Thus, T.W. Sudhakar, Regional Director of India tourism for West Asia and Africa said in a statement on Tuesday, “With latest equipment and highly-skilled medical personnel, India is the obvious [...]]]>

India provides a complete balance of mental and emotional health. Because, when it comes to a blending of healtcare with spiritual well-being, India has no rivals.

Thus, T.W. Sudhakar, Regional Director of India tourism for West Asia and Africa said in a statement on Tuesday, “With latest equipment and highly-skilled medical personnel, India is the obvious choice for any treatment. These services are available at competitive prices; attracting patients not only form developing countries but also from developed countries for specialised medical treatments.”

Sudhakar said the tourism sector in the country has witnessed great buoyancy in the last few years. Foreign Tourist Arrivals  during the year 2008 were 5.37 million as compared to 5.08 million during 2007. Therefore, in spite of global financial meltdown, the number of tourists has increased by 5.6 per cent in 2008, compared to 2007 whereas UNWTO growth rate is 1.8 per cent for international tourist arrivals during 2008.

Now, scenario of economic meltdown, India as a health and wellness destination has great potential because of world class doctors and hospitals offer treatment at competitive cost; diverse tourism products such as rural tourism; and ancient system of healing with the expertise of modern medical facilities.

Related posts

• USAID Supports the Attendance at the Moscow Fair For Medical Tourism (0)
• The Irregular Nature of The Healthcare Globalization (0)
• Saudi Arabia Witnesses Growth in Medical Tourism (0)
• Middle Eastern Patients Seeking German Healthcare Travel Market (0)
• Medical Tourism More Suggested for Dubai (0)

Private hospitals across Saudi Arabia witnessed a 10 per cent increase in foreign patients in 2009, PHA President Fawzi Hammouri declared in a press conference yesterday.

In addition, 220,000 patients from across the world received treatment [...]]]>

The Private Hospitals Association (PHA) announced on Sunday that the Kingdom’s medical tourism sector witnessed a rise in patients last year.

Private hospitals across Saudi Arabia witnessed a 10 per cent increase in foreign patients in 2009, PHA President Fawzi Hammouri declared in a press conference yesterday.

In addition, 220,000 patients from across the world received treatment in the Kingdom’s private hospitals last year, up from 200,000 in 2008 and 190,000 in 2007.

On the other hand, Iraqis represented the largest number of foreign patients seeking treatment in the Kingdom, accounting for 19 per cent, followed by Palestinians (16 per cent) and Saudi Arabians (15 per cent).

“The quality and competitiveness of healthcare in Jordan have made the country an attractive destination for foreigners seeking advanced treatments that are unavailable or unaffordable in their home countries,” Hammouri noted.

Considered one of the main contributors to the national economy, medical tourism brings in revenues that reach $1 billion annually.

Hammouri added that initial figures for 2010 received from the 48 private hospitals affiliated with the association are “promising” and indicate that the number of medical tourists will continue to increase this year.

Related posts

• Fayez defends ‘blood fees’ (0)
• USAID Supports the Attendance at the Moscow Fair For Medical Tourism (0)
• The Irregular Nature of The Healthcare Globalization (0)
• The First Pain & Inflammation Academy In Middle East (0)
• The Cabinet to Implement A Ban on Smoking (0)

In a joint press conference with the ministers of finance and state for media affairs and communications yesterday, Fayez said over 700,000 non-Jordanians live in the country and enjoy [...]]]>

Health Minister Nayef Fayez on Wednesday defended a decision imposing fees on blood units, saying that the measure aims to cut ministry funds spent on foreign patients.

In a joint press conference with the ministers of finance and state for media affairs and communications yesterday, Fayez said over 700,000 non-Jordanians live in the country and enjoy several health benefits that should be restricted to Jordanians.

“We are only concerned with providing healthcare at subsidised prices for Jordanians. Foreigners who live in the Kingdom should pay for these services,” the minister said, stressing that each unit of blood that is tested and screened costs the ministry JD60.

He pointed out that 87% of Jordanians have medical insurance either from the public or the private sector, adding that citizens without insurance can obtain medical exemptions from the Royal makruma.

The minister underlined that blood tests cost the ministry around JD6 million annually, adding that 50 per cent of all donated blood is unused and destroyed after expiring.

