Tyrone Wilson President & CEO of iCreate Limited has released the following results for the period ending June 30, 2022.

The Directors are pleased to report that the company have remained keenly focused on the key initiatives implemented at the beginning of the financial year. Among the initiatives were the expansion of our generic revenue base; growth through Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and judicious management of our operating expenses. These initiatives drove the results of profit being $6.4 million for the quarter, an increase of 154.8% against the $2.5 million generated in Q2, 2021.

The six-month YTD Profit was $16.5 million, an increase of 271.8% up on the $4.4 million for 2021. All divisions performed well.

Revenue was $34.5 million for the quarter, a 123.4% increase over Q2 2021, and $80.9 million for the six-month period, 239.1% above last year. This strong performance was positively impacted by a mix of new business clients as well as existing opportunities from our pipeline which were closed in Q2.

The strong profit results led to Equity reaching $26.1 million, up from $9.6 million at December 31, 2021. Total Assets were $128.9 million up from $75.6 million at December 31, 2021. Assets include $38.6 million, which is also carried in liabilities, relating to funds set aside for the investment in Visual Vibe Limited.

There has been a noticeable increase in the demand for digital creative and design training especially among large institutions and iCreate Institute is well positioned to meet this demand at the same time we continue to aggressively push business growth across our other divisions including digital marketing and advertising. iCreate Limited intends to expand its market share in these segments and be the
leading digital training and marketing entity on the island.

Management is also actively working on a number of M&A and other Joint Venture collaborations. We therefore expect continued strong revenue growth while closely managing our cost efficiencies.

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JAMPRO, the Jamaican Government’s investment agency, is seeking international collaborations in order to improve medical infrastructure and services in the island with the aim of climbing in the rankings for medical tourism.

Medical tourism is the industry which seeks to encourage people who reside in other countries to come to the island both for excellent medical care in a range of specialties, as well as sun, sea, sand and the warmth of the people of the island.

A PWC report forecast that the medical tourism market would value US$125 billion by 2021 while the wellness market could reach US$808 billion. Internationally, Thailand and India are renowned medical tourism destinations, with millions travelling annually for affordable medical care.

Three known participants in the Jamaican medical tourism industry are the Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC), Prosurgicare Services Limited and the Carnegie Hand Institute.

Heart Institute of the Caribbean is described as the first and only premier cardiovascular hospital in Jamaica and the Caribbean at large, which also offers telemetry service with various branches across Jamaica.

HIC is a full diagnostic centre and medical clinic which aims to provide fast, effective, and affordable treatment for all cardiac and cardiac-related illnesses that need urgent treatment by certified specialists. It has an 11-bed intensive care unit. HIC has practice partners across the Caribbean.

Prosurgicare Services Ltd, which is located in Kingston, is a plastic and aesthetic surgery practice headed by Dr Jan Hoctritt. Dr Hochtritt is a German board-certified double specialist with over 20 years of experience. As a general and plastic surgeon, he specialises in aesthetic surgery, breast reconstruction including modern microsurgical techniques, as well as hand and wrist surgery. His skills have assisted a broad range of patients — from cancer survivors and deformed persons to aesthetic patients seeking to augment their beauty.

The Carnegie Hand Institute located in Kingston is headed by Dr Cecil Aird and provides specialised services in the diagnosis, surgical treatment and rehabilitation of the hand and wrist.

JAMPRO notes that there are also investors in the area of medical training for the industry.

In international medical tourism rankings Jamaica is highly rated for the beauty of the island, but scores low overall on medical infrastructure.

The Medical Tourism Index 2020-2021, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the medical travel industry, ranks American perceptions of 46 international health-care destinations, providing insight into how consumers view 41 criteria across three primary dimensions including destination attractiveness, safety, and quality of care.

For the destination criterion, Jamaica ranks 33rd out of the 46 destinations. For the medical tourism industry, it ranks 25. For quality of facilities and services it ranks 44 out of 46 destinations.

Carol Straw, manager of tourism & services at JAMPRO, informed that policy is being developed around which industry expansion can occur.

She stated, “Jamaica, with its established infrastructure for tourism and its highly qualified medical personnel, is well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by medical tourism. To enable the destination to improve its rankings internationally, there are several actions that are happening or will be taking place,” including liaising with international experts.

Straw said that, with regards to developing the ecosystem for medical tourism to thrive, “we will continue our efforts to identify more local and international players in the medical tourism field who can help the country to grow its own infrastructure. A medical tourism policy has also been drafted for discussion by the Government; this will contribute to creating the necessary framework for medical tourism to grow in Jamaica”.

At the same time, she outlined that the island will see accreditation from new bodies. She said, “While the facilities that are in Jamaica are good, it is important to secure international accreditation to gain the confidence of the medical tourist. The popular accreditation is offered by the Joint Commission International, however, there are other accreditation options available.”

One such option is Temos International, a European accreditation body that provides a more cost-effective option than the Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation.

Straw said, “This agency has facilitated several sessions (webinars and face to face sessions) with the Jamaican medical community to formally introduce accreditation via this body. Through our work with Temos, we have focused on continuous quality improvement (CQI) in providing high-quality, safe, and competent care for patients, with the best available standards and the best-expected outcomes.

The JAMPRO executive expressed a concern about financing for industry development. She told the Business Observer, “A large part of developing the industry is in the financing. This will enable our doctors to take advantage of the accreditation processes and the opportunities that present themselves in the sector, and develop support personnel such as specialised nurses who help with the delivery of health care. JAMPRO is actively seeking donors who are willing to establish partnerships with local investors.”

