Shifts in medical tourism

BANGKOK, 1 August 2017: Kasikorn Research Centre estimates income from international patients at private hospitals will generate THB48 to THB49 billion this year, an increase of 3% to 4% year-on-year.

The bank think-tank unit said the number of patients from the Middle East has declined steadily, mainly due to a change in healthcare policies in their home countries and an improvement in quality and standards of their public health systems.

However, the drop in medical tourists from the Middle East should be compensated by international patients from other regions, in particular Asia such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Japan. Read more

HCMC strives to attract medical tourists

HO CHI MINH CITY, 26 June 2017: Ho Chi Minh City health and tourism agencies believe medical tourism could be the next trend to improve the southern Vietnamese city’s foreign exchange earnings.

Vietnam Net Bridge quoted the city’s Department of Health deputy director, Tang Chi Thuong, saying there had been a global boom in medical tourism and Asian destinations had benefited.

“With highly skilled and experienced physicians, state-of-the-art facilities and advanced medical technologies as well as reasonably-priced services, public and private hospitals have reported a consistent increase in the number of foreign patients.” Read more

Medical tourists bring in the dollars

BANGKOK, 13 March 2017: Medical tourism is a key factor to boost Thailand’s private hospital business, according to Kasikorn Research Centre most recent report.

The bank think-tank unit said private hospitals continue to be a rising star maintaining a high two-digit revenue growth rate and good proportion of it comes from international patients rather than the domestic market..

“Medical tourism helps to generate at least THB40,000 million a year in treatment fees, which does not take into account income related business such as retail, tourism, hotels and restaurants…the medical tourism market is a  key driver for private hospital business success,” the bank said. Read more

Japanese hospital opens in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, 26 September 2016: Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Sen, says the newly opened Sunrise Hospital in Phnom Penh will provide an opportunity for the country to develop medical tourism.

The USD35 million hospital built by Japanese investors opened, last week. It is relatively small with just 52 beds and 100 staff, (30% Japanese), located at Chrouy Changvar district, Phnom Penh.

Khmer Times quoted Prime Minister Hun Sen saying the hospital would have a positive impact on other sectors including tourism and research as its presence would encourage foreign investors. Read more

Angkor fee to support children

SIEM REAP, 10 August 2016: Authorities have pledged that for every visitor who pays USD37 to enter Angkor Wat, USD2 will be donated to the Kantha Bopha hospital.

The new entrance fees are due to take effect 1 February 2017.

Local media said the USD2 deducted from the entrance fee will go to support Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital to provide free treatment for Cambodian children. Read more

Medical tourism attracts more hospitals

BANGKOK, 7 April 2016: Kasikorn Research Centre says medical tourism will continue to grow and private hospitals are likely to benefit the most from an influx of foreign patients.

The bank’s think-tank said that from 2014 to 2015, domestic purchasing power dropped, affecting private hospital revenue. As a result the average revenue growth at private hospitals catering to mainly Thai patients was only 7%.

In contrast, revenue growth of private hospitals with foreign patients reached 11.7% (2014 to 2015). Earnings from international patients rose 15.1% (2014 to 2015). This averaged out at more than 11% when revenue from Thai patients was included Read more