When Min Lee, 54, first toured Seoul’s Chaum Life Center — which is spearheading Korea’s stem cell banking industry — she didn’t quite know what to make of it.
“It rather looks and sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, with all the talk about stem cell treatments,” said Lee, who accompanied her friend to a fitness class at the medical facility and soon found herself touring the luxurious 20,000-square-meter premises in disbelief.
Opened in 2010 and operated by Cha Hospital, one of the larger hospitals in Korea, Chaum has more state-of-the-art technology than a university hospital, but styles itself as a “Life Center.”
It has been the subject of significant media attention recently for its glittering facilities, controversial stem cell treatment, customized schools of therapy and hefty membership fees that match its ritzy Cheongdam-dong location.
The deposit for a membership costs ?170 million (approximately US$152,000, and returned after 10 years) and an additional annual charge of ?4.5 million (approximately US$4,000).
Memberships, which feature a number of checkups and treatments, including stem cell banking, are sold only to Koreans. International patients are billed according to the specific treatments received.
“We are the only facility in the world that incorporates Western medicine, Oriental medicine and alternative medicine,” said Chaum’s global marketing representative Yuna Lee, who works on Chaum’s medical tourism with various international agencies.
Stem cell banking — one of Chaum’s biggest draws — is also the Center’s most controversial marketing vehicle.
“Stem cell treatment is not permitted in most countries, and it is only permitted to some extent in Korea,” said Kyu Sung Rim, president of Chaum. “Reproducing stem cells is not legal here yet, but we are confident that it will soon be legalized.”
Acting on the premise of legalization in the near future, Chaum extracts and stores the stem cells of patients, sending them to its research laboratory in Bundang to be analyzed for the best possible treatment of likely future illnesses.
“Once it becomes legalized, we will then be able to reproduce stem cells and use them for the best possible treatment,” said Rim.
NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens made headlines in the United States when he traveled to Korea for a three-day stem cell treatment for a knee injury at Chaum last September.
“Around 40 percent of our patients are from abroad,” says JiHye Han of Chaum’s public relations team. “We have a lot of Arab princes and princesses and VVIP patients from all over the world, including Europe, the United States and especially China and Japan. Last year, around 900 international patients came here for care.”
As a result of its significant contributions to boosting Korea’s medical tourism, the Life Center recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Korea Tourism Organization for a joint development project.
Apart from stell cell banking, Chaum offers a dizzying array of treatment options that include the most comprehensive medical checkup in the country, sleep therapy in the only sleep capsule machines in Asia, acupuncture and “tea therapy,” as well as doctor-prescribed personalized menus at the facility’s gourmet restaurant Les Trois.
Not all customers have been favorably impressed.
“It’s rather difficult to navigate because the building wasn’t originally built for its current purpose,” said Chaum member Young Seo.
“One of my sons had a checkup at Chaum, and while he said it was nice that all the staff came to him instead of having to go to the various checkup points himself, the staff seemed less experienced than those at university hospitals.”
But most of the reviews have been laudatory. It seems that the premise of customized, preventive and futuristic treatment is proving irresistable for many.
“I like the idea of having stem cells stored away for when I’m going to get sick,” said Lee. “It’s the best kind of insurance.”
HYDERABAD: If cost-effective affordable treatment is what attracts foreigners to India, according to experts, what invites most of the international patients to the city is not just its reputed hospitals but, also the Hyderabadi Deccani culture and its association with middle eastern countries.
According to major hospitals in the city, most of the international patients are from the middle-east and Africa. “With over 50 per cent of patients from the middle-east and Africa, Hyderabad’s medical tourism scenario is rising at around 20 pe cent per annum and stands 4th in the country,” explains Dr K Hariprasad, CEO, Apollo Hospitals.
Mahinder Pala, GM, strategy marketing at Care Hospitals, says that around 700 plus international tourists visit the city every month. “A lot of patients have friends or relatives in the Old City.
Knowing about Hyderabadi culture, they feel more secure in the city. Over the last few months, we have had 50-60 out-patients and around 20 in-patients,” he says.
A good number of international patients also come from south-east Asia and Africa apart from countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and a minimum of 0.1 per cent of them all come from countries like the US and Japan.
The most sought after super specialties are Neurology, ENT, Spine and Orthopaedics.
Hospitals also believe that a boom in medical tourism in the city could be due to the development of the international airport at Shamshabad as well as the global marketing of Indian hospital services.
“We make prior inquiries and appointments before coming to India for treatment. Most of them maintain a special department for handling international patients,” said a patient from Yemen who did not want to be named.
