THIS WEEK IN MEDICAL TRAVEL TODAY
Volume 4, Issue 10

by Amanda Haar, Editor

Greetings,

The impact of U.S. health care reform continues to be top of mind for many in the medical travel industry and was the focus of a recent presentation by Medical Travel Today's publisher Laura Carabello. Speaking at the European Medical Travel Conference 2010 in Venice, Carabello examined the ways in which reform might boost medical travel opportunities and how those in the industry might consider taking advantage of those opportunities. To view her presentation, click here.  A summary of her presentation and observations from the conference will be included in our next issue.

We hope you'll take a moment to read our opening story on a forthcoming film based upon the true, emotional story of the tragic loss of a teenager and the importance of organ donation. The film's director, Rick Bieber, is preparing for a series of screenings and presentations at international and domestic hospitals. Perhaps you will consider a private screening for your own organizations.

As always, we welcome your comments, story ideas, and press releases.

Cheers,

Amanda Haar, Editor
ahaar@cpronline.com

The Fifth Quarter Wins Top Awards at Charleston International Film Festival:  Producer, Writer and Director Rick Bieber Launches Private Screening and Seminar Events

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – May 3, 2010 – When soon-to-be released “The 5th Quarter” captured Best Film and Best Feature awards at the Charleston International Film Festival, its writer, producer and director Rick Bieber launched a nationwide tour entitled, “Make It About Something - Filmmaking And Social Responsibility.” Drawing upon his robust 25-year career in the movie industry as an executive and filmmaker, Bieber offers private pre-screenings of The 5th Quarter followed by discussions of the power of film to entertain, educate and inspire.

The 5th Quarter -- starring Andie MacDowell, Aidan Quinn -- is based upon the true, emotional story of the tragic loss of a teenager (Luke Abbate), and the response of his older brother Jon, who changes his jersey to Luke’s number 5, dedicates the football season to his memory, and leads his underdog Wake Forest Demon Deacons to its ’06 ACC Championship, becoming the most improved team in America. It is a story of faith, family, football, and the gift of life (organ donation) as a young mother is saved when receiving Luke’s heart.

Bieber says that films like The 5th Quarter help bring meaning and clarity to our everyday lives, provoking us to consider our own social and spiritual consciousness:  “This is a very moving and provocative film, effectively educating the public about organ/tissue donation and tackling the sensitivities of bereavement and commitment to faith and family. Itfollows the traditions of great films that communicate a sense of strong, moral integrity and are embraced by generations of moviegoers."

Martha Anderson, executive VP, Donor Services, Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, says, “This movie offers the most accurate depiction of the heartbreak of the loss of a child, and the impact of organ and tissue donation on a waiting patient.  The family’s grief over their son's death, and eventual decision to allow him to be an organ donor, demonstrate the beauty and hope the gift of life offers."

Bieber began his career in the New York offices of Columbia Pictures Industries, owned and operated his own independent companies, served as chief executive of several prominent entertainment companies including HBO Pictures, and Stonebridge Entertainment which he founded with partner Michael Douglas, and was responsible for the production of over 30 feature films, television and cable movies.

Special guests may appear with Bieber, subject to availability, including an extensive list of celebrities from film, television, and sports communities whose lives or families have been affected by organ donation.

To arrange a private screening of The 5th Quarter and personal appearance by Rick Bieber: Dana Taormina, 201.641.1911 x53, dtaormina@cpronline.com or visit www.rickbieber.com

SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler

Editor's Note: Medical travel professionals watching the Vancouver Winter Olympic games had an extra reason to cheer this year. In addition to witnessing the power of training and commitment by world-class athletes, those who watched the men's bobsled also witnessed the power of medical travel.

In 2007, Steve Holcomb, driver of the U.S. mens’ four-man bobsled, was going blind due to a degenerative eye condition called Keratoconus. He was told the only hope of regaining his vision was a corneal transplant. While offering promising results, a transplant was invasive and the results would be fragile in nature, meaning it would not help Holcomb regain the ability to drive again. However, the U.S. Bobsled Federation wasn't ready to give up its best driver just yet. Instead, they researched and discovered a new, non-surgical procedure called C3-R treatment.

As described by Brian Boxer Wachler, M.D., who pioneered the treatment, C3-R "uses vitamin applications and light to strengthen the cornea…and cure the disease without the need for a cornea transplant."  The treatment takes 30 minutes and is performed in a doctor's office without anesthesia.

