US$170m Medical Tourism Facility For St James

Posted on February 20, 2013 | Comments Off on US$170m Medical Tourism Facility For St James

Investment promotions agency , JAMPRO, has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with American Global MD (AGMD) for the country’s first ‘five-star’ medical tourism facility  valued at US$170 million.

John Marcocchio, the local project manager and director of Implementation Limited, said Thursday that the project is likely to break ground in 12 to 18 months after design is completed and construction approvals have been received.

Under the first phase of the project, a 50-75 bed facility will be constructed to offer plastic and cosmetic surgery, bariatric services and dental specialties.

Marcocchio said that the facility will be located within the elegant corridor in the parish of St James but said the site is yet to be selected.

“We have it do the design development process and submission for building permission. In Jamaica  that can take anywhere up to 18 months, the project manager said.

The deal took one year to put together, he said.

AGMD is a consortium of American-trained physicians and investors, all of whom have Jamaican links as a result of having previously studied or practiced in the country.

“Under the MOU, AGMD will build a fully ‘amenitised’ 200-bed hospital and medical facility that will target the North American and  Caribbean markets . The investment upon completion will provide employment opportunities for Jamaican doctors, nurses and other medical related personnel, delivering services ranging from elective surgeries, rehabilitation and naturopathy,” Jampro said in a release on the development on Thursday.

Jampro notes that the Government’s Health & Wellness Tourism Policy that was informed by a cross-ministerial team, seeks to lay out the framework for positioning Jamaica as the newest destination for medical and wellness tourism.

“These efforts were set in train by a comprehensive Jampro-led study of the industry’s potential that was completed in 2011, with the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat . Most recently, Cabinet has approved the mechanism for the development of the medical tourism industry and will be establishing a steering committee with major industry stakeholders to guide the finalization of the policy and regulatory framework,” the agency said.

Globally, the medical tourism industry was valued at over US$40 billion in 2010, with major markets in the industry generating over 1.5 million medical tourists, the investment agency said.

Implementation Limited, which specialises in project management, operates offices in Kingston and Ocho Rios.

“I met American Global when they were seeking a Caribbean location. With the assistance of JAMPRO the doctors decided to do the project in Jamaica,” said Marcocchio, who is Jamaican.

source: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com / The Gleaner / Home> Latest Business / by Avia Collinder, Business Writer / Thursday, February 14th, 2013

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

Nigeria plans $650mn hospital in Abuja to check medical tourism

Posted on February 20, 2013 | Comments Off on Nigeria plans $650mn hospital in Abuja to check medical tourism

copyright: APA

A representative of IBT Group, promoters of the hospital project, Mr. Daniel Toledano, said on Tuesday in Abuja after making a presentation on the project to Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, that the hospital, which will be the first of its kind in Africa, would make Nigeria a medical tourists centre in Africa in terms of capacity and personnel to cater for, at least, 2 million patients at a time.

He said that the IBT Group, which will handle the project alongside Sumolex and KMD Architects, has over 35 years experience in turnkey projects in 21 countries across the globe.

While Nigeria loses over US$500 million yearly to medical tourism abroad, he said that capital plight per patient ranged between US$20,000 and US$40,000 per trip.

“The objectives of the project include provision of the first level three medical care facility in Nigeria and to relocate high-complexity medical care to Abuja Medical City,” he said.

The proposed 1,687-bed hospital, the minister said, would include 763 beds for a trauma centre, 300 beds for amenities care pavilion; 524 beds for a pediatric section and 100 beds for a physiotherapy and rehabilitation section.

In his remarks, the spokesman for IBT Group of Companies, Mr. Dumebi Kachikwu, said that the Abuja Medical City, which will become operational six months to its completion date, would cost US$650 million.

Defining the operational model for the proposed hospital, Dr. Isioma Okobah, a Nigerian medical doctor based in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States of America, said, “We can attract our doctors in the Diaspora back home and there won’t be need for medical tourism abroad because they will provide the same services here and get the same pay they are getting now.”

Responding, the minister said that the proposal was in line with the plan of the Federal Government towards checking medical tourism abroad and providing world class healthcare services for Nigerians.

The project is expected to be completed between 24 and 36 months

source: http://www.en.starafrica.com / Star Africa.com / Home> Africa / posted by APA / February 13th, 2013

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

ESI Las Vegas Introduces the 2013 Spa & Wellnesss Trade Show

Posted on February 19, 2013 | Comments Off on ESI Las Vegas Introduces the 2013 Spa & Wellnesss Trade Show

The Leading Educational and Experiential Trade Show for all Professionals and Owners in Esthetics and Spa

Las Vegas, NV , February 15, 2013

According to the Global Spa & Wellness Summit  the #1 problem in the spa industry is the lack of quality, affordable education. Leading spa trade show  Esthetique Spa International (ESI)  is proud to announce their upcoming educational spa show in Las Vegas February 24 – 25 at the  Venetian Hotel /Sands Expo. ESI provides the best education at the most affordable price in the industry for spa managers, estheticians and massage therapists for only $60 per person for two days.

