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Philippines Launches Plan to Lure

'Medical Tourists'
Bangkok Post
January 12, 2006
Tourism - Integrated Programme

Manila - The Philippines is aiming to earn about $2 billion annually within five years following the launch of an integrated programme to promote medical tourism here, officials said yesterday.

The programme is meant to attract about 700,000 foreign "medical tourists," annually by the end of five years, said Cesar Bautista, head of a special task force spearheading the programme.

Bautista conceded that the Philippines is "quite behind" other Asian countries like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia which are already attracting thousands of foreigners, seeking medical procedures that are cheaper than in their home countries.

He and other officials expressed confidence the Philippines could catch up, thanks to the country's hospitable, English-speaking labour force, high quality medical professionals and facilities, and competitive costs.

Bautista said the Philippines had been attracting medical tourists for years but there were no specific figures as there was no agency keeping track of this development before.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque also expressed hope that promoting medical tourism would ease the "brain drain," which has seen thousands of Filipino doctors and nurses leaving the country to find better-paying jobs abroad.

Industry leaders have previously warned that the Philippines could face a crisis if it loses too many of its medical practitioners to migration.

Duque said medical tourism could also allow local hospitals to upgrade their facilities and equipment.

The government expects to combine medical tourism with spas offering massages, relaxation and "wellness packages," as well as attracting foreign retirees to live in the country, where they can avail of cheaper medical care, officials said.

Bautista said Philippine diplomats would also work to find ways that foreign medical insurance programmes -- such as Medicare in the United States, would extend their coverage to include treatments in the Philippines. AFP

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