Category Archives: Medical Tourism/Health Tourism

Diaspora to Play Key Role in Success of Health Tourism

Posted on May 12, 2013 | Comments Off on Diaspora to Play Key Role in Success of Health Tourism
Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, says discussions are advanced with nationals abroad for health tourism projects in the island

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, says discussions are advanced with nationals abroad for health tourism projects in the island

The Jamaican Diaspora is expected to play a key role in the development of health tourism in the island.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. Arnaldo Brown, said that discussions are far advanced with nationals abroad for the realization of health tourism projects in the island.

Already, Cabinet has approved the construction of a US$200 million medical facility in St. James, which will be spearheaded by the Diaspora.

Speaking at a recent JIS Think Tank, the Foreign Affairs State Minister said that health is “one of the areas that the Diaspora is strongest in”.

He noted that nationals abroad have made significant contributions to the health sector through various means, including medical missions, and the donation of equipment to hospitals and other facilities.

He informed that there were 132 medical missions to Jamaica in 2012 and 135 in 2011, many of which were spearheaded by the Diaspora.

Mr. Brown said that there is an established process to allow for the smooth movement of medical equipment into the country, noting that there is a drive to donate 1,000 blood pressure machines to medical facilities in the island.

The State Minister told JIS News that a team of Canadian health professionals visited Jamaica in March, and conducted an audit of hospitals to see what equipment and furnishings were needed, and they are putting containers together to address those needs.

He informed that he also met with officials at the Sony Brook Hospital in Canada, during a recent visit to the country, where discussions focused on donations, training, and the sharing of knowledge and information.

source: http://www.jis.gov.jm / Jamaica Information Service / By Toni-Ann Rankine, PR Officer / Home /  Saturday, May 11th, 2013

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Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism

First DNA clinic on Saadiyat to boost Abu Dhabi health & wellness tourism

Posted on May 10, 2013 | Comments Off on First DNA clinic on Saadiyat to boost Abu Dhabi health & wellness tourism
Photo caption: (L-R) Dr. Ahsan Malik, Managing Director, DNA Health LLC; Dr. Nasim Ashraf, Chairman & CEO, DNA Health Corp and Dr. Jack Kornberg, Medical Director, DNA Center for Integrative Medicine & Wellness

Photo caption: (L-R) Dr. Ahsan Malik, Managing Director, DNA Health LLC; Dr. Nasim Ashraf, Chairman & CEO, DNA Health Corp and Dr. Jack Kornberg, Medical Director, DNA Center for Integrative Medicine & Wellness

US-headquartered integrative health and wellness specialists, DNA Health Corp, is set to open its first overseas flagship center on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island in June, targeting both the region’s residents and visitors looking for a different approach to personalised health and wellness.

The DNA Center for Integrative Medicine & Wellness, which will be inaugurated by HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Culture, Youth & Community on 14 May, will showcase its capabilities during a press conference at the Arabian Travel Market 2013, where a panel of senior executives, led by DNA Health Corp Chairman & CEO, Dr Nasim Ashraf, will introduce the company’s 21st century model for preventive healthcare.

“Abu Dhabi is the first step of our phased five-year plan for global expansion, and we are looking at opening similar DNA Centers in Saudi Arabia and Turkey within the next 12 to 18 months. We chose to launch in the UAE capital as it is a hub for the region, is well served by numerous international carriers and an emerging destination of distinction for health and wellness tourism,” said Dr Ashraf.

According to hospitality research consultancy SRI, the global wellness tourism market is estimated to be worth more than US$106 billion.

DNA Health’s philosophy is to deliver the highest standards of US healthcare protocol based on integrative, functional and lifestyle medicinal approaches for the treatment of chronic disease, healthy aging and lifestyle management. The centre will offer personalised lifestyle medicine programmes based on a holistic approach uniting leading-edge Western medicine, advanced diagnostics and clinical therapies, complemented by centuries-old Eastern healing traditions and philosophies.

“Our main target markets are the GCC countries, with a strong focus on Saudi Arabia, followed by inbound business from Russia, the former CIS countries, Germany and China; and we are already seeing strong advance interest in the UAE,” said Ashraf.

“We are committed to establishing a centre of excellence for health and wellness in the region, and proactively complementing the local healthcare infrastructure, by providing the highest standards of US healthcare protocols for the treatment of chronic diseases, lifestyle management, bio-aesthetics and healthy aging,” he added.

Joining Dr Ashraf at the press conference to talk about the DNA Center and the wellness packages on offer, will be Medical Director, Dr Jack Kornberg and DNA’s resident Bio-aesthetician, Dorrie Emrick, who has worked with Hollywood’s renowned bio-aesthetician to the stars, Jamie Sherrill.