The Cabinet last week endorsed a decision imposing a JD15 fee on each blood unit for Jordanians not covered by health insurance and receiving treatment in public hospitals, and JD30 for those treated in private hospitals. Non-Jordanians will have to pay JD40 instead of JD20 for each unit of blood.

Earlier this week, the private medical sector and activists called on the government to reconsider its decision, saying that it might affect the competitiveness of the medical tourism sector in the Kingdom.

Some experts warned that the number of people who voluntarily donate blood might drop, as some people may not like the idea of their blood being sold.

According to a copy of a document made available to The Jordan Times, the price of a plasma unit will be JD4 for Jordanians in public hospitals and JD8 in private hospitals, while it will cost foreign patients JD10. Blood filtering will cost Jordanians JD20 in public hospitals and JD40 in private hospitals, while foreigners must pay JD50.

The document also stated that the fees cover one-third of the related costs in public hospitals and 50 per cent of those in private health facilities.

It added that increasing fees on blood units in private hospitals aims to regulate the use of blood units in private hospitals as a large number of these units are tainted before being used.

Related posts

• Mercer Survey Finds Employee Benefits of Increasing Importance (0)
• HAAD Announces Health Insurance Cases of Fraud And Abuse (0)
• A Healing Experience” Concert Lecture for its Patients (0)
• Health insurance for citizens to be introduced this year (0)
• Government plan is successful in combating bird flu (0)

Promoting medical tourism in Jordan necessitates [...]]]>

The USAID Economic Development Program (SABEQ) invited Private Hospital Association (PHA) members and medical insurance companies to attend a focus group meeting at SABEQ premises, in a bid to protect patients’ rights in cases of a mal practice. Attending the session were PHA member hospitals and leading insurance companies’ representatives.

Promoting medical tourism in Jordan necessitates responding to requirements of certain markets that demand medical insurance policies that guarantee the rights of patients.  As Jordan continues to lack the issuance of a mal-practice medical law such health insurance requirements becomes highly important for certain markets, while others insist on them even when the law is enforced.

Valuable discussion between both parties yielded useful results. SABEQ Program was asked to provide technical assistance to create a new insurance product for hospitals and to ensure the correct application of international standards in Jordan, which would cater for the interests of bnoth hospitals and insurance companies.

Related posts

• USAID Supports the Attendance at the Moscow Fair For Medical Tourism (0)
• USAID Supports Delegacy to Attend World Medical Tourism (0)
• Umrah Pilgrims to Boost Medical Tourism (0)
• The Irregular Nature of The Healthcare Globalization (0)
• Saudi Arabia Witnesses Growth in Medical Tourism (0)

The survey writes that 70% (about 4 million people each year) of Libyans came for medical care. Patients from sub-Saharan Africa, who represent [...]]]>

In a survey published in the French edition of the January-February issue, “African Business” reports that 250, 000 foreign patients came to Tunisia in 2009 for treatment, including from Libya, Algeria and sub-Saharan Africa.

The survey writes that 70% (about 4 million people each year) of Libyans came for medical care.
Patients from sub-Saharan Africa, who represent 12% of medical tourists in Tunisia come from Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Mali and Burundi.

Westerners, who represent 18%, come to Tunisia for cosmetic surgeries, including plastic surgery. 3, 000 European patients visited Tunisia in 2008.

Tunisia ‘s attraction as a medical tourism destination is explained by “the positioning of Tunisia which is close to the West, the high level of Tunisian plastic surgeons and the cost of surgery, which remain cheaper than in Europe”. For example “breast augmentation or liposuction account for 40 to 50% cheaper than in Europe” said the spokesman of the Tunisian Federation of Travel Agencies to “African Business”.

The survey adds that medical tourism, “a source of significant currency for Tunisia”, holds 5% of the country’s exports of services. It represents 24% of turnover of private clinics, amounting to 175 million Euros.

Patients spend on average 4000 Euros, whereas the standard tourist only spends 300 Euros.

Tunisia attracts an increasing number of British, Germans, Italians, French, Belgians, Swiss, Portuguese, and Spaniards. The number of foreign patients having been treated in private Tunisian clinics has witnessed an expotential growth in the last five years.

