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Last Updated: Sep 25th, 2006 - 11:36:04 |
Mideast patients the fastest-growing sector
"This is the fastest-growing sector," said Curtis Schroeder, Group chief executive of Bumrungrad Hospital, which considers itself the world's most international hospital.
"Traditionally, many of our Middle Eastern patients would have gone to the United States, United Kingdom or Germany for medical treatment," he said, but that since the events of September 9, 2001, many have had to look at alternative arrangements, with Thailand standing out as one of the most interesting choices.
And it was just at the right time that Thai hospitals improved their facilities to go along with already well-qualified doctors, he said.
"There is no technology that is available that we cannot provide here," he said.
This is not to mention the renowned Thai hospitality and the fact that the devaluation of the baht also makes healthcare service less expensive, he said.
He said that Middle Easterners made up the majority of Bumrungrad's overseas patients - from 5,000 in 2000, the hospital treated 71,000 Middle Eastern patients in 2005.
"The number has increased 38 per cent six years in a row," said Schroeder, adding that he expects to see the same growth rate in the next six years.
Boasting the kind of facilities demanded by foreign patients, including an immigration centre to assist on visa issues, it is not only Bumrungrad that is gearing up to serve the Middle East sector, with several other Thai hospitals are transforming themselves to meet the needs of Arab clients.
"We have tried to create an environment that makes them feel at home," said Chatree Duangnet, the chief executive of Bangkok Hospital, of the recently built Bangkok International Hospital, which has an entire floor decorated in an Arabic style, with Halal food and prayer rooms also available.
Nearby is a new three-floor hotel catering to the family members of patients, Chatree said, adding that Bangkok Hospital has also seen a steep rise in patients from the Middle East.
"In fact, over the past five months, the number of Middle Eastern patients has increased more than 200 per cent," he said, adding that he expects to see around 70,000 to 80,000 patients by the end of the year.
The increasing numbers of patients will not only include private patients looking for value-for-money treatment, but also those sent by their governments, as some Thai hospitals have contracts with governments such as the United Arab Emirates and Oman, Chatree said.
He said that these Middle East governments usually took care of all the medical costs for their officials and that traditionally staff members were sent to Germany, the United Kingdom and other Western countries.
But now, these governments are sending their staff to Thailand, where the level of medical service is comparable to that in Western countries but at a cheaper price, he said.
"We have a high quality healthcare service at a very competitive price. Our service is world renowned and people find Thailand an exotic destination [for a holiday]. We are lucky to have all the characteristics needed to be a medical hub," he said.
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