In December 2007, Holcomb traveled 700 miles to the Boxer Wachler Vision Institute to undergo the treatment. The results were nothing short of miraculous for Steve and the team. Thanks to the treatment and a pair of implantable contact lenses used to further enhance Holcomb's vision, Holcomb not only resumed his driver position on the U.S. four-man bobsled team, he steered the team to gold – the first U.S. bobsled medal of any color in 50 years.

Medical Travel Today spoke with Dr. Boxer Wachler about the C3-R treatment and his role in this great Olympic story.

Steve Holcomb and Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler just after Steve and the U.S. Bobsled Team won gold in Vancouver.

Medical Travel Today (MTT): First, congratulations on your contribution towards helping the United States Bobsled team bring home its first medal, and a gold one at that, in 50 years.

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler (BBW): Thank you. I can't express to you what an absolute thrill it was to be there and witness Steve and his team cross that finish line. I really did cry like a baby when we knew they had taken the gold. And honestly, I was just one of many people who helped the dream come true.

MTT: Yes, I understand that it was the bobsled team and Olympic committee that really made the dream possible.

BBW: That's right. Steve had actually retired from the sport for two years because of the issue with his eyes.

Meanwhile the U.S. Olympic committee was trying to get the team ready for Vancouver. They asked, "what do you need to win?"  Steve's teammates basically said, "We need Steve." They recognized that he was the best driver ever in the history of the U.S. team. They told the Olympic committee that their best chance at gold was with Steve. The committee then turned around and charged the team doctor, Dr. Stoll, with finding a way to get Steve in driving form.

When Steve was first diagnosed, it was recommended he get a corneal transplant.  The procedure can certainly be very effective, but it would not allow him to ever drive a sled again. That wasn't going to work.

Dr. Stoll began looking for alternatives and found me.

I looked at Steve's records and then examined him and determined he was a good candidate for the C3-R procedure. In reality, he got that procedure paired with a vitamin application and light treatment. Then three months later he received implantable contacts in both eyes just to further refine his vision.

MTT: We learned through the media that Steve Holcomb's procedure was not covered by insurance. Is that true for all patients seeking this procedure?

BBW: C3-R is typically an out-of-pocket expense. But even so, I perform it on a weekly basis and pretty much have for the past six years.

When it comes to sight, people are quite willing to pay what they can and travel as far as they need to retain or regain it.

MTT: From where do your patients come and how do they find you?

BBW: They literally come from all over the world. Most find me by simply doing research on the web.  I do enough papers and presentations on the topic that my name tends to pop up. I've also authored a book, Modern Management of Keratoconus and the Lasik Consumer Report.

Once they get my name, they can find my websites (Boxerwachler.com, www.KeratoconusInserts.com).

MTT: Do most of your patients work through a facilitator?

BBW: No, my office handles many of the arrangements for them. We started treating international patients about seven years ago…even before C3-R. At that time we simply began making arrangements for their travel, lodging, sightseeing, and so on. Now we have a fairly comprehensive system in place.  

MTT: Do you currently work with medical travel facilitators?

BBW: Not presently, but I'd be happy to consider working with them. My focus is on performing procedure to save or regain sight, not facilitating travel. If I can find partners who want to help bring more patients in for procedures, I'm all for it.

MTT: What kind of services do you offer pre- or post-care, specifically for patients travelling great distances?

BBW: We'll see them for a minimum of three days. Generally one day in advance of the procedure to do a final exam and handle pre-op procedures. Then one day for the procedure and one-day of post-op. That's the absolute minimum.  My staff will also arrange for follow-up care at home.

That sounds short, but I've typically had a lot of contact before they arrive, reviewing records and imaging. Before they board the plane we've established a preliminary recommendation.

MTT: So with C3-R only one procedure is necessary?

BBW: In 99 percent of the cases, only one treatment is needed.

MTT: What is the typical out-of-pocket expense for C3-R?

BBW: We do offer patients financing options through different companies. This way they're in for a few hundred dollars per month versus the whole nut up front. It's something that many, many patients appreciate and access. Of course each case is different but typically it's about $3,100 per eye.

About Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler is a leading expert on Keratoconus treatment. He was the first in the United States to report the results of Intacs for keratoconus in 1999. For over 10 years, he has performed many thousands of keratoconus procedures on patients from all over the world. He published the largest study to date on Intacs treatment for keratoconus. Due to his pioneering work, Intacs is now recognized as a treatment for keratoconus. 
Dr. Wachler  recently received the Jules Stein Living Tribute Award along with Steve Holcomb who received the Athlete of Vision Award from The Vision Awards. Dr. Wachler served on the medical advisory board for a non-profit keratoconus organization. He recently was presented with a Gold Medal for his scientific contributions for the reduction of glare and halo risk in vision correction surgery. He received the honor to be vice-chairperson of the International Society of Refractive Surgery Annual Meeting in 2002. He lectures, teaches, and publishes extensively on surgical vision correction. Dr. Wachler works closely with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical trials for investigating new procedures, equipment, and protocols.

INDUSTRY NEWS

The European Medical Travel Conference 2010 Issue “The Venice Declaration on Medical Travel”

Editor’s Note: The European Medical Travel Conference 2010 took place last week in Venice. While the conference provided a platform for networking, discussion, and cooperation for the worldwide medical travel industry, it also introduced “The Venice Declaration on Medical Travel.” Prepared by recognized leaders in the global medical travel industry, the declaration focuses on several key areas of medical travel:

• The right of citizens to travel to receive access to better health care services;
• The need for global health systems to respond better to the needs of increasingly mobile citizens seeking the best quality, most timely, most cost-effective, and convenient medical treatment and healing capacity in Europe and throughout the world;
• The need to integrate better health and tourism services by investing more resources to improve quality, customer orientation, and healing competency of health services;
• The need for controllable patient safety.

The organizers of the conference were kind enough to provide us with the entire document for inclusion here:

Lockton Singapore Launches SCOPE, Insurance for Medical Travelers

Lockton Companies (Singapore) Pte Ltd has launched an insurance product to cover the cost of medical complications for medical travelers receiving surgery abroad. This is a result of collaboration with QBE International Ltd, the underwriter of this product.
SCOPE, Insurance for Medical Complications is now available online for medical travelers at www.locktonmedical.com

For the past few years, medical tourism has become a phenomenon and the availability of budget airlines has greatly contributed to this trend. Today, it is common to travel half way around the globe to take advantage of surgery available at a fraction of the price at home. However, such surgery will always come with an element of risk which could lead to additional cost, and this new product provides the additional assurance for the traveler. 
Tony Mitchell, president of Lockton Singapore, says, "Today around 75 percent of medical travelers organize their medical travel through the Internet. They take care to buy travel insurance in anticipation of flight delays and baggage loss, yet neglect to consider the biggest potential risk: insurance for their surgery."

SCOPE, Insurance for Medical Complications covers and reimburses expenses related to medical complications due to surgery. Indeed, it is not uncommon to spend a few more days at the hospital as an operation requires additional care, and often these cases lead to unexpected expenses that may completely negate the financial advantage of seeking treatment abroad.

SCOPE , Insurance for Medical Complications covers patients during and after their surgery and for the duration of the stay in the destination country. Patients also have the option to purchase additional cover so as to provide a more comprehensive insurance plan:

1. additional 60 days protection on return to their country of residence
2. reimbursement of certain legal expenses relating to medical malpractice claims that they bring against a medical institution or medical practitioner 

This policy is available for individuals from 21 to 69 years old, including those with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or high blood pressure. Residents from most countries around the world (excluding the U.S.) travelling to accredited hospitals are eligible.

SCOPE, Insurance for Medical Complications covers more than 100 surgical procedures including liposuction, breast augmentation, Lasik, dental implant, and knee or hip replacement just to name a few.

Mitchell concludes: "In some cases the probability of medical complications can greatly exceed 10 percent depending on the surgery type, and we want to give opportunity to most to purchase an affordable insurance so as to travel with peace of mind. For instance, an English resident needing a facelift in Thailand will only pay a premium of $389 for a complete package covering up to $100,000 of additional cost arising from medical complications." 

The product is only available outside of the U.S. 

About Lockton
More than  3,850  professionals at  Lockton provide more  than  15,000  corporate clients around the  world with insurance,  benefits,  surety   and  risk  management services,  offering  an  uncommon  level  of  client service.  From its founding in 1966 in  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  Lockton has  grown  to become the 10th largest insurance broker in the  world. You can learn more at www.lockton.com.

All's Well in Thailand – or is it?

Editor's Note: Last week the Bangkok Post and Bloomberg Businessweek both took a look at how political unrest and violence is impacting the flow of medical travelers to the country. Interestingly enough, they came away with distinctly different impressions of the current situation and its impact on the country's vitally important industry.

