President, HealthCORE, Joyce Alumno spoke to Marion Hadjiloizis about what Asia must do to continuously improve its medical tourism offerings and also about how much potential the Philippines has within the industry.
Joyce Alumno (photo: MWT)
MWT (Medical Wellness Tourism Magazine): How much potential do you believe the Asian continent has in becoming the world's leading region for medical tourism?
Taking into account that medical competence across Asian countries is equal with high education levels available in all parts of the world, the young population of Asian countries, with the exception of Japan and Korea, is its big advantage over other continents coupled with its inherent warm hospitable personality. Healing is faster when a person is treated holistically, that is, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Specifically, the Southeast Asian countries' tropical climate is a natural endowment for healthy living for which people are willing to travel when the weather becomes sickly cold in their countries.
MWT: With the Asian continent home to more people than anywhere else in the world, what needs to be done to keep Asian medical tourists within the continent?
The thrust being undertaken now by Asian countries towards medical tourism is to keep upgrading their healthcare delivery, and retain their best healthcare professionals. We see more hospitals and healthcare organizations being internationally accredited by ISQUA-recognized agencies such as NABH which is based in India and has now gone internationally in order to create that quality wave in healthcare.
MWT: How does the Philippines rank in comparison to other leading medical tourism destinations in Asia?
The Philippines fares well with other Asian countries in terms of competence but is uniquely positioned for its naturally caring, English-speaking people and value-for-money services.
MWT: What makes the Philippines such an attractive proposition to the word's medical and wellness visitors?
The Philippines is home to an army of healthcare professionals that are competent, caring, compassionate and culturally adaptable. It offers world-class care at the right value. It had the first heart centre in Asia and was the first to perform renal transplantation.
The Philippines is also able to combine medical, wellness and retirement as an attractive proposition for people seeking true healthcare. At the backdrop are beautiful beaches, lush sceneries, great shopping and nice weather throughout the year.
MWT: How do you see the global medical tourism industry developing over the next five years?
The industry is still at its infancy stage but is quickly growing acceptance matched by a growing demand form rich and developed countries.
However, there is no organised framework that governs the industry at thte moment that could lead to social imbalance and potential health and legal risks if not properly regulated. In order to sustain this growth, transparency, commitment to high standards of quality and safety and equitable healthcare delivery must be foremost in mind.
Reference: Medical Wellness Tourism Magazine, Issue 3 / November 2010 / p.6 - https://www.affordablecebu.com/