The theme for this year’s show is The 6T’s of Success. Says ESI Founder Bernard Renaud, “In order to be successful in the spa and wellness industry, we need to deliver products and treatments. Therefore, we need to know about the latest trends, techniques, and technologies. With quality training and developing trust, together we can raise the bar across the industry.

The Education
The line-up of Pro-Educators includes top thought leaders and spa directors from some of the largest and most renowned spa and wellness resorts. Speakers include Jeremy McCarthy , Director of Global Spa Development at Starwood Hotels and Resorts; Ella Stimpson , Chairwoman of the International Spa Association (ISPA) and the Executive Director of Spa and Salon Operations at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas; Michael Tompkins , CEO of  Miraval Resorts  and  Sallie Fraenkel , Executive Vice President of SpaFinder Wellness, to name a few. Additional speakers are listed on the website.

New in 2013: Day Spa Panel Discussion
Day spas are key players in the growing spa and wellness industry. Listen to Michael Tompkins, CEO of Miraval Resorts; Blake Feeney , Director of Spa and Wellness at Terranea Resorts; and Ben Campsey , Director of Finance at the Umstead Hotel  and Spa will bring 55 years of combined experience to the panel discussion table.

New in 2013: Complimentary On-Site Spa Treatments During the ESI Experience, it’s the spa leaders’ turn to be pampered. Over 75% of attendee respondents from ESI’s 2012 survey reported they are “interested in experiencing a new product or service” during the trade show. The ability to see, hear, taste, touch and feel a product and/or service is crucial to business success. “This is the very reason why trade shows remain important,” says Renaud. “A personal experience with a spa product or service is what maximizes understanding, creates a memorable experience and helps foster relationships.”

ESI Las Vegas Mobile App & Giveaways
ESI partnered with GoMobileNow to provide up-to-the-minute information to attendees via a Mobile App. Features will include Conference Registration, Schedule of Events, List of Speakers, Floor Plan, List of Exhibitors and hundreds of giveaways.

Watch the 3 minute promo video

source: http://www.sfgate.com / San Francisco Chronicle  /Home> Business /

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Posted in Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment, Wellness Tourism

Vitals healthy for UAE’s billion-dirham growth in medical tourism

Posted on February 18, 2013 | Comments Off on Vitals healthy for UAE’s billion-dirham growth in medical tourism

Medical tourism market slated to grow at 7% this year; healthcare spending to hit $16.8bn by 2015

The UAE is fast developing into a top draw for medical tourism in the region, with latest research estimating the market valuation at $1.6 billion, with a seven per cent growth expected by end of 2013 as per market research firm, Euromonitor.

This is only fuelled further by the Economic Intelligence Unit Estimates, which calculates the UAE’s healthcare spending to rise to a whopping $16.8bn by 2015.

While researchers can crunch on these figures, the spending is a clear outline of the Masterplan 2020 that will peg the country as one of the top medical tourism destinations in the world.

Speaking at the ongoing Arab Health Congress, Dubai Health Authority Director General Essa Al Haj Al Maidoor spoke about the country’s efforts, explaining: “Firstly, it is important to recognise that it isn’t just the organic medical industry, but other factors also that come into play in boosting our positioning as one of the most sought after health tourism hubs today.

“The UAE’s central geographic positioning, the efforts in connectivity by its airlines, the relaxing of visas have all collectively helped the efforts. It is what you call a one stop shop for all your needs.”

Yet, in the centre of it all are the state of the art facilities and the planned spending in its healthcare sector that continues to draw in the tourists.

The government of Dubai has already taken a proactive step in creating a unified health tourism board, combining the expertise of the DHA, along with that of the Dubai Healthcare City and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, in facilitating the influx of medical tourists.

“The newly launched tourism initiative under the directive of the Crown Prince and the Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is strategising and identifying specialties that will fill market gaps that exist currently to draw in medical tourists,” he explained.

“Investors will be facilitated to invest in the right fields, but expansion is imminent across all specialties.

“We are striving to build a healthy environment that will provide a perfect platform to the people looking for excellent medical care.”

