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.
