When Dr Dainia Baugh and Dr Ernest Madu established the Heart Institute of the Caribbean (HIC) in 2005, they weren’t just launching a medical facility—they were crafting a vision to redefine what healthcare in Jamaica and the Caribbean could look like.

Driven by a shared frustration with the region’s healthcare system, the couple, who met in the United States during postgraduate training, chose not to climb the corporate ladder in America but to return to the Caribbean and use their expertise.

For Dr Baugh, a Jamaican, the mission was deeply personal.

“I grew up here. I know the struggles people face just trying to access quality healthcare,” she said in an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer. Dr Madu, a Nigerian-born pioneer in cardiovascular medicine, shared the same vision. He wanted to address the glaring disparities faced by African communities.

At the time, the Caribbean faced significant gaps in cardiovascular care. There were fewer than 10 fellowship-trained cardiologists in Jamaica, electronic medical records were virtually unheard of, and patients often waited months for diagnostic procedures like echocardiograms. Those who could afford it frequently travelled to the United States for services.

“The challenges were huge, but we never saw that,” Dr Baugh recalled. “We were so focused on bringing that dream to reality that whatever obstacles came up, we were 10 steps ahead of it.”

HIC started small but bold. It was the first facility in Jamaica to introduce electronic medical records in 2005—a system that even 72 per cent of US practices didn’t have at the time. From its first cardiac intensive care unit to a 24-hour chest pain centre, HIC set a new standard for healthcare in the region.

Today, the institute has grown into a comprehensive centre offering cutting-edge services such as vascular surgery, advanced diagnostic procedures, and telemedicine consultations with global experts. Over time, the institution developed a state-of-the-art operating theatre designed to minimise infections through cutting-edge technology like laminar airflow systems and antimicrobial surfaces—a detail often overlooked in many medical facilities.

“Every decision we make is about outcomes,” Dr Madu explained. “From the paint on the walls to the air exchange systems in our operating rooms, everything is designed to save lives and prevent complications.”

Now, after 20 years of pioneering work, HIC is advocating for a new approach to healthcare in the Caribbean—one rooted in collaboration. They envision Jamaica leading this transformation, drawing on the successful partnerships formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when private institutions and government facilities worked together to manage overflow patients by providing beds, staff, and emergency care.

“That experience was eye-opening,” Dr Baugh said. “We saw how effective collaboration could be. It wasn’t about egos; it was about saving lives. Imagine if we took that same energy and applied it to everyday healthcare—many more people would visit the doctor more often, and the mortality rate would significantly decline.”

The couple firmly believes that Jamaica’s healthcare challenges cannot be solved in isolation. “We’re too small a country for every institution to act like an island,” she added.

“Collaboration isn’t weakness—it’s the future.”

The urgency of HIC’s mission has been underscored by the United States’ recent Level 3 travel advisory for Jamaica, which highlighted deficiencies in the healthcare sector as a concern for tourists.

In July, the US State Department flagged Jamaica’s healthcare system as one of the reasons to reconsider travel to the island. It cautioned that US citizens should not expect the same standard of healthcare as in the United States, pointing to generally slower emergency response times and limited routine care for illness or injury. The advisory also noted that private hospitals often require upfront payment before admitting patients and may lack the capacity to provide specialised care.

Additionally, ambulance services were described as inconsistently staffed with EMTs and not always readily available, particularly in rural areas. Travellers were advised to bring extra prescription medication, as essential drugs like insulin can sometimes be difficult to obtain locally.

“For years, we’ve been like a voice crying in the wilderness, urging the nation to recognise that solving our healthcare delivery issues is not just a matter of public well-being—it’s a matter of national interest. Why? Because one of the biggest line items on our budget is tourism,” Dr Baugh said.

Dr Baugh, speaking with passion, told the Business Observer that while Jamaica has been celebrating its milestones—like welcoming 4.5 million visitors—there are critical questions we’re failing to ask.

“We beat our chests with pride, but are we asking the right questions? Who isn’t coming? Why aren’t they coming?” she queried.

She continued, “We’re so focused on the numbers we achieve that we overlook the opportunities we’re missing. Could we have reached nine million? We should be at nine million. Who better than us to dominate as a premier destination?

“It’s not just about the tourists who land here—it’s about those who decide not to. And until we address the gaps in our healthcare system, we risk losing more than just tourists; we risk losing the economic lifeline that tourism provides.”

The founders point to the success of international collaborations in other industries as proof that Jamaica’s healthcare system can adopt a similar model. “Look at the automotive industry,” Dr Madu added. “Ford and Chevrolet compete, but they still collaborate on certain parts because it’s more efficient. Even space exploration sees rivals like the US and Russia working together when it matters most. Healthcare should follow suit.”

HIC has been leading by example. Its partnerships with institutions like Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania allow for groundbreaking research and real-time consultations. Through its telemedicine platform, a patient in rural Jamaica—or even in another Caribbean island—can connect with a specialist in Kingston or a cardiologist at Yale.

“We’ve proven that decentralising care works,” he said. With Heart Stations established in Mandeville and Ocho Rios, HIC has significantly reduced the need for rural patients to travel to Kingston for specialised care.

Beyond Jamaica, HIC is making an impact across the Caribbean. One of its notable success stories is St Kitts, where HIC’s innovative telemedicine platform has transformed healthcare delivery.

“The smaller islands across the Caribbean have faced even greater challenges,” Dr Madu said. “Many of these islands are too small to sustain the type of infrastructure needed for advanced healthcare. They don’t have enough people to justify the investment, and even if you build it, there isn’t a sufficient labour force to maintain it. Yet, the healthcare needs remain. People still suffer.”

HIC developed a unique solution: creating partnerships and collaborations with well-trained professionals in these islands, referred to as “practice partners.”

“We identify individuals with strong training—often with experience from institutions in the United States—and collaborate with them. We support their services and integrate them into our telemedicine infrastructure,” Dr Madu shared.

For example, in St Kitts and Nevis, HIC has partnered with a physician trained in internal medicine in the US.

“Patients in St Kitts first see this practice partner,” he explained.

“Then, through our telemedicine platform, our doctors in Jamaica can review cases and provide guidance in real time. This allows us to deliver essential services remotely while ensuring that patients receive the expertise they need without having to travel.”

HIC’s international collaborations have not only elevated the quality of care in Jamaica but have also brought global recognition to the island. The institute has hosted cardiology fellows from prestigious institutions like Yale, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in a resource-constrained setting.

“When those fellows return to Yale, they take what they’ve learned here and apply it in their practices,” said Dr Madu.

“It’s a two-way exchange of knowledge that benefits everyone.”

HIC has also been at the forefront of research into cardiac amyloidosis, a condition disproportionately affecting people of African descent. By partnering with Northern Caribbean University and other institutions, HIC is advancing treatments that were once inaccessible to most Jamaicans.