According to the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ), “Medical tourism in Tunisia has become the country’s second highest foreign currency earner, and the second largest employer. Most of the 8000 doctors were trained in Europe or America, so they meet Western standards. Prices are 40% to 60% less expensive than those in Western Europe, even allowing for a stay of one week. Its proximity to Europe makes Tunisia an attractive alternative to India and Thailand, for those who want to avoid long-haul flights”.

Related posts

• USAID Supports Delegacy to Attend World Medical Tourism (0)
• Explanation of Medical Tourism at Healthcare Travel (0)
• Amigo And MEDIAWAY Partner to Offer Medical Packages (0)
• USAID Supports the Attendance at the Moscow Fair For Medical Tourism (0)
• USAID Holds a Focus Group Session to Promote Medical Tourism (0)

Belgium has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s [...]]]>

MEDIAWAY, the medical bridge between Belgium and the Arab World, has teamed up with The Rocco Forte Collection’s Hotel Amigo in Brussels, along with select partners: Etihad Airways, The Edith Cavell Hospital, Dockx Car Rental and Visit Belgium, to offer a new medical package to Gulf countries’ residents.

Belgium has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s leading medical tourism destinations, offering medical tourists a highly-regarded level of medical care and research across all medicinal disciplines. The new medical package, which is directly linked to the respected Edith Cavell Hospital, is tailor-made to the influx of Arab nationals seeking treatment in Belgium’s renowned medical facilities and offers travellers a comprehensive package, complete with medical staff that are fluent in Arabic.

The medical package offers economy flight transfers from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Brussels International Airport, a six-night stay in the city’s most prestigious hotel: Hotel Amigo, which includes daily buffet breakfast, a comprehensive medical check-up, which includes: X-rays, Thorax, heart health tests, effort test, thorough blood test, urine test and a gynaecology test for women. The package starts from AED 18,640 (€3,950) per person.

This package, suggested over seven days, can be subject to extension and upgrading costs. The package is inclusive of meals with specific dietary or cultural requirements. Private driver limousines services can also be booked prior to departure.

Related posts

• USAID Supports Delegacy to Attend World Medical Tourism (0)
• Progress in Tunisian Medical Tourism Attraction (0)
• Explanation of Medical Tourism at Healthcare Travel (0)
• USAID Supports the Attendance at the Moscow Fair For Medical Tourism (0)
• USAID Holds a Focus Group Session to Promote Medical Tourism (0)

The Conference was held from Dec. 15 – 18 at the Egyptian el-Gouna resort on the Red Sea. Mr Abdullah Hindawi, CEO of the Private [...]]]>

A Jordanian delegation attended the second Arab International e-Tourism and e-Marketing Conference organized by the International Organization for the E-Tourism Industry (IOTEI) with a view to promoting medical tourism in Jordan.

The Conference was held from Dec. 15 – 18 at the Egyptian el-Gouna resort on the Red Sea. Mr Abdullah Hindawi, CEO of the Private Hospitals Association represented the Association at the Conference. The delegation was sponsored by USAID Jordan Economic Development Program (SABEQ).

Related posts

• USAID Supports the Attendance at the Moscow Fair For Medical Tourism (0)
• USAID Supports Delegacy to Attend World Medical Tourism (0)
• USAID Holds a Focus Group Session to Promote Medical Tourism (0)
• Umrah Pilgrims to Boost Medical Tourism (0)
• The Irregular Nature of The Healthcare Globalization (0)

Prince Sultan made the comments during a lecture at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry [...]]]>

Umrah pilgrims will in the near future be targeted for medical tourism, a concept that is to soon witness a strong boost in the Kingdom, said Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).

Prince Sultan made the comments during a lecture at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on the invitation of the Prince Sultan bin Salman Award for Youth Business Entrepreneurs of the RCCI’s Youth Business Committee.

Prince Sultan said the Kingdom contains a large number of high-standard health-care institutions that can help develop the Kingdom’s medical tourism industry. He added that medical tourism could become an excellent source of income for the Kingdom. The head of the SCTA also revealed that there are a number of projects that are being undertaken to restore and rehabilitate the old downtown areas of several Saudi cities. The projects are being undertaken in coordination with the cities’ general secretariats.

He added that old downtown areas are almost disappearing due to modern architecture becoming more dominant. The first of these projects is to begin in March in Taif, which is the first city to be allocated a budget for such projects. It is thought that developing the downtown areas would encourage tourism.

