Preparing for medical and retirement tourism

Despite the well-known inadequacies of our public health system, there are a number of relatively well-run privately-owned hospitals that serve a growing number of foreigners, mostly Americans, in search of medical care. These entities are gearing to cash in on the expected boom in medical tourism.

Given the high cost of health care in the US nowadays, it is easy to see why Americans need little persuasion to take that transcontinental trip and surrender themselves to offshore surgical procedures. Savings reportedly can go up to as high as 80 percent of current treatment costs in the US.

Americans also find comfort in the fact that many Filipino doctors who perform treatment on their various ailments have been trained in the best US hospitals. That’s really a plus factor in persuading Americans to come to the Philippines. This competitive edge is, however, eroding fast as many of these trained doctors would rather stay abroad until things get better in the Philippines.

On the other hand, insurance companies in the US are now more open to accrediting Philippine hospitals, and therefore are more amenable to reimbursing hospitalization and medical treatment costs incurred by their clients here. Even dentists are cashing in on this.

Until the US is able to reform its bureaucratic healthcare system and wean it from the clutches of their medical insurance industry, we can expect more Americans to come to the Philippines, not just to undergo treatment, but also to spend some time (and more dollars) here while recuperating.

Looming shortage problem

There is a looming problem though. Similar to the tourism industry which is now experiencing hotel room shortages, there is a big possibility that the growth of our budding medical tourism industry will be prematurely stopped by a possible scarcity in hospital facilities, as well as services.

In Metro Manila, for example, there is only St. Luke’s Hospital, Asian Hospital, Medical City and Makati Medical Center to count on. As it is, local residents are already experiencing the occasional tightness in getting admitted to these hospitals.

There is also the challenge of discriminating retirees who would want to spend the remainder of their pension-supported years here. Naturally, these senior citizens want to be assured that their varied health concerns could adequately be met in currently promoted retirement havens such as Bohol, Ilocos Sur, Palawan, and Cagayan de Oro.

Synergy needed

Proponents of medical tourism — which is also being pushed by the Tourism Department due to its earning potential — must work hand in hand with retirement industry people and healthcare providers to form some kind of synergy.

Those in the retirement industry have to make sure that medical facilities, satellite clinics in key locations (including 24-hour clinics and aero-lift services, which was one of the topics discussed in the 1st Retirement and Investment Summit) are made accessible and available.

Developing healthcare facilities and services for both medical tourism and the retirement industry would be more viable in terms of cost. Likewise, medical tourists impressed with the quality of medical care extended to them may be enticed to take advantage of our retirement industry — and vice versa.

Retirement havens

The Philippine Retirement Authority, the private sector-backed Philippine Retirement Inc. and other government agencies, stakeholders and the Filipino people in general must be up to the challenge posed by the demands of the retirement industry.

Retirement havens can help boost the demand for real estate property. But this must be developed with a view to adequate support systems — a local government that can ensure peace and order, reliable transport systems including for air travel, and decent recreational services.

The tourism effort must also make sure that foreigners and balikbayans are treated with courtesy and professionalism — from the time they arrive at our airports up to when they check in at their hotels or retirement villages or hospitals.

As we had previously emphasized in past columns, we need courteous and honest drivers who will not shortchange tourists. We need reliable money changing shops that will not try to gyp visitors changing currencies. We must have supportive laws that are red tape-free.

We need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. Otherwise, we lose the momentum of cashing in on a growing reputation for reliable and affordable medical services as well as a potential home where foreigners can spend the rest of their lives in comfort.

Biggest non-wager poker skills tourney

The Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) Million-Peso Hold’em Philippine Championship is turning out to be the biggest non-wager poker skills competition in the country. In search for local poker talents, the PPT has conducted qualifying/satellite tournaments in various locations such as Angeles City, Tagaytay City, Bacolod City, Cebu, Davao and Metro-Manila.

Winners of these qualifying/satellite tourneys earn seats to the Grand Finals to be held on 16th & 17th December 2006, at Casino Filipino Pavilion-Manila. At stake are guaranteed prizes amounting to P3 million to be distributed to thirty winners with the Champion receiving P1 million and the prestigious Champion’s Bracelet.

PPT has scheduled satellites at Elbow Room, Metro Walk, Pasig City (every Tuesday and Thursday), San Mig at Alabang Town Center (every Friday), Valle Verde Country Club (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) and at Nonoy Tirol’s Rajah Hotel, Cebu City (every Friday).

On Saturday, 25th November 2006, Casino Filipino Davao and Casino Filipino Tagaytay are hosting simultaneously qualifying/satellite tournaments to give Davao and Metro Manila players the opportunity to win seats to the Grand Finals.

Details about the venues and schedules of other qualifying/satellite tournaments are posted in the Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) official web site at www.PhilippinePokerTour.com <http://www.philippinepokertour.com/> . Those interested to join these satellite/qualifying tournaments may also call the PPT Secretariat (c/o Cindy) at 817-9092 or 812-0153.

Ten winners in Manila Pavilion Poker challenge

After seven hours of deliberate moves, bluffing and counter-bluffing, 10 winners emerged in the tough qualifying competition held last Saturday at Casino Filipino Pavilion-Manila for the Philippine Poker Tour Million-Peso Hold’em Philippine Championship.

The players that earned seats to the Grand Finals to be held on 16th and 17th December at Casino Filipino Pavilion-Manila are Jody Ong, Ronald Javier, Dennis Gamboa, Jun del Prado, Jeff Cabato, Joseph Sia, Enrique Primicias, Cris Bautista, Joel Yu and Mauri Bulauitan.

Congratulations to the winners. For those who almost made it to the final table, test your skills again in the satellite/qualifying tournaments scheduled between now and the Grand Finals.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected] or at [email protected]. If you wish to view the previous columns, you may visit my website at http://bizlinks.linkedge.biz