For the first time since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) is set to host its highly-anticipated Masters of Medicine Annual Summit. This prestigious event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 14th, at the renowned Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. Marking its third staging, this year’s summit is themed as “Medicine and Society: Creating a More Resilient Health System in the Caribbean Post-COVID.”
A Confluence of Expertise
The summit promises a confluence of high-level roundtable discussions, bringing together local and international experts in fields ranging from medicine and social science to policymaking, economics, business leadership, and even religious and civic society leaders. These discussions aim to delve into the complex web of issues impacting healthcare delivery in the Caribbean.
Key Discussion Topics
Some of the key discussion topics on the agenda include:
- Major Causes of Mortality: Delving into the leading causes of death in the Caribbean and identifying critical drivers.
- Social Determinants of Healthcare: Analyzing the social determinants that impact healthcare in the Caribbean.
- Policies and Regulations: Exploring the policies and regulations that influence healthcare outcomes in the region.
- Healthcare Workforce and Outcomes: Assessing the relationship between the healthcare workforce and overall health outcomes.
- Healthcare Finance and Quality: Scrutinizing aspects related to healthcare finance, quality, standardization of care, and health equity.
A Continuing Legacy of Education
According to Dr. Dainia Baugh, President and CEO of the Heart Institute of the Caribbean, the Masters of Medicine conference continues to play a pivotal role in the ongoing education of physicians, technicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers. It has successfully fulfilled this role since its inception in 2019, consistently attracting leading healthcare authorities from around the world to Jamaica. It provides a unique opportunity for local healthcare stakeholders to directly engage with these global opinion leaders in healthcare.
Heart Institute of the Caribbean: A Catalyst for Change
Established in 2005, the Heart Institute of the Caribbean has distinguished itself as an innovative and dynamic healthcare center committed to providing inclusive access to high-quality healthcare. The HIC Foundation, founded in 2008, is instrumental in ensuring that low-income and vulnerable patients can access life-saving care through subsidies it grants. The organization has earned a reputation as a change-maker in the global response to the pandemic and related healthcare issues.
Last year, in the midst of the global crisis, the founders embarked on a multimillion-dollar expansion of its premier cardiovascular center, making it Jamaica’s sole heart hospital.
Looking to the Future
The previous Masters of Medicine conference in 2020 also centered around the theme of “Medicine and Society.” It focused on advancements in cardiovascular care and their implications for low-resource nations.
For the 2022 edition, the spotlight will be on the Caribbean as a region, examining the intricate interplay between medicine and society. Lessons learned from the pandemic will guide discussions on creating a more resilient healthcare system capable of withstanding unforeseen challenges in the post-pandemic era.
Diverse Audience, Holistic Approach
The target audience for this summit is diverse and includes private and public healthcare professionals, leaders from the private sector, policymakers, and social scientists. This diversity recognizes the critical interplay between the private and public sectors in healthcare, as well as the responsibility of global bodies overseeing public healthcare.
Dr. Baugh emphasizes, “What is often forgotten is that good quality healthcare cannot be delivered in a vacuum. Many friction points in the healthcare value chain directly affect access and the quality of care available to citizens. Decisions made by policymakers, payers, providers, consumers, and other stakeholders can directly impact the ability of providers to attract appropriate talent or resources that can drive quality care or ensure health equity.”
The insights and solutions arising from the conference discussions will play a significant role in resolving these friction points and ensuring inclusive, high-quality healthcare for Caribbean citizens. The summit’s significance is underscored by the participation of distinguished figures, including the Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, who will open the conference, and Dr. Michelle Albert, the current President of the American Heart Association.
In summary, the Masters of Medicine Annual Summit 2022 promises to be an event of critical importance, bringing together a wealth of expertise to chart a course for a more resilient healthcare system in the Caribbean post-COVID.
