Category Archives: Reports,Features, Statistics

India to Be No. 1 for Growth in Wellness Tourism by 2019: Study

Posted on July 7, 2014 | Comments Off on India to Be No. 1 for Growth in Wellness Tourism by 2019: Study
Apollo Hospital in Madurai.

Apollo Hospital in Madurai.

Dubai  (PTI) :

India could be number one for growth globally in the wellness tourism sector in the next five years, clocking over 20 percent gains annually through 2017, according to a recent study.

Wellness tourism is a $439 billion industry worldwide within the $3.2 trillion global tourism industry, representing 14 percent of all tourism spending, it said.

The study conducted by SRI International projected India to be number one globally for growth in wellness tourism over the next five years, clocking over 20 percent gain annually through 2017.

Wellness tourism is travel for the purpose of promoting health and well-being through physical, psychological, or spiritual activities.

The study predicted India’s total wellness market to surpass $18 billion in the next four years. Luxury Wellness Tourism segment is estimated to grow nearly 50 percent faster than global tourism by 2017, it was reported on the sidelines of a three-day exhibition “Royal India Wellness 2014” which concluded here June 13.

SRI International is a U.S.-based nonprofit, independent research and innovation center serving government and industry.

“India has wealth of knowledge and medical systems to treat people and maintain their health through natural means and therapies,” said Paras Shahdadpuri, president of Indian Business and Professionals Council.

“India must come forward and give its gift of naturopathy to the mankind. It has a hidden treasure which should be discovered,” he said at the exhibition.

“Unfortunately, we got used to quick fix through allopathy which treats only the manifestations rather than the cause,” he said.

The exhibition on Indian wellness brands with their packages on rejuvenation, holistic healing and prevention and reversal of lifestyle diseases was organized here to reach out to the health conscious people.

source: http://www.indiawest.com / IndiaWest / Home> Story> Life & Style> Health & Beauty / by PTI / Friday – June 20th, 2014

Comments Off on India to Be No. 1 for Growth in Wellness Tourism by 2019: Study

Posted in Reports,Features, Statistics, Wellness Tourism

Medical Tourism Business Gets 50 Mln Yuan from Investment Company

Posted on July 6, 2014 | Comments Off on Medical Tourism Business Gets 50 Mln Yuan from Investment Company

Chinese firm that helps patients travel to well-known hospitals in countries like U.S. and Britain gets the backing of Sequoia Capital China

_________________________________________

By staff reporter Li Yan

(Beijing) :

An international investment company signed an agreement on June 16 to invest 50 million yuan in a Chinese company specializing in medical tourism.

Sequoia Capital China signed the agreement with Beijing Saint Lucia Consulting Co. Ltd., the first investment deal in the country’s growing medical tourism industry.

Saint Lucia Consulting is a member of the Medical Tourism Association (MTA), which is based in the United States. The MTA is a global non-profit association for the medical tourism and “international patient” industries.

Being a member of MTA allows the company to negotiate with foreign hospitals directly, said Cai Qiang, the founder of Saint Lucia Consulting. The company sends employees to help patients during their journey to get medical treatment overseas. The workers help patients plan travel, take care of medical records and get approval from foreign hospitals.

Only a few Chinese companies cooperate with foreign organizations to provide these services. Saint Lucia Consulting has signed agreements with many top hospitals in the United States, Britain, Germany, South Korea and Singapore. It works with Massachusetts General Hospital and Mayo Clinic in the United States, and Wellington Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital in Britain.

“The demand for overseas medical services will be great in the future,” said Zhou Kui, a partner at Sequoia Capital.

Sequoia Capital China carried out a review of Saint Lucia Consulting, sending specialists to carry out research at its overseas partner hospitals, Zhou said.

“We do not expect the investment to provide a return in a short period,” he said. “It targets long-term growth.”

The investment will help Saint Lucia Consulting provide more high-quality services, Cai said, but it still might not be ready to expand quickly.

Saint Lucia Consulting was registered in April 2011 in Beijing with capital of 8.8 million yuan. It is the largest overseas medical service provider in China, the company’s website said. It became a member of the MTA in 2011.

On May 23, the Mayo Clinic signed an agreement with Saint Lucia Consulting to receive Chinese patients through the company.

Over the past five years, the number of Chinese patients going to Mayo Clinic rose from 30 to about 200, said Melissa Goodwin, director of the clinic’s international office.

Sequoia Capital set up Sequoia Capital China with Chinese businessmen in September 2005. It mainly focuses on the fields of technology, media, medical services and energy. It has invested in 150 companies, including about 30 listed firms. The health care industry is its second largest target, getting about 25 percent of its total investment, Zhou said.

(Rewritten by Guo Kai)

source: http://www.english.caixin.com / Caixin Online / Home> Business & Industry> Top Stories Industry / by Staff Reporter Li Yan / June 18th, 2014

Comments Off on Medical Tourism Business Gets 50 Mln Yuan from Investment Company

Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Others, Reports,Features, Statistics, Uncategorized

Jamaican Private Sector Urged to Boost Health Tourism

Posted on July 5, 2014 | Comments Off on Jamaican Private Sector Urged to Boost Health Tourism

bandera-jamaicaCT05jul2014

Kingston, (Prensa Latina)

Health Minister Fenton Ferguson urged the private sector to join government strategies to promote health tourism, according to official sources.

