Category Archives: Health /Medical Treatment For Overseas Treatment

St. Luke’s boss wants to lure more medical tourists

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Manila :

The Philippines is poised to become one of the world’s top medical tourism destinations in the next 10 years, as the government completes its infrastructure build, the head of one of the country’s largest hospitals said Friday.

The country currently ranks eighth among medical tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, behind Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, said St. Luke’s Medical Center president Edgardo Cortez.

“Infrastructure for tourism is being developed, but I don’t think we have reached a point where we can say we are as developed as some of the Asian countries like Singapore. But indeed when it comes to capability of our hospitals, a few hospitals in Metro Manila are actually great,” he told ANC’s “The Boss.”

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Cortez said his goal is to match healthcare expenses of medical tourists with those of local patients without sacrificing the delivery of service.

St. Luke’s recently opened a coordinating office in Guam to facilitate booking and doctor appointments, Cortez said.

About 98 percent of medical tourists in the Philippines are from the US territory in the Pacific, he said.

source:  http://www.news.abs-cbn.com / ABS-CBN News / by Cathy Yang, ABS-CBN News / February 17th, 2017

It was cotton but now it’s medical tourism

Los Algodones receives over 100,000 medical tourists a year 

Eye doctors and dentists dominate a block in Los Algodones.

Eye doctors and dentists dominate a block in Los Algodones.

The population of the small border town of Los Algodones, Baja California, is now seeing its annual seasonal increase, as are many Mexican destinations. The difference here is that the visitors come for medical reasons.

Located about 50 kilometers from the state capital of Mexicali, Los Algodones was originally an agricultural town dedicated to the harvest of cotton, hence the name. But the economy started shifting after the first medical consultation office opened in 1986. Thirty years later, the medical tourism boom is far from over.

The season begins in December and stretches until March, driven by Americans and Canadians traveling south for dental and other medical services and cheaper medications.

Known also as Vicente Guerrero, the town’s economy is centered around a three or four-block stretch on five streets where visitors spend an estimated US $6 million annually. Its population numbers just 4,000 but it boasts some 350 medical clinics.

Los Algodones in particular and Mexico in general are preferred by patients from abroad for the lower costs of all medical services.

Oncologist José Luis Díaz Barbosa offered the example of a young leukemia patient he treated. “In one month her parents spent $2 million [in the United States].”

Having depleted their insurance, the child was brought to Díaz, whom they paid only $10,000. “It’s a big difference,” said the medical specialist.

“The United States has left behind its retired people, along with those of Latin origin. They are not properly cared for, and everything is more expensive there, that’s why they come to Mexico,” Díaz said.

Francisco is a Mexican dental patient, but a resident of Santa Rosa, California.

“Dental care there [in the United States] is extremely expensive . . . without insurance, a single crown costs between $2,500 and $3,000. In Los Algodones, the price is $250 or $300.”

Another patient, Ronny, found a similarly cheaper price. “They were charging me $60,000 [in the U.S.], but I paid, more or less, some $6,000.”

American visitors usually cross the border on foot. Once on the Mexican side they are offered medical and dental services by salesmen with good English.

Los Algodones has some 400 dentists, of whom one estimates that 70% of their patients are American. “The rest are from Canada, and many stay here three to five months.”

source:  http://www.mexiconewsdaily.com / Mexico News Daily / Saturday – December 17th, 2016

AIMS becomes referral hospital for Madagascar citizens

Kochi :

Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) has been appointed as a referral hospital for the citizens of Madagascar, the island nation off the south-east coast of Africa with a population of about 2.2 crore people. An agreement to this effect was signed by the hospital with the  Medical Council of Madagascar (MCM). Under the collaboration, patients from Madagascar would be sent to AIMS for advanced treatment and surgeries. The pact also involves a student-exchange program in which medical students from the island nation would be given advanced training at the hospital in complex surgeries and procedures.

Dr Nadia Estelle, Vice President, Medical Council of Madagascar, “We are impressed with the advanced treatment facilities at AIMS and the technology it offers. This level of healthcare is not available in Madagascar. Our patients, who need advanced treatment and surgical procedures, will benefit from this collaboration. We would also send medical students here for training in specialized surgical skills.”