In a landmark move, a joint initiative, spearheaded by the DHA and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), facilitates overseas patients who wish to seek treatment in Dubai to be able to avail of a three-month medical tourist visa, extendible twice up to nine consecutive months.

Currently, only hospitals with international accreditation such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) and those in the process of securing one will be eligible.

Over the last few years, over 40 hospitals and healthcare facilities have been accredited with the JCI across the UAE, further boosting in medical tourism efforts.

But Dubai isn’t alone in its strategic road mapping, with state of the art hospitals such as the Saudi German, which opened doors last year.

Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Healthcare is fast making strides with its partnership with the Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic, which will open a 364-bed facility later this year, with room to increase capacity to 490 beds.

The capital also opened doors last year to Burjeel Hospital, tying up with the prestigious Brussels University.

Meanwhile, RAK Hospital has also been heavily promoting medical tourism these past four years, with visitor packages that are both attractive in pricing and healthcare facilities.

When quizzed about the UAE’s placement in medical tourism on a global arena, Al Maidoor admitted that a few challenges yet have to be overcome.

“Staffing is one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare sector today, but you also can’t deny that UAE is still a very young player in the field of medical tourism,” he said.

“The $1.6bn that is estimated of this market still stands far away from, let’s say Germany, which is in the ballpark of $462bn.

“However, I am very confident that the UAE is going to be a force to reckon with.”

source: http://www.emirates247.com / Home> Business> Economy & Finance / by Bindu Suresh Rai / Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

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Posted in Health /Medical Treatment For Overseas Treatment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Reports,Features, Statistics, Travelling For Surgery Abroad / Medical Surgery Overseas

Taiwan becoming a key player in medical tourism

Posted on February 18, 2013 | Comments Off on Taiwan becoming a key player in medical tourism

NICHE MARKET:The nation recorded 81,462 medical tourists by the end of the third quarter last year and policymakers hope such tourism will boost the economy

Besides traditional sightseeing tours that take visitors to Sun Moon Lake and the mountainous region of Alishan (阿里山), the nation is also drawing tourists that are seeking to become healthier and more physically attractive.

In Hualien, an area traditionally known more for its coastal scenery than medical services, 67 medical institutions and travel operators recently started offering high-end medical packages aimed at Chinese tourists.

Priced at NT$500,000, the seven-day package features a combination of Western-style physical checkups and clinical cosmetology, as well as Chinese preventive medicine.

A 14-day package features even higher-end healthcare and anti-aging treatment for double the price, according to a county international medical tourism association established by the local government.

The Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital in Hualien also offers interesting services in the field of medical tourism.

The hospital made a name for itself by making people’s legs slimmer through a calf muscle trimming procedure, which has been drawing tourists from as far as Brazil.

Since 2001, the hospital has conducted the procedure on 500 people.

Of all the medical tourists visiting the hospital, 20 percent are from China, Hong Kong, Macau, the US, Canada and Japan.

What is happening in Hualien is part of a larger development across the nation, where policymakers are increasingly attaching importance to medical tourism as a new niche market and a way to boost the country’s economy.

According to the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the nation’s top trade promoter, Taiwan received 81,462 medical tourists by the end of the third quarter of last year, more than double the 39,428 visitors who came in 2011.

Among those treated last year, 60 percent came for treatment, 27 percent for health check-ups and 13 percent for cosmetic surgery, TAITRA said.

In December last year, Minister without Portfolio Kuan Chung-ming (管中閔) proposed setting up a “service industry experimental zone” near Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport that would offer “derivative services from tourism.”

The “derivative services” could include the travel, shopping, clinical cosmetology and financial services sectors and would cater to the needs of international visitors.

Kuan said the idea was part of efforts aimed at boosting employment by cultivating the service industry.

The Council for Economic Planning and Development also floated the idea of “free economic demonstration zones” that would foster the transformation of Taiwan into a regional hub of critical medical care and medical tourism, industrial innovation, international logistics, global talent training and agricultural product sales.

Meanwhile, the nation has been striving to attract more medical tourists from China, given the two countries’ linguistic and cultural similarities, observers said.

According to TAITRA, 3 million people undergo plastic surgery in China every year.

The market for cosmetic surgery in China has grown by 10 percent annually and had surpassed the global average of 6 percent, TAITRA said. Taiwan also launched a 15-day medical tourism visa in January last year to cater to Chinese tourists.

In August last year, the government also promoted an e-visa service to make it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Taiwan for physical checkups, cosmetic surgery or anti-aging treatments.

Taiwan received a total of 50,376 medical tourists from China last year.

source: http://www.taipeitimes.com / Home> Taiwan News / by Staff Writer, with CNA / Monday, February 18th, 2013

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Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism