“...the Philippines could be a potential medical mecca and gain an enviable international prestige as a world-class haven for quality healthcare.”

A new model of healthcare delivery known as medical tourism could potentially create 40 million new jobs and bring in 1 billion U.S. dollars a year to the Philippines, like the projection for India, if the novel idea comes to fruition here.

The concept is really fascinating, one we are considering for Cebu with the possible construction of an American heart center in this city, a proposed joint venture between local physicians and the Cardiovascular Hospitals of America, a builder of heart centers in the United States, based in Wichita, Kansas, now expanding to the Far East.

A globally-renowned tourist paradise, conveniently accessible to people from almost any point in the world with its Mactan International Airport, this city is a potential medical mecca. A world-class cardiac center with state-of-the-art, cutting-edge, technology, manned by well-trained, competent and experienced cardiac team, the planned heart hospital could attract patients from countries outsourcing their medical services. These nations do this to dramatically cut down the untenable rising cost of healthcare for their own people, and eliminating the intolerable long waiting list, and weeks to months of delay, in getting tests and surgery performed in their own country.

The two essential attractive features of this notion include (1) a world-class medical facility with prompt and efficient medical care at a premium bargain, a fraction of the cost abroad; and (2) hustle-free healthcare delivery that also pampers the patients and their family, from the time they arrive at the airport to their discharge from the hospital and return to their respective country.

The actual scenario would go something like this: After initial communication by phone and/or by e-mail, and reaching a mutual agreement with the patient, the hospital admission office arranges the schedule for medical consultation with the cardiologists on the staff and the various medical tests needed, the hotel accommodation and meals at a local beach resort (for preadmission, while waiting for the scheduled tests, and post-discharge stay for extended recovery observation and relaxation before they fly back to their country). These are all included in the package price ($10,000 to $15,000), the total of which will still be about one-fourth compared to the cost of the same medical care in affluent industrialized nations.

When the patient and his/her family arrive, they met at the airport and shuttled to the beach resort where they will relax and rest for a day or so while waiting for their scheduled tests. At the appointed time, they will be transported to the heart center and admitted to their room, where a cardiac care nurse specialist will greet them and provide them information about the hospital and its facilities, and about the details of the entire “scheduled program” for that particular patient. With precision, all the necessary tests, from blood exam to X-rays, ECHO or heart angiogram, are done with minimal delay and discomfort for the patient and the family. The efficient scheduling, aided by a computerized hospital system and specially-trained staff under strict supervision that is patient-friendly and service-oriented, provides a hustle-free healthcare delivery system that minimizes waiting and delay.

If angioplasty or surgery is needed, it is scheduled within a day or so from the completion of the tests, because all the preparations have been made by then. This prevents unnecessary prolonged hospital stay. In the United States, a patient, as a rule, goes home 24 hours after angioplasty and three-four days after an uncomplicated coronary bypass. The shorter confinement leads to a faster recovery. This also lessens the risk of patients catching nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections from other patients.

After the procedure, when the patient is ready for discharge, he/she and the family are once again shuttled to the same beach resort, or any other resort or hotel they choose, for post-op relaxation, prior to their flight back to their country. All this included in the bargain package of this hustle-free, service-oriented, people-friendly new concept of medical care.

For outsourcing medical care, like heart bypass surgery, which costs private insurers (and Medicare) in the United States at least $55,000, the carrier and the government could save around $40,000, or about 80 percent. So, if they even agree to defray the cost of airfare to Cebu (say $10,000 for four round-trip business class tickets for the patient and three family members) these carriers will still be saving a net of around $30,000 (about P1.5 million). What insurers, especially the government-owned one, would not want to save that much per patient? As a bonus, the patient and the family members will also have the pleasure and enjoyment of a vacation, visiting this resort area of the Philippines and meeting our very hospitable people. Obviously, medical outsourcing is a much more complex political, social, professional, and economic issue than its sounds.

Medical tourism can translate to hundreds of thousand of new jobs, and hundreds of millions of dollars, or a lot more, for the city and the country. Not to mention the enviable international prestige the Philippines will have as a world-class haven for affordable state-of-the-art quality medical care.

Besides, this will also reassure and encourage Filipino expatriates and foreigners from all over the world, especially North America, Europe and Asia, to visit the Philippines more, or even retire in the Philippines.

If India can do it, why can’t we, when our competent medical and nursing care team, and its excellent bedside manner, are famous around the world, especially in the United States, Europe and the Middle East?

Instead of asking why, perhaps we should all ask, why not?

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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our column are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.