Montserrat has secured a new agreement with Martinique that will allow patients requiring urgent medical treatment to be transferred to the French island around the clock.
This was announced by Minister of Health Dr. the Honourable Ingrid Buffonge.
Last week, Dr. Buffonge, alongside a delegation led by Premier Honourable Reuben T. Meade, visited the French territory as part of efforts to strengthen regional healthcare partnerships.
Speaking about the visit, Dr. Buffonge said talks produced an immediate breakthrough, with Martinique agreeing in principle to receive the island’s time-critical medical emergencies under a formal agreement operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The arrangement will also provide helicopter transfers and medical visas for patients when required.
Minister Buffonge described the response from Martinique as overwhelmingly positive, saying the agreement marks an important step towards providing faster and more efficient medical evacuations for the people of Montserrat.
The team also visited Guadeloupe, where discussions focused on several strategic areas, including the development of agricultural trade, the promotion of Montserrat’s water resources, and the supply of sand and aggregates, which are essential for the construction and infrastructure sectors in Guadeloupe.
Meetings also examined cooperation in the areas of healthcare, education, and sports.
Dr. Buffonge has also revealed that a similar medical agreement has been secured with the University Hospital of Guadeloupe (CHU Guadeloupe), further expanding the island’s options for emergency specialist healthcare.
She said the arrangement mirrors the agreement recently reached with Martinique, with one key difference.
She explained that CHU Guadeloupe is currently transitioning into a new state-of-the-art hospital complex valued at approximately €600 million. As a result, the facility is expected to begin receiving patients from Montserrat by December this year.
According to the Minister, Guadeloupe’s proximity to Montserrat makes it an especially important partner for emergency medical care.
She noted that while Martinique is approximately 90 minutes away by air, Guadeloupe can be reached in about 25 minutes, significantly reducing travel time for patients requiring urgent specialist treatment.
Dr. Buffonge said the shorter journey could prove critical for patients facing life-threatening conditions that require immediate tertiary-level medical intervention.
She also pointed out that transporting patients to Guadeloupe is expected to be less expensive than flights to Martinique, making it both a faster and more cost-effective option for emergency medical evacuations.
Dr. the Honourable Buffonge said, together, the arrangements are expected to strengthen the island’s emergency referral system and improve access to specialist care for patients requiring treatment that is not available locally.