“We take care of the patient right from applying for a visa to providing budget accommodation for the patient’s relatives, foreign exchange facility, bank transfer facility, co-ordination with Indian embassies for visa, FRRO assistance and local shopping assistance etc.
We also have all language interpreters,” said a few of the hospital managers, corroborating what the Yemeni patient said.
One may wonder how the treatment is cost-effective. But Radhey Mohan, senior general manager, international marketing, Apollo Hospitals, points out,
“Hip replacement, knee replacement, heart surgeries, liver transplant, bone marrow transplant, kidney transplant, cancer treatment etc at 1/3rd of the cost compared to the US, the UK or Canada and 1/5th when compared to Thailand and Singapore – that is what we offer.”
Another reason, according to Pala, is that most of the foreigners either do not have medical insurance.
Traveling4Health&Retirement (THR) announces their choice of a dental care sponsor in Costa Rica, a popular Caribbean destination location for overseas retirement and medical travel.
“We are pleased to promote Costa Rica Dental Team as our dental services sponsor in Costa Rica,” said Ilene Little, CEO of Traveling4Health&Retirement.
“The sponsor selection was based on patient-generated reviews, interviews with the company leadership, and excellent ratings from our tour of the Costa Rica Dental Team facilities,” said Ilene Little.
Costa Rica Dental Team (CRDT) provides excellent care for local residents as well as international patients who choose to travel to Costa Rica for significant cost savings paired with a tropical vacation.
“When patients rave about their medical outcomes and a provider’s customer service, that gets our attention,” said Ilene Little, “We only promote and accept sponsorships from providers whose patients and professional peers recommend their services.”
Selecting a medical treatment provider catering to foreign patients is crucial to planning safe and cost-saving overseas medical treatment.
Traveling4Retirement&Retirement, the first resource of its kind connecting travelers interested in alternative planning for medical tourism, presents viable medical provider sources from around the globe.
Traveling4Health&Retirement is proud to introduce travelers to Costa Rica Dental Team as our selected sponsor of dental care in Costa Rica.
Traveling4Health&Retirement gives the latest information and news about affordable medical and dental care.
Traveling4Health&Retirement continues to spearhead the advancements in medical treatment sourcing, the only resource of its kind for travel and health advocacy.
According to Little, “Dental tourism is frequently a patient’s first experience with medical travel because the savings are substantial, and you can find quality dental services equal to, if not better than, what you can find locally.”
“We offer the ‘highest quality’ most affordable dental care in the world,” says Mike Lomax, President of Costa Rica Dental Team, “North Americans seeking world class dental care at deep discounts over most US pricing continue to seek us out, and have made us a leader in dental tourism.
We are pleased to be recognized by Traveling 4 Health & Retirement, and gratified to be invited to join this popular medical tourism information site.”
“I seriously thought about medical travel, because that was what was affordable,” says Cindi Lindquist, a Traveling4Health&Retirement member.
“My husband did a ton of research on the internet for my teeth,” said Lindquist, “We narrowed it down to three dentists, and I called each one of them.”
Cindi Linquist is one of an increasing number of U.S. citizens locating viable alternatives to high cost dental care. Knowledge about medical travel options, commonly referred to as medical tourism, is easily accessible through the Traveling 4 Health & Retirement website.
“Patients really are becoming more and more comfortable taking advantage of medical travel options for cost and quality considerations,” said a THR spokesperson.
Traveling4Health&Retirement is the definitive resource bringing together subject experts to inform members about the newest medical advancements in patient medical services and expert medical providers.
Traveling4Health&Retirement leads the industry with insightful, informative editorial and content about the advantages of medical travel and promoting health advocacy for patients who travel for medical treatment.
Until recently US hospitals all acted independently on inbound medical tourism so there was no co-ordination or co-operation.
There are several new initiatives as part of the US government’s aim to make the country the top global destination for travel, to improve the economy, and discourage outsourcing to other countries.
The US Cooperative for International Patient Programs (USCIPP) was recently launched as a means to increase the global competitiveness of US healthcare providers and to improve access to healthcare in the US for patients from around the world.
USCIPP is a partnership of the International Trade Administration of the US Department of Commerce, UHC, and Rush University.
The aim is for domestic providers catering to international patients to share best practices and potentially grow their business collectively.
In November 2010, the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the Rush University of Chicago, in partnership with the University HealthSystem Consortium, a three-year $500,000 Market Development Cooperative Grant to help increase medical travel to the country.
The idea is to stimulate growth through better data that tracks international patients and services, networking across institutions and the implementation of the best strategic business development practices.
