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| Medical Tourism Asia 2008 |
How can Globalisation impact ‘Medical Tourism’? Medical Tourism Asia 2008
Medical Tourism Asia 2008 was officially supported by SingaporeMedicine (Singapore Tourism Board) and organized by IBC Asia. The Medical Tourism Asia Conference was held from the 25th to 28th March 2008 at Rasa Sentosa Resort. It gathered over 200 top-level professionals from health ministries, healthcare institutions, insurers, medical travel agencies and other healthcare providers in the global healthcare market such as Dubai, Mexico and Costa Rica. The Chairman, Dr. Surapong Ambahanwong, Chief Medical and International Business Officer, Phyathai Group of Hospitals, noted on the industry’s steady progress, said “Medical Travel in Asia is growing rapidly, due to the rising wealth in the Asia Pacific region, as well as the increasing globalisation which create ‘free flow’ of goods and services all over the world. Science, Technology, and Knowledge have been “circulating” with the movement of people around the globe … professionals, skilled and non-skilled workers coupled with investments come together as a full circle”. The trade conference included an interactive panel session chaired by Moderator, Mr. Ruben Toral, Chief Executive Officer, MedNet Asia who addressed on fragmentary perspectives and key updates from three leading players in Asia, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand. 
Medical Tourism Asia 2008 also served as a trade and networking platform where healthcare providers gathered to forge business alliances, partnerships, acquire knowledge, share ideas and exchange information. Dr. Surapong added, “People have different schools of thoughts as seen towards the chronicle debate of the terms ‘Medical Travel’ and ‘Medical Tourism’. In other words, do we look at our ‘Elephant’ from the head to tail, or from the tail to the head … just like when you look at the other side of business, opportunity (and foreign direct investment) the industry has in relation to the free movement of capital, labour and production, are these indicating a competition or partnership between global healthcare providers?” On the international front, tourism players in Asia can play a leading role in the international effort to help countries reap the benefits of globalisation and look at innovative strategies on how to reduce healthcare costs for the traveler in this global competition. Important inputs for the conference came from Dr. Jason Yap, Director, Healthcare, Singapore Tourism Board, on his perspectives of (i) national, industrial and patient relations systems, (ii) futurescapes and (iii) challenges of globalization that increase inequality among countries. He presented a thought provoking issue – the constant need for better cooperation between healthcare providers, in order to innovate in terms of their services and cope with the changing aspirations and needs of businesses and a new-generation workforce. To conclude, a universal membership between the tourism players in Asia will bring forward the economies, healthcare facilities, security and confidence to all the people, especially important to emerging markets. 
Medical Tourism Asia 2008 addressed the topics:
Distinguished Speakers:
For more information, please log on to: www.medicaltourism-asia.com
Plenary Speech ‘Charting the Course of Medical Travel for Long-term Sustainability’ by Dr. Jason Yap, Director of Healthcare, SingaporeMedicine, Singapore Tourism Board. Text and Audio Clip Edited by Ai San Yip. Information Courtesy of Singapore Medicine, Singapore Tourism Board and IBC Asia. Photos Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board. All Rights Reserved. |
