Leading healthcare providers gathered recently in Singapore for the “Global Healthcare Congress 2009” to deliberate on the difficult issues each face amidst the changing economic situation. Anchored on two themes: “Crossing International Borders” and “Healthcare Cities and Hospitals of the Future," the assembly discussed increasing foreign patients' travel demands, strengthening their capacity to meet the demands, and the latest developments in state-of-the-art facilities.

“This congress allows everybody in the industry to step back and think about the big issues. It also serves as a wellspring of new ideas and initiatives,” states Magenta Global CEO and program chairperson Maggie Tan. She went on to enumerate some of the priority topics for discussion: “With the number of medical visitors seeking elective treatments likely to dip, will planned investments in healthcare facilities and expansions continue in pace or will it shrink in the face of such economic uncertainty? What are the benchmark and priorities in enhancing hospital capabilities? What new forms of collaborations can be forged within the industry and within the region in the age of globalized healthcare? Lastly, what are the new initiatives toward continuity of [health]care and what are the evolving patients, hospitals, doctors, relationships?”

On the other hand, Josef Woodman, author of “Patients Beyond Borders” and co-chair of the 2009 Congress, gave an optimistic overview of thoughts: “Healthcare is a good business and we should not forget that. I think it is [reflected in the] growth trends that [are] continuing despite the economic downturn.”

Woodman further added: “I believe that we all should be mindful of that fact and how much technology is going to continue to drive the globalization and the internationalization , whether we are talking about transparency, quality assurance being accessed by healthcare consumers or the remote monitoring devices, home healthcare strategies, robotic surgeries, increased efficiencies on outpatient procedures, (and) medicines. All of these will be huge drivers of change on the global healthcare front.”

“And while the healthcare consumers at this point may cross borders for different reasons, whether its quality of healthcare, the cost, or seeking a unique specialty, the numbers of patients heading across for [health]care are going to continue to grow. And with new emphasis on health and wellness travel especially as it begins to pertain to medically-supervised spas and the like, we’ll only broaden the scope of medical healthcare,” he confides.

PATIENTS BEYOND BORDERS II

Meanwhile, coinciding with the event is the launch of Patients Beyond Borders: Singapore Second Edition following the success of the Patients Beyond Borders: Singapore Edition published in July 2007. The announcement was made jointly by Singapore Medicine and Healthy Travel Media.

“Singapore continues to lead the charge as one of the world's top medical destinations,” says Woodman. “With its world-renowned cancer research and regenerative therapies, women’s and pediatric specialty clinics, and specialty Centers of Excellence in cardiology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, dentistry, and more, it’s easy to see why Singapore is the preferred choice for many considering medical travel,” he tells.

The 250-page guidebook features a fully updated, revised, in-depth overview of Singapore’s hospitals and clinics serving international patients, and it now includes 16 pages of color inserts showcasing Singapore’s world-class facilities and attractions. The books will be available for sale via Amazon.com and at leading bookstores. The electronic copy of the first edition can be downloaded from www.singaporemedicine.com.

Woodman finalizes, “When we think about the evolution of global healthcare of which the medical travel and the medical tourism are now an undisputed component, there’ve been remarkable events. The Asian region is now seen as the key hub for global healthcare and as a medical travel destination, not only Singapore but many of the other medical destinations such as Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, and Thailand. While the book can’t take all the credit, we nonetheless serve as an important catalyst."

HEALTHCARE DESTINATIONS

While many are positioning their respective countries in the global scene as a medical hub, Singapore has claimed the lead in providing internationally-accredited, world-class healthcare for international patients since 2003 when SingaporeMedicine, a multi-agency government-industry partnership was formed.

Today, Singapore also lays claim to one-third of Joint Commission International-accredited hospitals in Asia. Last year, the city saw more than 400,000 visitors who sought a wide range of healthcare services from basic screening and wellness services, to cosmetic and commoditised surgeries to high-end surgical procedures and cancer care.

As Singapore moves ahead with its commitment towards strengthening the excellence and reliability of the country’s healthcare offerings, members of the international media were given a guided tour on four of its premier medical institutions accompanied by professionals from their partnering healthcare providers.

(Write the author at welbeing@mb.com.ph)