The grant is intended to support President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which aims to double exports (any form of U.S. medical care purchased by people outside the country) by 2015. The aim is to create millions of U.S. jobs with the influx of thousands of patients with a vast array of needs.
Plans include establishing a forum for international patient programme, creating a standardized set of data elements to be reported on international patients, determining the value of medical care exports, hosting a series of meetings focused on strategies to increase the global competitiveness of US health care providers, and developing strategic relationships with ministries of health and private payers abroad
The federal government has been making determined noises about encouraging international travel to the USA. The new Brand USA is a public private partnership with the mission of promoting increased international travel to the United States.
The Department of Commerce is forecasting an increase in international arrivals of 6% a year in 2012-16. President Obama’s ambition is to make the USA the world’s top travel and tourism destination. In 2010, 59.7 million international visitors went to the America, generating some US$134 billion for the economy.
The USA remains the world’s second most visited, after France. The US administration and UNWTO estimate that 62.5 to 63.0 million international travellers visited the USA in 2011. Tourism is already the USA’s most important export service industry.
It is also seen as a way to boost job creation – an urgent priority in the current economic climate. Tourism represents nearly 3% of the country’s GDP and is responsible for some 7.5 million jobs, according to the US Department of Commerce.
Among the steps to be taken by the US administration to boost tourist arrivals is a streamlining of visa formalities. Efforts will be made to expand the Global Entry Program place this year, making it easier for frequent visitors to the USA (who have therefore already undergone a background check) to travel across US borders.
More countries will be invited to join the list of those whose citizens are allowed to visit America without a tourist visa under the visa waiver programme. Steps will also be taken to accelerate travel formalities for booming markets such as Brazil, China and India.
Medical travel has representation in the new travel and tourism strategy, with the appointment of Steven Thompson of Johns Hopkins Medicine International, to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.
Thompson is one of 32 member of the board, which advises the Commerce Department on policies and issues affecting travel and tourism.
Steven Thompson commented,” There is a growing demand for US health services coming from the international community. The adoption of travel policies that encourage and support growth in international travel are vital.”
Posted on 25 December 2011 in Uncategorized by admin
Delhi, the capital of India and the second largest metropolis of India, is the commercial, cultural, and political hotspot of India. Right from the Pandavas, the Delhi Sultanates, and the Mughals to the British Raj, all the ruling dynasties in Delhi have all left behind their legacy in the form of umpteen monuments and archeological sites across Delhi.
Delhi along with Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida, makes the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
Medical Tourism in Delhi
Being home to a number of prestigious institutes such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), and Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi has produced some big names in the field of healthcare. Medical tourism in Delhi is on the rise primarily due to low cost of medical treatments. The high quality of healthcare has also driven up medical tourism in Delhi.
Why Get a Medical Treatment in Delhi
Even after factoring in travel and lodging expenses, patients will be able to save substantially by undergoing medical treatment in Delhi.
The low cost of living in India, together with the inroads it has made in Information Technology and Communication, the benefits of which have been extended to the healthcare sector in India, has made it possible to dispense affordable healthcare in India at a fraction of the costs in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia.
There are numerous JCI and ISO accredited hospitals in the National Capital Region which observe high quality and safety standards. These hospitals feature state-of-the-art equipment and engage the latest technology for treating their patients.
Unlike the hospitals in the US or the UK, where undergoing a surgery means waiting for months before being able to get under the surgeon’s knife, hospitals in Delhi offer their services without keeping their patients in the wait.
International patients can often be squeamish about traveling to a foreign land on account of facing a language barrier. Patients contemplating Delhi can dispel their fears as doctors and staff in Delhi are English-speaking. Reputed hospitals in Delhi also engage language interpreters for a hassle-free healthcare experience for their non-English speaking clientele.
Being the culture capital of India too, Delhi is home to a number of art galleries and museums. It is the starting point of the “Golden Triangle” route, a favorite among those bitten by wanderlust but pressed on time.
Hospitals under the Network of Quality Surgery India in the National Capital Territory
One of the hospitals under the network of Quality Surgery India is a part of a leading hospital chain in India.
It was the first hospital in India to be accredited by the Joint Commission International and an ISO 9002 certification in India.
It holds the distinction of being rated as the “Best hospital in India” by the Week Magazine in 2008.
It also boasts of the largest sleep lab in Asia. It is a one-stop healthcare organization with nearly 52 specialties.
With nearly 652 beds, it is the fourth largest hospital in the world.
This hospital provides a wide array of medical services ranging from interventional cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, cosmetic surgery to biochemistry and many more.
Another hospital under our network in Gurgaon is spread over sprawling 43 acres and engages the services of nearly a thousand doctors.
