EMED Jamaica and COK Sodality Credit Union Partner to Provide Air Ambulance Service and Health Care Access Program
Kingston, Jamaica (PRWEB) November 24, 2013 -- EMED, Jamaica’s government approved air ambulance provider announced its partnership with COK Sodality Co-operative Credit Union, Jamaica’s largest credit union, today. The EMED/COK partnership will open a window of opportunity for Jamaicans who previously could not afford emergency ground and air ambulance services to access medical care overseas.
Duane Boise, President and CEO, outlined the company's group membership benefit plan during an EMED presentation in Kingston, Jamaica. COK members who contributed $500 monthly to EMED will be eligible for the programme. Under the new arrangement, individuals and employers can pay a similar amount to COK and become eligible programme members.
Boise, said the average Jamaican will be able to access the best facilities in the Caribbean, United States and Latin America, once they are part of the EMED plan.
"Traditionally, the emergency air ambulance has been only for executives, cabinet ministers and wealthy people," Boise said.
"For the average Jamaican, if you were sick and you needed special treatment to survive that Jamaica could not provide, most probably you would die, today EMED has provided a solution with its membership programme," he added.
To qualify for the EMED Programme, members have to be up-to-date with payments for up to six months. Once signed up, they are issued an access card with an emergency number which they can call in case of an emergency.
Patients who may require urgent medical attention overseas can contact EMED's personal care advisors through that number. The company's medical director then determines the patient's eligibility before advising their doctor on the next step for their patient.Once clearance is given, the EMED operations manager negotiates travel arrangements which include acquiring an emergency visa.
Boise said the company has enrolled many of the North Coast resort hotels for not only staff, but also tourists who may need urgent medical attention overseas.
Boise added that ground ambulance service are also included in the benefit programme.
EMED has several aircraft equipped with aero-medical supplies for emergency services. All are manned by locally qualified medical staff. “We are fully equipped and ready to take almost any case that requires emergency medical evacuation and further more we have a highly trained, professional medical staff ready to assist and deploy as needed.” Dr. Mohamed Basir EMED’s medical director said while touring EMED’s strategically positioned emergency station at the Port of Falmouth.
In the next weeks, a US flagged aircraft is expected to be permanently stationed at the Tinson Pen Aerodrome in Kingston.
Boise, having been involved in emergency health care services for more than 25 years specializes in the development of emergency healthcare information technology programs. “We have been working very hard with many local officials on establishing protocols that save lives.” Said Mr. Boise. “We have the ability with fully equipped ambulances, highly trained medical staff which combining these two elements along with our mobile health record systems will prove to save more lives and give our group members a superior experience unlike anywhere in the Caribbean.”
Jason Pawloski EMED’s Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Product development added “We have developed the technology so that in an emergency it allows our medical teams to retrieve a patient’s medical record on any mobile smart device and this brings a whole new level of benefit to access quality healthcare for our COK members.”
Jason Pawloski, EMED Global Jamaica Ltd., http://www.emedlifeline.com, 1-876-312-1119, [email protected]
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