Serious on Medical Tourism

The Philippine government seems really serious on promoting the country as a medical tourism destination. As a medical equipment distributor, this news is good. More medical tourists means more premium paying patients means more premium services and yes means more medical equipment.

However, this online news from the Philippine Daily Inquirer caught my attention. Are medical tourists really flocking to greenhills to buy cheap pirated DVDs and fake designer apparel? I somehow feel uncomfortable of hearing this news. What image will the tourist bring home to their countries of the Philippines? I am sure any bad image will also have a negative effect and might dampen our medical tourism campaign. Marketing is a mind game and we do not want medical tourist asking themselves whether the country has fake doctors, do we?

Take this elderly foreigner who recovered quite nicely from a procedure called blepharoplasty or surgery to remove fat and excess skin from the upper and lower eyelids. She was excited to show off her new and “younger” look and shop at the famous tiangge (flea market) in San Juan.

Her flight back to her native land could wait, she said. She wanted to buy some pearls—South Sea and fresh water—fake designer bags and shoes and, of course, pirated DVDs.

But just to show how serious the government is to promote medical tourism, there is even now the first medical tourism congress – a two day event held last November 21-22 (I think). I learned of if just now and missed the opportunity to look into it, but I still feel good knowing about it.

PGMA launches RP's first ever Medical Tourism Congress
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2006 | GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT


As part of her government’s efforts to push the country as one of the top medical tourism destinations, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo formally launched today the Philippines’ first-ever Medical Tourism Congress, Exposition and Grand Launch (MTCEGL) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

The President, fresh from her successful trip to Vietnam where she attended the 14th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ meeting, has always been a staunch supporter of the Philippine Medical Tourism Program (PMTP), saying the Philippines has got what it takes to cash in on the $3 million-a-year global health care market.

The two-day MTCEGL brings to fore the program that hopes to inform and educate the public about the PMTP, specifically its opportunities, potentials, challenges and importance for the economy.

It also aims to encourage medical institutions to apply for accreditation from international agencies such as the Joint Commission International so that they can be accorded the "Gintong Sigla" seal of the PMTP that entails incentives for the institution.

Upon her arrival at the PICC Plenary Hall, the President was welcomed by Philippine Public Private Partnership Chairman Ambassador Cesar Bautista, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Trade and Industry Secretary and Presidential Committee on Health and Wellness Chairman Peter Favila, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Chairperson Lilia de Lima, Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) Chairman Edgardo Aglipay and Tourism Assistant Secretary Cynthia Carreon.

The President was then treated to an audio-visual presentation launching "Paradise Philippines" as the country brand for PMTP. After the presentation, the President was presented with the symbol of Paradise Philippines in the form of the Waling-waling orchid flower by Bautista. He was assisted by Duque, Favila, Aglipay, De Lima and Carreon.

After the brief ceremonies, the President proceeded to a building adjacent to the PICC where she viewed an exhibit of the various participating sponsors and members.

"Medical tourism is one of the solid niches for the Philippines," the President recently said at her roundtable discussion in Malacanang with Socioeconomic Secretary Romulo Neri and National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Chief Domingo Panganiban.

The President noted that the country has the "best doctors, nurses and caregivers in the world . . . the best medical facilities," with the quality of its healthcare system recognized as among the best in the world.

"Cost is competitive and quality is high. Filipino professionals can serve the world right here at home, as we provide more jobs downstream and cut down poverty," she said.

Ranked fifth among Asia’s top healthcare players after Thailand, India, Malaysia and Singapore, the country’s medical tourism program earned $200 million in 2005, the first year of its operation.

(From www.gov.ph)

I also saw that the country now has the Philippine Medical Tourism Program (PMTP), whatever that is, which can be seen online here.

Good news after good news, I believe the local market for medical equipment could only zoom up. We just have to be able to know how to benefit from it.

We are now on the Web!

At last... after 7 years, MEDEV now has a presence on the world wide web (www.medevmedicaldevices.com). I made the design myself (well, yes, the design is not good, I know... no need to tell me) from standard templates.

Well, the site is still work in progress and there are more information that I need to post there... The products section is still incomplete. But this is a nice start. I just hope that I can find the time to improve the site. I wonder what this website's impact on our business be?

And yes, I might post there soon pictures of our office or myself only if it would not drive visitors to the website away!!!