Spas are an important segment of Serbia’s natural assets

Posted on September 23, 2013 | Comments Off on Spas are an important segment of Serbia’s natural assets

Spas are an important segment of Serbia’s natural assets and one of its major development trump cards, due to the fact that half of the tourist turnover in Serbia is actually health tourism.

The Serbian government has recognized the significance of this segment of tourism in Serbia and the whole of the Balkans, said Serbian Parliament Speaker Nebojša Stefanović, opening the Third Balkan Spa Summit in Aranđelovac, central Serbia. Jelena Gligorić has more.

From 5 to 8 September, Serbia is hosting the most important event in the sphere of health tourism in the Balkans, which has gathered ten countries of the region. Consultations, education, exchange of experience, good practice examples and agreements represent a course towards a merge of medicine and tourism and the deletion of borders between recreation and treatment. Considering the historical, cultural and demographic similarities and centuries-long geographical connections, the Balkan Spa Summit represents a chance for the creation of a new tourist product, attractive for tourists in search of new destinations. Tourism represents a pillar of economic development of society as a whole, so it must involve all the Balkan countries, said Stefanović.

Tourism is one of the important factors of efficient economic growth and development and, as such, represents a most valuable natural and social asset. All the economic and political ideas in common will strengthen our region and each country therein. If we approach the big tourist markets together, we could become a favourite destination even in countries where we are not sufficiently known, he said.

The gathering is organized by the Serbian Spa Association. The president of the Association, Dejan Stanojević, emphasized that in the creation of this strategic export product of the Balkans one of the most important goals is the standardization of spa services and the promotion of Balkan spas.
The most efficient way to introduce standards in our spas is a unique education of staff in medical and non-medical fields. Therefore I regard a future Balkan Spa Academy as our major task and I expect all to help in its foundation and subsequent activities as much as they can, he said. At the opening of the Third Balkan Spa Summit, the secretary of the Serbian Spa Association, Vladan Vešković,presented recognitions for years-long successful work to members celebrating their anniversaries this year and having merit for the fact that Serbian balneology is among the best in Europe.

The Association plays an important role in the creation of conditions for successful spa tourism and business in Serbia.
The Third Balkan Spa Summit has gathered the largest number of countries so far and represents an opportunity for guests to get to know and enjoy the natural beauties of Aranđelovac, Bukovička banja spa and this part of the central Serbian Šumadija region. There are more than 40 spa and climatic resorts in Serbia, which are mostly visited with a view to prevention of diseases, but also for the purpose of recreation and hiking.

Serbian spas also boast rich cultural and historical heritage of national and international importance, which is another reason why Serbia should live in tourism and on tourism, it was emphasized at the opening ceremony, held in the Izvor hotel in Aranđelovac, which is the only five-star hotel in Serbian spas. Radio Srbija.

source: http://www.balkans.com / Balkans.com  Business News / Home> Business Section , Business News Correspondent / September 12th, 2013

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Posted in Wellness Tourism

Medical tourism picking up in S Gujarat

Posted on September 22, 2013 | Comments Off on Medical tourism picking up in S Gujarat

Surat :

Dr Harshad Joshi, a knee replacement surgeon, would be performing nearly 200 surgeries during November-December.

Around 70 per cent of his patients who would be operated upon during this period are non-resident Gujaratis (NRGs) from the USA, the UK, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Specialized and planned surgeries have become a lucrative business for the city doctors. Also medical tourism is picking up in south Gujarat.

Five years ago, just 10 per cent of NRGs from south Gujarat used to plan medical treatment to coincide with visit to their native places. Now, this percentage has gone up to 60 per cent, medical fraternity sources said.

In south Gujarat, the peak months for the NRG visit are November, December, January and February. It is during this period that the doctors work overtime to attend to the huge number of patients coming for ophthalmology, knee and joint replacements and spine surgeries.

“A simple Lasik treatment that costs $ 3,000 abroad can be done here for Rs 25,000. With falling rupee, it is not only affordable but more than affordable for the NRGs,” said Dr Paresh Vaidya, ophthalmologist.

A simple knee-joint implant is available for Rs 90,000 in India as against $80000 in foreign countries. As a result, many NRG patients, who are without insurance in the USA and the UK, pre-plan their treatment during the visit to their home towns in India.

Dr Harshad Joshi, a knee-replacement expert, told TOI, “The treatment here is affordable. It is a huge saving for the NRGs. We have started receiving bookings from NRIs in South Africa and the UK.”

Cervical disc surgery is done in Surat for Rs 1.5 lakh. But, it costs nothing less than $10,000 abroad.

