to attract foreign investment, they " firmly believe fair competition and a level playing field for all healthcare providers serves the best interests of all, especially the general public."

“Eliminating the gap between healthcare providers in Cayman is more important than ever. No market should be subjected to anticompetitive, monopolistic, or dominating behaviour."

It further claims that "the power held by these companies affects the Cayman economy, our democracy, and ultimately the health and well-being of our citizens. "

Dr Yaron Rado, Board Chairman of Doctors Hospital is quoted as saying: "It is especially unfortunate for the many local-owned businesses who have been contributing to the country for years, shaping our community to what it is today."

Doctors Hospital says it sent a pre-action letter to the government on March 8th but had not yet received a reply.