Another highlight of this hospital is that it takes only a 15-minute drive from the international airport to reach this hospital.
It is a multi specialty hospital and engages state-of-the-art technology such as Da Vinci Robotic Systems, 3 dimensional and 4 dimensional ultra sound, Integrated Brachytherapy Unit and more.
A leading hospital in Gurgaon which was nominated with the coveted Asia Pacific hand Hygiene Excellence Award by the WHO is also under network. This state-of-the-art hospital is a 550 bed multi specialty medical facility running specialized programs on knee surgery, asthma, epilepsy, shoulder pain, etc.
Language
Official Languages of Delhi: English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi
English is widely spoken in Delhi. Most of the doctors and their staff in Delhi hospitals are English-speaking. As a part of the value addition plan for the recently held Commonwealth Games, the traffic policemen and Delhi Transportation Corporation drivers and conductors were given lessons in English for facilitating a good travel experience for the foreign visitors in Delhi.
Most of the reputable hospitals in the city engage the services of language interpreters to facilitate communication with non-English speaking patients.
Language Tips
Language: Hindi and Urdu
Hello – Namaste in Hindi and Salaam in Urdu
Thanks – Dhanyavaad in Hindi and Shukriya in Urdu
Good – Acha (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Bad – Bura (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Help – Mudud (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Price – Daam in Hindi and Keemat in Urdu
I – Mey (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Tomorrow – Kal (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Today – Aaj (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Yesterday – Kal (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Yes – Haa (Both Hindi and Urdu)
No – Nahi (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Where is ….? – ……. kaha hai? (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Food – Bhojan in Hindi and Khaana in Urdu
Water – Paani (Both Hindi and Urdu)
Climate of Delhi
Delhi experiences a hot and humid climate for most part of the year. It gets quite pleasant in October, November, February and March and are also ideal for visiting Delhi.
Summers (March to July): It can get extremely hot in May and June with the entire region reeling under heat waves. The maximum temperatures in Delhi when the summers are at their peak can touch 45oC (114oF). Average temperatures during summers are around 32 o C (90oF).
Monsoons (rainy season from July to September): Delhi does not receive very heavy rainfall. The average rainfall from July to September is 178 mm.
Monsoons retreat in October and November and these months are marked by a dip in the night temperatures.
Winters (November to February): During late December and early January, minimum temperatures can be as low as 3 to 4º C. The extreme chilly winds from the Himalayas can make the mercury dip to as low as -1 º C. The month of January is marked by dense fog engulfing the whole city thereby reducing visibility. It is advisable to avoid venturing out early in the morning and at night to avoid chances of getting involved in a mishap. Many domestic and international flights often get cancelled, much to the chagrin of the travelers.
Clothing
Carry light fabric clothes when visiting Delhi in summers. Since it can get quite muggy in monsoons, carry suitable clothes from July to mid September. Winters in Delhi can be quite chilly. So, it is advisable to carrying heavy woolen clothes in winters.
Time Zone
India is five hours and thirty minutes ahead of the Greenwich Meantime (GMT+5.5 hrs). The entire country operates under a single time zone.
Visa Requirements
Getting a visa to India can take a lot of time. It is recommended that intended visitors plan the entire trip at least 7-8 weeks in advance, keeping margin for the time taken for getting a visa issued. The Indian government has also started issuing special medical visas, though their issuance can take longer time than regular visas.
Please feel free to contact Quality Surgery India for any queries.
Internet Access
There are numerous cyber cafes all over Delhi providing broadband services, though the Internet speed can be lower than the speeds in the US and Canada.
Dialing Code for Delhi
Country code for India is +91. City area code for Delhi is 011. You will have to dial Country Exit Code+91-11-Telephone number. There are a number of telephone facilities called Public Call Offices or PCOs in all the marketplaces in Delhi. These offices facilitate domestic and international phone calls.
Important Telephone Numbers
Emergency/ Police – 100
Ambulance -102
Fire – 101
National number for Police/Fire and Ambulance – 108
Directory assistance – 197
Delhi Police Help-lines
Children – 1098
Women – 1091 and +91-11-24121234
Inform bout crime – 1090
Anti Stalking Cell – 1096, +91-11-27894455
Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation – Ph: +91-11-24647005, 24698431, 24618026
Tourist Central Reservation Office – Ph: +91-11-23365358, 23363607
Tourist City Information Service- Ph: +91-11-1280
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd.