Dr Prem Nair, Medical Director, AIMS said, “This collaboration is a win-win for both. The people of Madagascar will get access to advanced healthcare at a very competitive cost compared to the West, which will help save lives. The arrangement will also strengthen medical tourism in India and spread the word about advanced Indian medical facilities in other African nations.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Kochi / Preetu Nair / TNN / October 13th, 2016

Centre promoting medical tourism in a big way: Mahesh Sharma

Medical tourism has witnessed a growth of around 28 per cent in the last three years, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma today said and asserted that the Centre is promoting this sector in a “big way” by initiating the process of granting e-medical visas for tourists.

Sharma had earlier this year, chaired the first meeting of the National Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board and assured all help to the stakeholders, including easing of visa process for such travellers. (PTI)

Sharma had earlier this year, chaired the first meeting of the National Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board and assured all help to the stakeholders, including easing of visa process for such travellers. (PTI)

Medical tourism has witnessed a growth of around 28 per cent in the last three years, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma today said and asserted that the Centre is promoting this sector in a “big way” by initiating the process of granting e-medical visas for tourists.

Observing that medical tourism can become the strength of India, Sharma said that to promote this sector, a national medical and wellness tourism board has also been constituted.

“Medical tourism can be the strength of India. We have a growth of 23-28 per cent in last three years in medical tourism. We are trying to address medical tourism in India in a big way by initiating the process of e-medical visa…
“…and forming a national medical and wellness tourism board where we propose that all of our healthcare institutions which will be providing medical tourism facilities to tourists they will be standardised…,” he said.

He was speaking at the 3rd International Congress of the World Coalition for Trauma Care and 8th Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Trauma and Acute care.

Sharma had earlier this year, chaired the first meeting of the National Medical and Wellness Tourism Promotion Board and assured all help to the stakeholders, including easing of visa process for such travellers.

Speaking on trauma care, Sharma said that the government is trying to address various issues including non-availability of ambulances and bureaucratic problems.

Noting that there has been an increase in both traffic and value of life, Sharma said that trauma services play a big role in the ‘golden hours’ and there is a need to update and upgrade to meet the challenges and new requirements in this field.

He noted that medical profession is facing a crisis not only in India but also worldwide and there are issues like consumer protection laws worldwide, students not opting for medical profession and working conditions of doctors among others.

source: http://www.financialexpress.com / The Financial Express / Home> Lifestyle> Travel tourism / by PTI / August 18th, 2016

National Geographic Ranks Merzouga as 4th Best Destination for Health Tourism

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Rabat :

In its August/September 2016 edition, National Geographic Traveler Magazine ranks the Moroccan touristic village of Merzouga as the 4th best destination for health tourism.

The exquisite presentation of this famous touristic spot appears in page 66 of the magazine’s latest edition and eloquently describes the different phases of the sand bath operation that attracts international tourists.

“Think of it as a sand bath. During the sweltering months of July and August, blue-turbaned Berbers dig bathtub size holes, in the ocher Sahara sand, wait for the grains to heat up in the sun, and then bury customers up to their necks. Participants stay in the ground for about 10 minutes and are afterwards wrapped in blankets for an hour before being served tea for rehydration.”

The magazine also discusses the health benefit of this practice, stating that “the sweaty sauna-like treatment soothes muscles” and informs readers that “most hotels in the area, including the castle-like ‘Ksar Merzouga’ can organize a ‘bain de sable.’”

The first three attractions for health tourism, according to the same magazine, are Quebec City in Canada, Aguas Calientes in Peru and Bath in England.

The sand bath, although very specific to the area, is not the only thing that draws tourists to this attraction. Merzouga is also known for its magical Berber culture and traditions as well as romantic camel safaris that travel 350-meter dunes.

As to its geographic location and specificities, Merzouga is located on the edge of Erge Chebbi, a large area characterized by high sand dunes in southeastern Morocco, around 50 km close to the Algerian border.

Because of its location in the Sahara Desert, the temperature reaches 48 °C in the months of July and August. During winter months, the weather is cool and sunny, whereas in spring, the temperature fluctuates between 25 and 30 °C.

Edited by Ghita Benslimane

source: http://www.moroccoworldnews.com / Morocco World News / Home> Culture / by Ezzoubeir Jabrane , Edited by Ghita Benslimane / August 10th, 2016