The name behind the center’s exclusive collection of non-invasive bio-aesthetic therapies and anti-aging treatments, this is the first time that Jamie Sherrill’s range of signature treatments and beauty products has been available in the region.

DNA’s portfolio of foundational ‘DNA 4 Life’ personalised lifestyle medicine packages, which include five-star hotel accommodation, are based on each individual guest’s genomic and DNA profiles, and key laboratory tests, giving a comprehensive assessment of each guest’s current state of health.

The DNA centre’s dedicated team of clinical specialists and functional medicine experts – as well as nutritionist, personal trainer and lifestyle educator – then work with guests to design a personalised wellness treatment programme, aimed at preventing and managing chronic disease and creating positive life-long habits to transform wellbeing.

The four-day ‘DNA 4 Life’ all-inclusive medical programmes and hospitality packages include return limousine airport transfers from either Abu Dhabi or Dubai International Airports; luxury accommodation on Saadiyat Island; personalised main meals and signature spa and leisure activities.

“The DNA 4 Life packages can also be extended to seven, 14 and 21 days, in response to demand from tour operators from Germany and Russia, which are actively seeking health and wellness holidays. They want a choice of lengthy health programmes in a warm sunny climate, complete with bio-aesthetic treatments to go home refreshed, tanned as well as looking and feeling ten years younger,” added Dr Ashraf.

source: http://www.etravelblackboard.com / e Travel BlackBoard / Home> Asia Edition> Destination News / Wednesday – May 08th, 2013

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Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Wellness Tourism

Tourism project for island off Doha

Posted on May 9, 2013 | Comments Off on Tourism project for island off Doha

Qatar-based hospitality giant Katara Hospitality is to develop an island near the Ritz-Carlton Doha as an international tourist spot and open hotels in Paris and Milan in the coming months.
Katara Hospitality CEO Hamad Abdulla al-Mulla  told Gulf Times in an interview on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai that the island, owned by the group near Ritz, would be either developed as a  fashion centre or a medical tourism hub.  He also said that Katara Hospitality planned to launch about 10 hotels in the next 10 years.

Hamad Abdulla al-Mulla: Katara Hospitality CEO

Hamad Abdulla al-Mulla: Katara Hospitality CEO

“The hotel in Paris will be opened in the first week of June and in September this year another hotel in Milan will be launched. Katara Hospitality is the only group that is opening so many hotels each year in the recent times.” 
Al-Mulla said the group was ready to operate the Milan hotel at any time. “From our side we are ready and we have got all the requirements to start the hotel. If there is any delay from the contractor’s side, we will open it by the first quarter of 2014.”
He further said the island off Doha would be developed into a “unique” project. “We are exploring the possibility of turning it into a unique place so that people from all over the world will fly to Qatar to experience it. We are looking for the possibilities of turning it into a fashion centre or medical tourism place or any such grand  project which will be known internationally. Once we finalise the project, we will entrust it to the right people to develop it .”

He  disclosed that Doha Sheraton would be closed for major renovation and  rebranded once the work was completed. “Doha Sheraton will be closed for two years for major renovation from 2014-2016. Once the renovation is completed, it will be rebranded but the operator will continue to be the same.”
As for the Lusail project, al-Mulla said it would be completed according to schedule.  “The Lusail hotel will be the landmark of Qatar and Katara Hospitality.  It will  be completed, latest by early 2017. At any cost we will start operations from 2017.”
He said that the hotel would be operated by Katara Hospitality. “We will be operating the hotel and we want to show to others that we can do it like any other operator. Similarly, we will be operating other hotels under our group in later years.”
The CEO said Katara Hospitality had property worth  QR150bn. “The group will have  around 6,000 employees by 2014.”

As for the projects in Gambia and Maldives, al-Mulla said  the group was ready to start the projects. “However, we are evaluating the market and  studying the feasibility before starting the project. According to the market evaluation, we will start the project. We will be there very soon.”
Operational hotels like Raffles Singapore, Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, Schweizerhof Bern and upcoming hotels like Excelsior Gallia Milan, Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, Royal Savoy Lausanne or The Peninsula Paris are hospitality jewels that are now part of Katara Hospitality portfolio.

source: http://www.gulf-times.com / Gulf Times / by Joseph Varghese, Staff Reporter / Doha, Qatar – May 07th, 2013

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Posted in Health /Medical Treatment For Overseas Treatment, Healthcare Cities, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Medical Treatment/Health Treatment Subject By Speciality, Reports,Features, Statistics, Travelling For Surgery Abroad / Medical Surgery Overseas

Medical tourists from BD to Thailand mark rise

Posted on May 7, 2013 | Comments Off on Medical tourists from BD to Thailand mark rise

The number of medical tourists from Bangladesh to Thailand is increasing day by day, according to statistics of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), a Thai government agency responsible for its tourism promotion.

