Medical Tourism Sector Sees Bright Future
Experts are predicting an upward movement for the Philippine medical tourism sector, which is seen to contribute as much as $3 billion to the national economy within the next three years.
The expected industry growth is pegged to the increase in foreigners turning to local medical practitioners and healthcare providers for quality service. This continuous trend will consequently lead to an inflow of benefits to the local medical experts like doctors and nurses. A steady trend of this is expected to lead to medical facilities aiming for international accreditation by improving medical service and upgrading medical facilities.
This, in turn, will lead to an increase in infrastructure, namely medical hospitals, consequently producing more jobs available to Filipinos.
Despite the predicted revenue increase, medical experts are continuously aiming to boost the foreign patient percentage in Philippine hospitals. Statistics reveal that as of February this year, foreigners compose a mere 5% of the overall patient count in major hospitals in the metro.
Furthermore, despite the more than 1,700 hospitals in the country, and the 95,000 nationwide bed capacity, the Philippines is said to still be lagging behind its Asian neighbors, as local nurses and doctors seek higher-paying opportunities abroad.
However, optimism for the medical tourism sector continues, one evident effort being the Sanggunian Panlungsod’s recent approval of a proposal to further develop the health and wellness industry in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental. The ordinance was authored by Councilor Jocelle Batapa-Sigue who, in coordination with the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) was instrumental in organizing the first Health and Wellness Exhibition held in Bacolod.
Councilor Batapa-Sigue’s ordinance calls for the city of Bacolod to develop its health and wellness clusters, specifically through the increase and development of the city’s medical facilities and technology, retirement villages, and the various health and wellness services including spas, therapy facilities, and research and diagnostic services.
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