At the same time, Straw stated that it is also critical to facilitate investment in health-care workers. Specialist doctors need the support of nurses, laboratory workers and other specialist staff in the build out of their operations.

She concluded that JAMPRO continues to work with local investors who are operating pre-med schools or who are in the process of formalising and building out their operations.

Source: https://www.miic.gov.jm/content/jampro-seeks-partnerships-medical-tourism-expansion

According to the press releases plans are in progress to transform the Knutsford Court Hotel property into a model business and lifestyle village that will build healthy living, productivity, and environmental sustainability into its operations.

Dr Walcott stated that Novamed believes that investing in healthcare extends beyond buying hospitals and clinics. It extends into creating productive spaces in everyday life that facilitate healthy and sustainable undertones to our professional and personal activities.

Medical Associates Hospital and Medical Center (MAH)

MAH was established in 1959 by Dr. J.T Burrowes whose vision was to create the finest private healthcare facility in Jamaica, offering a wide range of medical services of the highest quality to its patients, with care, compassion, and kindness.

Throughout the years Medical Associates Hospital has gained a reputation for excellent nursing care, experienced and highly-trained consultants, physicians and surgeons, and forging new pathways in medicine.

MAH is a First-Class healthcare facility that is proud to have forged long-standing relationships and alliances with over 60 companies and corporations in Jamaica, including embassies and consulates, international shipping lines, security companies, manufacturing plants, and telecommunications companies, to name a few.

Our excellent relationships with our highly trained medical team and our family of patients, coupled with our unwavering commitment to quality healthcare services and advancements in medical technology has significantly contributed in helping the hospital build a positive, progressive and unquestionable reputation in the healthcare sector.

MAH has three entrances; one on Ruthven Road, one on Chelsea Avenue and its main entrance, on Half Way Tree Road, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The Knutsford Court Hotel

Businessman Kevin Hendrickson brought his talent and experience to The Knutsford Court Hotel, his second hotel acquisition in Kingston (The Courtleigh Hotel & Suites being the first). Located in the Half Way Tree area of the city, The Knutsford Court Hotel is unique in its ability to suit every type of traveller and budget, with accommodation and amenities for corporate visitors, groups, couples and families.

Modernization is at the heart of the hotel, with state-of-the-art point of sales systems, fire prevention and sprinkler systems throughout, an intricate surveillance camera system and electronic key lock for bedrooms as well as complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi access.

Hotel Four Seasons?

It was recently reported that First Rock bought one of several hotels which are near the Medical Associates Hospital. It is understood that this hotel will be added to the MAH portfolio, causing a possible conflict of interest on Dr Banbury’s behalf, hence his resignation.

Hotel Four Seasons, a long-standing part of Kingston’s hospitality landscape, and sits just across the road from both Medical Associates Hospital & Knutsford Court Hotel was placed on the market for sale by its owners, who are seeking US$16 million, or about $2.5 billion in Jamaican currency, for the property located on Ruthven Road. There has been no further public announcement on this pending sale.

Medical Associates Hospital & Knutsford Court Hotel To Be Transformed Into A State-Of-The-Art Health District – Part 4 The Business Opportunity – Medical Tourism Expansion

Two recent acquisitions have caught our attention. Separately they did not seem to be related, but on further investigation we realised that there was a very strategy relationship.

The Acquisitions

The first was hotelier Kevin Hendrickson announcement of the sale of the Knutsford Court Hotel to local healthcare company Novamed.
The Knutsford Court Hotel property is been acquired by Novamed Inc. through a specially created vehicle, Novamed Properties and arranged by Roots Financial. The acquisition valued at over US$40 million, is expected to close in the coming months.

The second announcement was that of First Rock Real Estate Investments Limited advising that it is a part of a consortium seeking to acquire Medical Associates Hospital;

Both properties on which Medical Associates Hospital & Knutsford Court Hotel are located and operating are next to each other.
It was this statement in the press release that made the connection for us…”Novamed intends to secure shares in a major hospital to complement the hotel purchase.”  We are now convinced that the Novamed is part of the consortium seeking to acquire the Medical Associates Hospital to complete the project.

Funding

Properly packaged this State-Of-The-Art Health District including a Model Business And Lifestyle Village That Will Build Healthy Living, Productivity, And Environmental Sustainability is an extremely attractive IPO target on the international market.
In part 3 of this article we note that a PWC report forecasted that the Medical Tourism Market should value US$125 billion by 2021 while the wellness market could reach US$808 billion. Internationally, Thailand and India are renowned medical tourism destinations, with millions travelling annually for affordable medical care.
We also note that the Jamaican Government’s investment agency JAMPRO, is seeking international collaborations in order to improve medical infrastructure and services in the island with the aim of climbing in the rankings for medical tourism.

Medical Associates Hospital & Knutsford Court Hotel To Be Transformed Into A State-Of-The-Art Health District – Part 2 The Players

JMMB Holding Company, SRL and its parent JMMB Group Limited have received final regulatory approval for the purchase of 100% of the shares in Banco Múltiple Bell Bank, S.A. in the Dominican Republic as well as to merge said entity with Banco Ahorro y Crédito, JMMB Bank, SA on July 28, 2022 . This is a significant milestones for the JMMB Group, as this will be our first commercial bank in the Dominican Republic.

The JMMB DR Group currently includes the brokerage house, JMMB Puesto de Bolsa SA, a fund manager company, JMMB Funds and a pension fund administrator company AFP JMMB BDI, S.A.

This acquisition and merger complements our regional diversification strategy as we seek to more effectively fulfill the financial needs of the local market in the Dominican Republic.