In 1997, approximately 32,213 Bangladeshis went to Thailand for health and medical treatment while the number rose to about 55,000 in 2011, registering average growth of about 4 per cent a year, as per the data provided by TAT official.

According to the TAT data, most the Bangladeshi tourists to Thailand went there for medical and health services.

In the overall tourism sector, about 65,150 persons from Bangladesh visited Thailand in 2011. Out of the number, approximately 55,000 Bangladeshis went for medical and health services in the same year, as per the data.

“The trend of Bangladeshi tourists of going to Thailand for health services is due mainly to better quality health services at cheaper rate there”, Runjuan Tongrut, Director, North and East India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal of the TAT, told the FE recently in Dhaka.

She also attributed the growth of Bangladeshis visit to Thailand to the ‘friendly Thai people’ and convenient travelling such as Thai Airways fly to Bangkok every day, and it takes only 2.30 hours.

Bangladeshis went to Thailand for the different medical treatments including comprehensive check-up (popular), ob-gynecology, gastroenterology, cardiology and neurology. Ms Runjuan said.

In Dhaka, there are many Thai hospital representatives or sales agents such as Bumrungrad hospital, she continued.

The TAT representative expected continuation of the growth of Bangladeshi medical tourists to Thailand at the rate of 10 per cent in the years coming.

When contacted, Mohammad Ehsanul Kabir (Bappi), deputy manager of Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), told the FE Saturday that Bangladesh’s medical services is also better. However, there is a lack of confidence and trust on the medical services in our country.

Mr Kabir also saw bright future of medical tourism in Bangladesh; for that the country need to give attention to the sector to more increase the services and amplify the people’s confidence on the facilities.

Laying stress on taking effective initiatives from both the public and private sectors in this connection, he said there are huge opportunities of saving and earning foreign currency by developing the tourism sector.

Apart from the medical tourism, in the overall tourism sector about 72,897 Bangladeshis went Thailand in 22012, recording 11.89 per cent growth over the previous year. While the number of Bangladeshi tourists in Thailand was about 65,150 in 2011, 68,018 in 2010, 53,420 in 2009 and 46,682 in 2008.

The popular destinations for Bangladeshis to Thailand include Bangkok , Pattaya and Phuket, Ms Runjuan said, adding that the Bangladeshis tourists to Thailand are mostly family, meeting and incentive group (MICE), shopping and health tourism.

Beautiful beaches, colorful Bangkok, reasonable price for shopping, suitable country for all including men, family, kid and women attracted the people to visit Thailand, she added.

source: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com / The Financial Express / Home> FE Stock & Corporate / by Mohammad Ali / Monday, March 18th, 2013

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Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism

Medical tourism is serious business

Posted on May 6, 2013 | Comments Off on Medical tourism is serious business

The concept of medical tourism in a nutshell is the movement of patients from expensive territories to cheaper destinations in order to undergo procedures.

In this way, healthcare costs can be significantly reduced for the patient whilst the destinations also benefit from not just the direct costs associated with procedures but a raft of secondary effects.

Those who can benefit come in several stages including those in construction, consultants, engineers and utilities as infrastructure is built. Government benefits from the taxation and duties payable with the exception of specific exclusion incentives.

Should staff be local, money remains in the economy to a great extent and if from off-island their spending whilst on-island extends to their own utilities, leisure, rent and cost of living spend.

Secondly, once a facility is established, workers are needed to staff it. Whilst Cayman may not be able to supply specific specialists, there is also a need for nurses, carers, kitchen, administration, cleaning and security staff. Suppliers of food and other goods could benefit from the increased activity, leading to an economic stimulus.

Any imported specialists would also need housing with the attendant second order effects on the rental and accommodations industry, with possibilities that new build housing be established for the same reasons.

Following the undergoing of procedures, it is felt that the beaches and atmosphere of the venue are an ideal way to recuperate. Therefore, the tourism industry proper comes into play at this stage.

Cayman Airways and other airlines would be required to service areas of the greatest demand, which would be likely to add significant aircraft movement to Owen Roberts International Airport, which would reopen the discussion about runway extension and landside facility revamping. Facilities would need to be refined for people unable to stand or queue through immigration. There may also be a need for an investment in the road system in order to obviate any potential gridlock issues at peak times.

source: http://www.compasscayman.com / Cay Compass.com / Home> Article / by Joe Shooman   joe@cfp.ky / April 30th, 2013

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Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Others, Reports,Features, Statistics