A New Era in Patient Care in T&T: Public Needs, Private Solutions

December 18th, 2025

Over the past 25 years, the private healthcare sector in Trinidad and Tobago has achieved significant growth. New establishments have emerged, offering specialised medical care and technologically advanced services. According to Dr. Kongshiek Achong Low, Executive Chairman, Medcorp Limited, small clinics have transitioned into “a sophisticated network of private hospitals, diagnostic centres, and specialist practices”, offering services that were not previously available privately. Dr. Achong Low attributes this transformation partly to growing patient expectations and the rising demand for higher-quality and more efficient care.

From Pioneers to Public Investors

Medcorp Limited exemplifies the sector’s expansion, having successfully launched its Initial Public Offering (IPO) in June 2025. Dr. Achong Low affirms that this not only illustrates Medcorp’s evolved corporate structure but also “reflects the maturation of the private healthcare sector in Trinidad and Tobago, where healthcare providers can now attract public investment to fuel further innovation and expansion.”

According to the Executive Chairman, private institutions can provide “more streamlined service delivery, stronger accountability, and enhanced patient experience.” When the public sector is heavily encumbered, private care can complement its services. Dr. Achong Low declares that this relationship between the sectors empowers patients by giving them choices. “This evolution has helped ease the burden on the public system, especially by reducing wait times for diagnostics, specialist consultations, and elective surgeries.”

Over the years, private institutions have embraced innovation. Medcorp Limited first introduced mammogram imaging technology in Trinidad and Tobago and deployed the first CT scanner in North Trinidad. They also opened the first modern radiotherapy centre in 2007, and Caribbean Heart Care Medcorp Limited (CHCm), a joint venture between Medcorp Limited and Caribbean Heart Care Limited (CHC), is the only local facility to perform elective paediatric heart surgery.

Labour, Logistics, and Limits

One of the most significant issues facing the national health sector is labour shortages, particularly among nurses and technicians. Medical workers often migrate in search of opportunities, or they rotate among local facilities. Compounding these workforce issues are persistent disruptions in the global supply chain, which limit access to essential supplies and pharmaceuticals and place additional pressure on service providers.

Private institutions also face challenges in coordinating with insurance companies. Dr. Achong Low explains that this can affect financial operations and impact service delivery. Additionally, he says government regulations constrain operations. “While licensing and quality standards are important,” he notes that “the current process for compliance with regulations can be prolonged and complex, requiring the sector to constantly adapt to evolving healthcare policies, compliance requirements, and accreditation standards.”

Furthermore, while institutions primarily operate using TT dollars, they also have indirect exposure to foreign exchange risks. Dr. Achong Low states that the limited availability of forex contributes to higher costs for acquiring medical equipment and supplies, which is exacerbated by rising inflation.

Future-Ready Strategies for Sustainable Healthcare

The Executive Chairman asserts that private establishments should incorporate forward-looking strategies to help address pervasive challenges and sustain the progress of national healthcare. He recommends that more involved collaboration with the government can “help address gaps in capacity, expand access in underserved areas, and improve continuity of care.”

He advocates for the expansion of existing facilities and the construction of specialised centres to increase capacity and offer new services.

In his view, innovation plays a vital role in helping private institutions align with national health objectives and meet future demands. “By embracing digital platforms, electronic health records, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence-driven diagnostics, private providers can streamline care, improve clinical decision-making, and enhance patient experience in the coming decades.” He also notes that direct insurance-to-institution payments may alleviate the financial burden on patients and enhance access.

Dr. Achong Low states that these innovations enable the sector to provide specialised therapies and treatments, thereby strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s medical tourism industry and positioning the country as a regional leader in high-quality, outcome-driven care.

By Dixie-Ann Belle