24 Hours DMRC Helpline No.: +91-11-155370
Delhi Transport Corporation -
Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) Kashmiri Gate – Phone No. +91-11-23868836, 23865181
Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) Sarai Kale Khan, Phone No. +91-11-24358092
Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) Anand Vihar, Phone No. +91-11-2215243
New Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport: +91-124-3376000
Posted on 23 December 2010 in Uncategorized by admin
Being the President of Stackpole & Associates, Irving Stackpole will give a presentation entitled “Motivating the High End Market:Attracting the Most Profitable International Patients” on the 5th of May 2010 at the European Medical Travel Conference in Venice, Italy.
Medical strategies are different from marketing campaigns. Medical Strategies are use to catch the attention of numerous medical tourist that needs complicated medication while marketing campaigns are intended for casual international health and wellness traveler.
The psychological profiles of international patients seeking medical procedures that are complex require marketing plans featuring competent, confidence building messages rather than the “fun in the sun” campaigns designed for medical travelers seeking low acuity treatments. Understanding the different between these two market segments is vital to achieving success in the medical tourism industry.
There are differences in motivational factors among individuals having an orthopedic or cardiac procedure compare to someone having a minor cosmetic on dental medication. Understanding their differences is essential for marketing campaign creations that will catch the attention of numerous health travelers.
More and more countries are now placing vast priority on medical tourism as their identify the importance to the industry. Competition on attracting international patients that needs serious medical treatment is
As more and more countries identify medical tourism as a national priority, competition for international patients who require complex care are a ripe target in that they purchase high cost, high margin medical care as well as staying in country for an extended period of time. These types of international visitors are a substantial value added to the local economy and are going to be the focus of more and better targeted marketing efforts, Marketing tips and other helpful hints will be provided as part of Mr. Stackpole’s presentation to help organizations secure the types of clients they seek.
Established in 1991, Stackpole & Associates provides marketing, market research, and business development solutions for providers, consumers, and customers in healthcare, senior living and human services. For the medical tourism industry, Stackpole & Associates can help businesses identify prospective clients globally with a focus on the US, UK and Canada, and then ensure that the products and services offered to those customers carry the right message in the right way. The company is an active member of the Medical Tourism Association.
Posted on 17 December 2010 in Uncategorized by admin
According to reports voiced at a recent Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) seminar in Qatar Thailand currently holds a 38% stake in the world’s medical tourism market, the largest of any country in the globe.
Qatar, the 5th of October 2010: Dr. Surapong Ambhanwong (Phayathai Hospital Chief Medical & International Business Officer) explained that the passage of international patients was currently producing an estimated 920,000 travellers to the Kingdom of Thailand annually, making it the number one destination for medical tourists.
Speaking at the inaugural Medical Health and Wellness Roadshow in Doha, Qatar, Dr. Ambhanwong explained that the scope of procedures being undertaken in Thailand was wide, covering areas such as plastic surgery, joint replacement, cancer treatment, open heart surgery and dental care.
“Many also visit Thailand to seek professional advice for a better quality of life, through Thailand’s many alternative medical centres and hospitals, to help control and reduce the threat of diabetes, cholesterol, obesity and blood pressure,” he said.
The roadshow, organised in conjunction with the TAT, was aimed at promoting Thailand’s expertise and specialisation in providing cutting-edge medical care throughout the world and in particular focusing on the Gulf States.
The initiative will see representatives from Thailand’s leading hospitals and wellness centers visit the Middle East to meet directly with industry professionals and medical travel consultants as well as regional government administrators.
Present at the roadshow, TAT director Pramoth Supyen revealed that Middle Eastern travel to Thailand was constantly on the rise, whether seeking medical care or leisure travel. He stated that the TAT was now focusing its aims on further promoting tourism in the region based on the success of initial cooperation with region governments.
“Thailand proves an attractive option as a medical destination due to the country’s well established industry to provide high quality, cost effective treatment of international standards,” he said “the medical industry has proven itself with the added advantage of providing far superior nursing care, as well as the unique Thai approach and attention to personal care”.
Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure done to alter the stomach to treat severe obesity. Bariatric surgery is a term derived from the Greek words: ”weight” and ”treatment.” Bariatric surgical procedures are major gastrointestinal operations that (a) seal off most of the stomach to reduce the amount of food one can eat
For 2011, the German National Tourist Board’s tourism campaign will focus on health and medical tourism. This includes health and fitness, spas, health resorts, wellness and beauty hotels, hospitals and clinics.
Excelsior Indian Healthcare is one of the leading medical tourism companies provides affordable and low cost gastric bypass surgery to the patients across the border. Excelsior Indian Healthcare offers the patients with the services of vastly experienced and abroad expertise obesity surgeons of India. International patients especially from UK and USA come in abundance to India to get the surgery done in India.