“The cases of NRGs coming to India for spinal surgeries have gone up. It is not as big compared to knee-replacement or eye surgery cases, but there has been a steady 10 per cent increase year-on-year basis,” said Dr KC Jain, a neuro-surgeon.

source:  http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Surat> Medical Tourism / by Himanshu Bhatt & Melvyn Reggie Thomas, TNN / September 13th, 2013

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Posted in Health /Medical Treatment For Overseas Treatment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Medical Treatment/Health Treatment Subject By Speciality, Travelling For Surgery Abroad / Medical Surgery Overseas

Malaysia attracts 700,000 tourists for medical tourism

Posted on September 21, 2013 | Comments Off on Malaysia attracts 700,000 tourists for medical tourism

Kuala Lumpur :

Malaysia hopes to earn RM630 million from medical tourism this year from the rising number of patients flying in for healthcare, with 11 more hospitals being built to get a larger slice of the regional market.

Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) chief executive Dr Mary Wong has said the number of medical tourists jumped from 392,000 in 2010 to 671,000 in 2012.

The council expects to receive 700,000 medical visitors this year.

“This is the way forward. It is a very sustainable economic industry.

“Whether there is recession or no recession, in an up or down economy, when you’re not well, you need to see a doctor,” Dr Wong told a press conference in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya Thursday.

She said the government was confident that it can attract more medical tourists, citing the country’s relatively lower medical bills as a factor that would woo visitors.

Data from the council has shown the market growing in revenue from RM511 million in 2011 to RM594 million last year.

The global medical tourism market is worth from US$40 billion or RM130.2 billion to US$60 billion or RM195.3 billion with an estimated 7 million people flying annually to make such trips.

The agency’s lower expectation with its forecast this year stems from the gloomy economic conditions, with medical tourism viewed as a form of luxury for the affluent.

Analysts said it was not surprising for patients to delay non-emergency treatment during an economic downturn, as seen in neighbouring Thailand when its medical tourism industry earnings fell in 2008 after the global financial crisis hit.

In Malaysia, despite tough economic times the government is still pushing for the industry’s growth as one of the routes to generate income for the economy. (QNA)

source: http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com / The Peninsula / Home / Friday – September 13th, 2013

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

Bali and Beyond Medical Tourism – BIMC Hospital Helps West Flores Create a Modern Emergency Medical Facility

Posted on September 20, 2013 | Comments Off on Bali and Beyond Medical Tourism – BIMC Hospital Helps West Flores Create a Modern Emergency Medical Facility

BaliCT20sept2013

BIMC Hospitals of Bali are working closely with the local Health Department of Manggarai Barat, East Nusa Tenggara to support the successful operation of Sail Komodo 2013. 

Renovating an existing government health clinic, the Bali-based hospitals are establishing international standard procedures for emergency room treatment of trauma patients.
The cooperation between BIMC, organizers of Sail Komodo 2013 and the regency government of Manggarai Barat will not only provide much-needed medical support to visiting yachtsmen but also achieve long-term better health care for the people of Labuhan Bajo.
Labuhan is the gateway to the Komodo National Park, exclusive home to the large dragon-like retiles found only in this area. Most tourists destined for the Komodo approach the Park via Labuhan Bajo’sKomodo Airport. The areas surrounding Labuhan Bajo contains a number of unique and interesting tourist sites, in addition to the popular national park located on a number of islands just to the west.
In renovating the existing community health center in Labuhan Bajo,BIMC Hospitals donated patient beds for the treatment and observation rooms, medical equipments for the consultation room,  created an emergency room, procedures room, ward rooms, a sterilization unit, an Advanced Life Support Ambulance and a stock of medical supplies.
“It is part of our commitment as the pioneer of Medical Tourism facility in Indonesia. We also aim to support medical services improvement in Indonesia,” said Deddy Suhartawan, the BIMC’s deputy general manager marketing.
To date, BIMC have spent approximately Rp. 550,000,000 on the Labuhan Bajo project.
In the lead up to Sail Komodo 2013, the Australian-owned and managed hospital sent a medical team to train the clinic’s staff.  The team will also be stationed at the clinic during the international sailing event, which will peak on September 14, 2013.
“The support (of BIMC) is very valuable for us and for the success of Sail Komodo 2013. We hope the cooperation will continue in the future,” said Dr. Imaculata Djelulut, head of Health Department of Manggarai Barat.
Sailors from all over the world will participate in Sail Komodo 2013 with 130 different countries registered to sail the waters of Eastern Indonesia.
source: http://www.balidiscovery.com / Bali Discovery Tours / Home> News / September 09th, 2013

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

Gallery

Middle East: Medical Conference Relocates from Monaco to Dubai

Posted on September 19, 2013

This gallery contains 1 photos.

Dubai’s credentials as both a medical tourism and business hub have received a further boost by winning the next installment of the International Medical Travel Exhibition and Conference (IMTEC), which is set to take place at the Dubai International Convention Centre form … Continue reading →

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