MANILA-The Philippines earned an estimated $200 million during the first year of the Medical Tourism Program, with cosmetic surgery topping the most-sought treatment from patients who come from different parts of the world, according to the Business Mirror newspaper.
Health Undersecretary Jade del Mundo, head of the Medical Tourism Program, said aside from cosmetic surgery, other top grossers were eye and dental services.
An estimated 200,000 patients from around
the world, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), came to the Philippines
this year for treatment and vacation, said del Mundo at a press briefing to
announce the first Medical Tourism Congress that will be held starting November
20 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The program seeks to offer the Philippines as
a destination for healthcare and tourism where patients can go for rest and
recreation while recuperating.
Del Mundo noted that patients have been coming
to the country for health services because of the low price of treatment
compared to what is being offered by other countries.
He cited as an example the price of
dental ceramic denture which is worth $1,000 in the country compared with
$8,000 in the United States.
The Belo Medical Group is said to have
topped everyone accredited by medical tourism, posting earnings of $300,000
from January to August.
Del Mundo noted that the government sees
between $300 million to $400 million of profits through medical tourism for
2007.
At the moment, the Philippines rank fifth
in medical tourism among Asian countries such as Thailand, India, Malaysia and
Singapore in that order.
He said the Philippines wishes to beat
all these countries by accrediting more quality hospitals and healthcare
facilities and banking on the Filipinos’ “unique” way of taking care of
patients.
The global healthcare market is valued at $3
trillion per year, according to the Department of Health.
Also, some private hospitals have already
applied for international accreditation through the Joint Commission
International (JCI) to seek foreign recognition. The St. Luke’s Medical Center
is the only Philippine-based hospital that is accredited by the JCI, said del
Mundo.
Hospitals accredited by the JCI are
exempted from taxes for four years and will be charged an equivalent of 5
percent of their gross income from the fifth year onwards.
Del Mundo said JCI members get the
distinction of being “world-class” healthcare providers. Among those who are
seeking JCI accreditation are the Medical City, Capitol Medical Center, Asian
Hospital and Makati Medical Center.
A state-of-the-art facility and qualified
doctors who are trained abroad are some of the qualities a hospital must have
to gain a JCI “gold seal.” A one-time JCI membership fee costs P7 million, said the health
official.
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