Medical tourism is where healthcare services are sought and delivered by means of traveling to other countries. The new breed of travelers nowadays travels because of a particular need, which is medical treatment.

Costly healthcare in the United States and Europe encouraged Asian countries to cater the needs of the growing market in need of medical treatments. The market for medical care procedures has been long dominated by the United States and European countries. The globalization of health care means more competition and good quality at better prices.

Medical tourism saves thousands of dollars by seeking treatment in emerging health markets. The medical tourism industry is fast growing in Asian countries particularly Thailand, India, Singapore and the Philippines. Doctors from these Asian countries have been trained and have practiced in U.S. and Europe.

Medical tourism provides packages, which includes flights, transfers, hotels, treatments and even post-operative vacation in a very reasonable cost where in the U.S. the price of the surgery alone would not compare to the package Asian countries provide.

Why Travel for Medical Treatment?

Reasons why people from different countries travel to avail health treatments in Asian countries is because the cost of surgery is a lot cheaper; there are no lengthy waiting period to get surgery; and their home country has an over burdened healthcare infrastructure.

With medical tourism, the patient is treated with utmost care, from the time they arrive the country for medical treatment, to the recuperating period up to the moment they head back to their own country.

Most of the hospitals in the Asian countries have undergone accreditation with the Joint Commission International, an organization which has been dedicated to improving the quality and safety of health care services. Asian hospitals have hotel like facilities, complete range of health care services and hospital facilities, internationally trained and board certified doctors and most of all very competitive prices.

Medical tourism also includes the opportunity for the patient to travel and visit tourist areas and take advantage of the splendid vacation in the country of their choice.

Medical Tourism in the Philippines

In November 2006, a bill creating the Medical Tourism Bureau (MTB) has been filed in the House of Representatives to manage the promising medical tourism business in the country and turn it into a $125 million industry. This bill was in line with Executive Order 372 which aims to develop the Philippines communication industry, logistics and health and wellness.

The Philippines started promoting medical tourism in 2006. In its first year of medical tourism promotions, the country raked $200 million where cosmetic surgery, eye treatment and dental procedures were the top earners. The Philippines ranked among the top five countries in the medical tourism industry.

There are two internationally accredited hospitals in the Philippines, The Medical City and St. Luke’s Medical Center; both hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International. More and more hospitals are now following suit and are undergoing renovation and upgrading of their facilities to meet the international standards.

Health Undersecretary Jade Del Mundo said that the government planned to ramp up the business by accrediting more quality hospitals and health care facilities and banking on Filipinos unique hospitality in taking care of patients.