CEBU, Philippines - Cebu expects to finally take off in attracting the multi-million-dollar medical tourism market in the world, following the move of the government to strengthen the development of medical tourism facilities and services in the Philippines.
In an interview with Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO) director Nelia F. Navarro, she said that together with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Health (DOH), a roadmap on medical tourism is now being formulated, and it initially included two hospitals in Cebu, the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH), and Cebu Doctors Hospital (CDH).
Navarro said it is a good sign that the government has included Cebu in the survey in preparation of the roadmap, considering that it has been positioning as the preferred medical tourism destination in the country.
“We are still within the services in the upcoming new roadmap for medical tourism. A unified tag-line in medical tourism will be introduced soon, and this will give a boost to our efforts in attracting the growing medical tourists in the world,” said Navarro, who is also an active officer of the Cebu Health and Wellness Council (CHWC).
Before the roadmap will be finalized, Navarro said Cebu stakeholders are invited to a feedback session this month, and the three big hospitals in Cebu, the PSH, CDH, and Chong Hua Hospital (CHH) are also invited.
Before the end of this year, roadmap on medical tourism will be introduced, and that it will be the start to promote the Philippines’ potential in this dollar-earning industry, said Navarro.
“This time, once the roadmap will be formally certified by the Office of the President, funding will be given to the sector. And we have been needing it for the improved and more aggressive promotion globally,” she emphasized.
She said the advantage of Cebu, is it has been promoting its potential to attract medical tourists—on its own in the last few years. Now, that the government is now in the forefront, Cebu’s positioning as the destination for “Light Medical Tourism” services is seen to take off immediately.
Already, Cebu has been positioning to gain popularity as a “Light Medical Tourism Destination”, in Asia.
The CHWC, a private-led organization of health and wellness players in Cebu, had been promoting this branding in a bid to get attention for the foreign medical tourists to consider Cebu as their top destination.
In a separate interview CHWC, vice chairperson Jenny Franco said that Cebu has an edge to attract more medical tourism travelers from all over the world, because of its diverse attractions for leisure and vacation.
While Cebu, has yet to provide sophisticated facilities for its the long-staying medical tourists, like those retirees needing an integrated medical tourism village, or similar facilities, the province has an edge in attracting the medical tourists, who are only seeking for minor services, such as executive check-ups, cosmetic treatments, dental services, and others.
Navarro added that part of the action plan of the roadmap, is to fix the service pricing of all medical tourism service providers, insurance issues, and transportability of the travelers. — (FREEMAN)