Best of the Philippines Pinoy Trivia Medical tourism in the Philippines: A win-win solution to rising healthcare costs
| Medical tourism in the Philippines: A win-win solution to rising healthcare costs |
| Written by Dr. Jose Iglesia |
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It does not take rocket science to figure out that the healthcare costs on the developed world, including the US and Europe, are expected to rise dramatically in the coming years. Factors include the growing elderly population, the residual effects of the current financial problems in Wall Street, and other aspects of economics such as supply and demand. Medical tourism has emerged as a potential win-win solution, with quality medical centers as the key component. Medical tourism generally has its upsides, including the delivery of excellent care at relatively much lower costs and usually in a setting of personalized VIP care in 5 star fashion. However, skeptics caution on the issue of post-care follow-up, especially in the case of complications that may arise long after the procedure has been performed. Thus, there is the compelling point of making the right choice for the best physician and the corresponding medical center. As in most matters, it is not just the financial aspect that should be the overriding consideration. The feeling that one has made the best decision in medical tourism in the Philippines, Thailand, or anywhere else, comes when one knows that due diligence has been made in the process, the right care is administered, and most of all, the clinical outcomes are consistent with expectations. From the big picture standpoint, medical tourism may turn out to be a potential win-win solution to address the issue of ever-rising healthcare costs. (Video from youtube.com; posted by thirtyfps 07.07.09) |