The prince also said that the company would manage the Kingdom’s first heritage hotels. Old buildings, located in towns and villages across the Kingdom, are being renovated into hotels. He added that the hotels would help encourage tourism and boost local economies.

Related posts

• Gulf Health Care Industry Set to Rise (0)
• Whole Foods Offers Employee Motive For Staying Fit (0)
• Wave Medical Inks A Partnership with Health Matrix (0)
• Wareed Project Pioneers Health Care Initiative (0)
• USAID Supports the Attendance at the Moscow Fair For Medical Tourism (0)

“The growth will be driven by both an increase in demand [increased number of treatments] [...]]]>

The health care market in the GCC is expected to grow at about 9 per cent annually to reach $47 billion to $55 billion (around Dh172 billion to Dh202 billion) by 2020, according to a recent report, due to solid demand.

“The growth will be driven by both an increase in demand [increased number of treatments] and the cost of health care provision [average cost per treatment],” a report by Alpen Capital said.

Last year, 46 million medical treatments were conducted across the region, of which 91 per cent were outpatients, generating $18 billion in revenue.

Despite massive private sector investment in clinics and hospitals, a large number of people still opt for other countries for treatment and health check-ups.

Dubai Government in 2003 launched Dubai Healthcare City to tap this market and attract patients and boost medical tourism. The facility has attracted a number of health institutions, however the outflow of patients continues.

However, despite such growth, many GCC residents and nationals still travel to India, Thailand, Malaysia, the UK and the US for treatment. Some cite lower costs, others say the quality of health care is the main concern for the outbound treatment.

“The main reason for patients travelling to India is cost. It’s cheaper to get treatment in India,” Dr Azad Moopen, who runs a series of hospitals across the GCC, told Gulf News.

“Besides, there are comprehensive health care facilities in India, Thailand and other places that attract patients. This is yet to grow here.”

Global situation

Global health care, a $2.1 trillion business, is becoming more competitive every year, international experts say.

“Touching its peak over the past few decades, Medical Tourism is a direct result of globalization of health care. There is a genuine and boosting opportunity emerging for Asian and Middle Eastern countries which are catering for the health care requirements of developed countries like the US, Canada, United Kingdom and other European countries, where the cost is 75-90 per cent higher,” Dr Prem Jagyasi, medical tourism consultant and chief strategic officer of the Medical Tourism Association, says.

“Despite economic recession, which causes a lack of cash flow, it is still far more affordable and viable for the patients from the developed world to travel for health care; hence medical tourism [is] observing growth despite recession.”

A recent Deloitte survey reports 150,000 US citizens experienced medical treatment abroad in 2006 — the majority being in Asia and Latin America. The number grew to an estimated 750,000 in 2007 and could reach as high as 6 million by 2010. According to the survey, by 2017 23 million American travellers are expected to travel to Latin America, Asia and the Middle East and will spend $60 billion in the next few years.

The medical tourism back-office business is $350 billion, while claims have reached $7 billion, according to the Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA).

Time bomb

“We are sitting on a health-care time bomb,” Philip Archbold, sales director at Intuition Communication, told audiences at the World Travel Market in London last month.

“Google has 20.3 million pages on medical tourism. Although the market is slightly stagnant now, it is going to grow at a fast pace, once the world comes out of recession. The market is becoming competitive. Dubai Healthcare City, for example, will attract a large number of Arab patients, who otherwise would travel to the UK, USA, Thailand or India. Arabs are one of the biggest medical tourism source markets in the world for British hospitals. Once the Dubai Healthcare City takes off, it will change this.”

According to the Alpen Capital report: “Barring major additional project delays, we see a sufficient supply of hospital beds in all GCC countries, except Oman.

“The UAE and Qatar have the most ambitious pipelines as measured by the number of beds per capita, and are banking on medical tourism from within and outside the GCC to maintain adequate occupancy rates across the industry.”

Per capita health care spending in the GCC was $631 in 2006, below the global average of $716. The US and the UK registered per capita health care spending of $6,719 and $3,332 respectively in the same period.

Related posts

• Umrah Pilgrims to Boost Medical Tourism (0)
• Whole Foods Offers Employee Motive For Staying Fit (0)
• Wave Medical Inks A Partnership with Health Matrix (0)
• Wareed Project Pioneers Health Care Initiative (0)
• USAID Supports the Attendance at the Moscow Fair For Medical Tourism (0)