Seven RP hospitals promoted in US as medical tourism sites

Jul	04
2009

Seven RP hospitals promoted in US as medical tourism sites

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/17/2008 8:09 PM

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Seven leading hospitals in the Philippines have been promoted as medical tourism sites for American patients.

The Department of Tourism said the seven hospitals participated in the recent World Tourism and Global Health Congress held in San Francisco, California.

These local hospitals include St. Francis Cabrini Medical Center, University of Santo Tomas, Capitol Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, Medical City, Manila Doctors Hospital and the World Citi Medical Center.

Organized by the Medical Tourism Association in Florida, the Medical Congress was a venue where international organizations met insurance companies and governments to implement medical tourism into health insurance plans. Delegates from 45 countries participated in the event.

The tourism department said Americans can save 10 to 90 percent of their healthcare costs if they tap the services of hospitals in the Philippines.

At present, about 50 million Americans have no healthcare while another 120 million are underinsured. Other countries such as Canada and Europe are also having problems with the prolonged waiting time for patients who are in need of immediate attention.

"Medical tourism aims to alleviate these problems of rising costs and insufficient healthcare professionals," said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.

"A medical holiday can cost from 10 percent up to 90 percent less of what Americans would pay in their country," said Durano.

He noted that a coronary bypass surgery with heart valve replacement costs between $11,956 and $17,391 in the Philippines while in the US, it could range from $70,000 to $133,000.

"Our country is likewise an inexpensive destination, which amounts to huge savings for patients," Durano added.

In terms of cosmetic surgery, facelifts in the Philippines cost only $3,913 to $4,347, the lowest among Asian countries. In the US, the same service is priced at $10,500 to $16,000.

Durano said the Philippines is known for its healthcare professionals who have natural ability to nurture patients and possess innate caring attitude.

Because of this, the department promoted the Philippines as the "Tender Loving Care in the Heart of Asia."

The department has packaged medical services with holidays in order to attract high spending tourists.