CHAPTER 14

Medical Tourism

Learning Objectives

 Define medical tourism

 Discuss the evolution of medical tourism in the Philippines
 Describe the Philippines as a global health care destination
 Identify medical services offered in medical tourism
 Describe the traditional wellness treatments in the Philippines
 Classify the spas in the Philippines
 Explain the continuity of care and concierge services in medical tourism
 Describe the medical tourism packages
 Discuss myths on medical tourism
 Get acquainted with the accredited health care providers in the Philippines

Definition of Medical Tourism

Medical tourism is a form of tourism, which aims to attract visitors to a

place for health care services and to help patients venture out of the hospital to
explore the various tourist attractions of the Philippines. Medical tourism aims to
achieve total wellness, which is the balance of mind, body and spirit.

Evolution of Medical Tourism in the Philippines

The Philippines has a long history of Western medical care. It began in 1611
when the University of the Sto. Thomas, the oldest university in Asia was founded
together with its medical school. The University of Santo Thomas continues to
provide the biggest number of medical professionals in the Philippines.

Medical care in the Philippines id principally Western in its philosophy,

methods and approaches. Filipino doctors are graduates from the best medical
institutions. The tertiary hospitals and medical centers in the Philippines have
complete facilities and equipment. The Philippines has a pool of competent health
care professionals, English-speaking people, state-of-the-art technology and cost-
effective medical and wellness treatments that make it a preferred destination for
health care.

Medical tourism in the Philippines is supported by the Philippine

government through the Department of Tourism and the Department of Health.
In 2006, the Philippines was launched as a world medical tourism destination. It
was recognized by all patients all over the world as a global health care
destination. The Philippines is known in the medical sector as “The Heart of Asia”
because of the unique Filipino way of compassionate caring for foreign visitors.

Medical Services Offered in Medical Tourism

Because of the globalization of health care, the Philippines has started to

give first-class medical services at very affordable rates. Medical services include
cardiovascular care, cancer care and stem cell therapy, joint replacement surgery,
multidisciplinary weight management care, eye care and sight restoration, dental
care, oral and maxillofacial surgery, aesthetic dermatologic, plastic and
reconstructive surgery.
Wellness Treatment

The Philippines is known as a haven of wellness. It has many healing

practices that are deeply rooted in the heritage and tradition of Filipinos.

Hilot is a traditional therapeutic massage performed by a therapist,

kneading the muscles to remove aches and pains.

Ventosa is a massage cupping therapy that is basically done by placing

heated glasses on the surface of the body along specific accupoints, creating
sunction as a way of stimulating the flow of energy.

Taal is also known as lava stone therapy.

Pamula or bamboo tap massage.

Banyos is an aromatic herbal and floral bath.

Oslob is a herbal steam bath.

Hilod or sea stone scrub.

Spa

The Philippines has many spas where tourists can de-stress and detoxify.
The travelers can choose from the following types of spas:

1. Day spa offers different spa services to clients on a day use basis, which
include services of hair and beauty salons;
 2. Destination/Resort spa provides clients with lifestyle and health
improvement through spa treatments, physical fitness and on-site
accommodations;

3. Hotel spa is located within a hotel. It offers spa services as well as fitness
and wellness components; and

4. Medical spa is a mixture of a clinic and a day spa, which provides

comprehensive medical and wellness treatments under the supervision of a
medical doctor.

Continuity of Care

To make sure that there is a continuity of health care when patients return
to their home country, hospitals in the Philippines establish partnerships with
world-class hospitals and medical institutions abroad. Case updates can be
provided to a patient’s home physician to inform him about the medical history of
the patient.

Concierge Services

Concierge service providers can organize and facilitate a patient’s medical

visit; making his experience hassle free. Also called medical travel facilitators,
they can handle a patient’s travel plans, help him make medical appointments,
arrange accommodations and set up post treatments vacation in the Philippines.
Medical Tourism Packages

The Philippines is also known as a tropical paradise because of its beautiful

beaches, inspiring natural wonders, pristine dive sports and world-class resorts
and hotels. Tee-Off to Wellness package includes:

1. executive health check-up;

2. four days/three nights standard hotel accommodation;

3. daily buffet breakfast;

4. one round of golf;

5. half day city tour; and

6. transfers.

Myths on Medical Tourism

1. Medical tourism lacks credibility and should not be taken seriously

because it is part of the tourism industry.

2. Low cost means low quality.

3. Medical tourism is new to the Philippines.

4. There are better health care destinations in the world compared to the
Philippines.

5. The arrival of medical tourists in the Philippines will make access to

health care difficult, for local patients.
Accredited Medical Tourism Providers

The following are the accredited medical tourism providers in the

Philippines:

1. Asian Hospital Medical Center;

2. Cardinal Santos Medical Center;
3. Capitol Medical Center;
4. Las Pinas Doctors Hospital;
5. Makati Medical Center;
6. Manila Adventist Medical Center ( formerly Manila Sanitarium Hospital );
7. Manila Doctors Hospital;
8. Manila Medical Center;
9. Paranaque Doctors Hospital;
10.St. Lukes’s Medical Center;
11.The Medical City;
12.University of Santo Thomas Hospital;
13.World Citi Medical Center;
14.Baypoints Hospital and Medical Center;
15.Tagaytay Hospital and Medical Center;
16.Sta. Rosa Hospital and Medical Center;
17.St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center;
18.Palawan Adventist Hospital;
19.Cebu Doctors University Hospital;
20.Chong Hua Hospital;
21.Perpetual Succor Hospital; and
22. Davao Doctors Hospital.