“My view is to turn Jamaica into a center of health reference for the Caribbean and to attain this the provate sector will have to contribute by offering services to broaden the scope and depth of the offer in this sector,” said Ferguson in a communique.

He recalled that Jamaica has good healthprofessionals, as well as a good development of the tourism sector, backed by good transport connections, making health care easier and at a lower price than that offered in other countries around the world.

He also considered that the government/private sector alliance, supported by the Development Bank of Jamaica, might mean opportunities for the creation of new businesses or the expansion of existing operations.

According to experts, Jamaica is one of the favorite places of visitors from around the world that look for health tourism, lasure and adventure sports.

ef/rma/mgt/dav
Modificado el ( martes, 24 de junio de 2014 )

www.plenglish.com / Prensa Latina / Home> Kingston – June 24th, 2014

Comments Off on Jamaican Private Sector Urged to Boost Health Tourism

Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Reports,Features, Statistics

Malaysia urged to play ‘catch-up’ in medical tourism field

Posted on July 4, 2014 | Comments Off on Malaysia urged to play ‘catch-up’ in medical tourism field

Kuala Lumpur :

In 1997, Thailand’s hospital sector faced its greatest challenge yet in the wake of the global financial crisis.

The Thai Baht collapsed, and many hospitals which had ramped up their capacity, saw patient numbers plunge.

They then came up with an idea. Why not market Thailand an affordable healthcare destination to reduce the supply glut and bring in foreign currency?

And now, Thailand boasts itself as one of the world’s top medical tourism spots.

The country ushered in 2.5 million tourists last year seeking medical treatment, translating into total receipts of US$4.31 billion.

Malaysia, on the contrary, received 770,134 medical tourists last year.

Despite the figure having doubled since 2010, industry watchers said Malaysia had a lot of catching up to do.

According to Villa Media International Corporate Director of Medical Services, Datuk Professor Dr Nor Shahidah, Malaysia is well positioned to win more medical tourist dollars.

“Malaysia has an affordable and good healthcare system. We are a multiracial, multicultural society with good food, and all this bodes well for the industry,” she told a forum here recently.

Citing figures from the World Health Tourism Congress, she said Malaysia’s medical tourism sector revenue is expected to jump to RM630 million this year, from RM288 million in 2009.

However, the country has to find its niche in fending off the intense competition from neighbouring rivals such as Singapore and South Korea, industry watchers said.

One area is halal healthcare, Shahidah noted.

“Demand for halal personal care products and pharmaceuticals is driven by increased consumer knowledge and ingredients used in the formulation of such products as well as the way it is produced.

“Conscientious consumers are specifically reaching out for halal-endorsed products and choose to spend money on cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to fit religious and cultural requirements,” she added.

The global Muslim consumer base is estimated at 1.8 billion across 100 countries.

According to CIMB Securities Thailand Equity Research Head, Kasem Prunratanamala, Malaysia should take advantage of Thailand’s existing political turmoil as tourists are refraining from visiting the country.

Thailand has faced months of unrest beginning with anti-government protests in Bangkok in November. The military took power via a coup last month.

Despite Thailand still holding on to the crown, its medical tourism sector is not without a fair share of challenges, Kasem said.

“These include a shortage of medical staff, a lack of foreign language skills, weaker research and development, and incomplete medical malpractice regulations,” he added.

Industry watchers also advised local players to pay attention to the location of their medical facilities.

Family members accompanying the patient would want a location near shopping malls and hotels, so that they can enjoy a hassle-free vacation, while the person concerned seeks treatment, they said. –BERNAMA

source: http://www.nst.com.my / New Straits Times Online / Front Page / Kuala Lumpur – June 22nd, 2014

Comments Off on Malaysia urged to play ‘catch-up’ in medical tourism field

Posted in Reports,Features, Statistics

Ethiopian Capital Setting Up Medical Zone To Boost Health Tourism

Posted on July 3, 2014 | Comments Off on Ethiopian Capital Setting Up Medical Zone To Boost Health Tourism

Addis Ababa :

The Ethiopian North American Health Professionals Association (ENAHPA), a body formed by Ethiopian professionals in the diaspora to promote healthcare in Ethiopia, will establish a medical zone in Addis Ababa to turn the city into a centre for medical tourism.

According to Feisel Aliyi, an official of Directorate-General of Diaspora Engagement Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ENAHPA and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have signed an agreement to develop the zone to become East Africa’s centre of excellence for cancer treatment to benefit member states of IGAD.

Cancer patients from East African countries, including Ethiopia, have been travelling to European countries and Bangkok to seek better medical treatment at a high cost.

Feisel said the establishment of the zone will reduce the need to travel and save hard currency, further noting that the centre will provide advanced medical treatment currently not available in this region.

ENAHPA has over 300 Ethiopian health professionals living in North America and Europe.

— BERNAMA-NNN-ENA

source: http://www.bernama.com / Bernama – National News Agency of Malaysia / Home> World> News / Addis Ababa – June 23rd, 2014

Comments Off on Ethiopian Capital Setting Up Medical Zone To Boost Health Tourism

Posted in Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment, Health /Medical Treatment For Overseas Treatment, Healthcare Cities, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Medical Treatment/Health Treatment Subject By Speciality, Reports,Features, Statistics, Travelling For Surgery Abroad / Medical Surgery Overseas