From Bloomberg Businessweek:

Medical Tourism Not Yet Hurt by Thai Turmoil
Even as Bangkok has been hit by political unrest, Thailand’s medical tourism industry has been surprisingly resilient. Overnight, one person died and 78 were injured when at least five grenades exploded in Bangkok’s financial and tourist district.

From the Bangkok Post:

Medical tourism operators want political healing
Medical tourism has begun to feel the pinch of prolonged political strife after the deadly clashes on April 10 as safety concerns among foreign patients have dented arrivals, say private hospitals.

SET-listed Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc (BGH), the country's largest private hospital operator, said foreign patient visits decreased by 20 percent this month compared with the same period of 2009, according to Pongsak Viddayakorn, the group's executive adviser.

Now U.S. Doctors Traveling Abroad to Treat American Medical Tourists
LOS ANGELES, April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- In what can potentially be a ground-breaking development, the California-based medical tourism company Global Medical Excellence LLC has developed an innovative arrangement to tackle the increasing cost of health care in the U.S. GME has entered into contracts with U.S. Board Certified surgeons who agree to travel to India or Lebanon (and soon other countries) to perform surgeries on GME's patients. Contrary to the existing phenomenon wherein U.S. patients traveling abroad are operated upon by foreign doctors, patients can now visit GME's website and choose to have either a U.S. doctor or a foreign doctor for various elective surgeries such as joint replacement spinal disc fusion, lap band, plastic surgery, and so on. Moreover, GME will be providing comprehensive insurance coverage to the patients to mitigate all risks.

According to Dr. Khoury, an expert in International Finance, this is a sensible option for the safety-conscious medical tourism patient, especially those with limited insurance coverage or high co-payments. The patients will be typically saving about 70 to 75 perecent of the U.S. cost by choosing this option. This new arrangement will surely ease the concerns that patients may have about surgeries in a foreign location. GME is in various stages of negotiation with doctors and will have around 400 doctors in seven major specialties by the end of June.

GME provides total care for the patients from the moment they leave the U.S. to the moment they return. Through its affiliated surgeon's network in the U.S., GME ensures excellent pre-operative and post-treatment care for its patients. Emphasizing GME's focus on "Highest Quality," Dr. Khoury further mentioned, "GME is all about options for the American patient irrespective of his/her insurance status. GME maintains an Ethics & Quality Board comprising of eminent surgeons in all the countries where it operates. Unlike any other service provider, GME's in-house doctors are available round-the-clock to answer the queries of our patients. We allow for surgeries only in Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals, which are equal to or exceeding U.S. standards."

About GME
GME is a one-stop solution to get access to the highest quality medical-surgical options within and outside of the U.S. exclusively in JCI-accredited hospitals. GME provides end-to-end care for the patients who are looking for quality treatment at the most affordable rates. GME caters to individual consumers (both self-pay and insured), self-insured businesses, insurers, benefit consultants, third party administrators and those using Consumer Directed Healthcare Plans (CDHP) or voluntary benefit plans. More information at www.gme-surgical.com, Toll Free: 1-866-463-2111; info@gme-surgical.com

Premiere Medical Travel Issues White Paper
Premiere Medical Travel recently issued a white paper on the subject of Medical Tourism: Four Challenges Facing the Emerging Industry. Written by company president Marc LeShay, the report draws a parallel between the medical travel industry and the early stages of e-business and examines the obstacles faced by the two nascent industries.

The report can be accessed at the Premiere Medical Travel website or on their LinkedIn page.

Shetty Hospital Agreement Revealed

Apart from duty concessions on medical supplies and equipment, the Cayman Islands government will also offer discounted immigration fees and will make the necessary legislative changes to accommodate the Cayman Narayana Health University, Minister of Health Mark Scotland revealed on Friday.

The government signed an agreement with Dr. Shetty on April 7, in which it promised to support the development of a large-scale medical tourism facility, medical school, and assisted-living senior's residence.

Click here to read the full story.
Click here to read the full agreement.

Medical tourism: Unique benefit can cut costs up to 80 percent

HRmorning.com — Picture this: You need surgery. But before going under the knife, you hop on the next flight out of the country.
It’s called medical tourism — and at IDMI Systems, employees who are willing to travel out of the U.S. for medical procedures can cut their expenses by up to 80 percent.
The Georgia-based software developing company has added an international medical travel option to its employee benefits package.

Click here to read the full story.

International Medical Tourism Journal announces the results of the Medical Tourism Climate Survey 2010

Keith Pollard, Managing Director of Intuition Communication, publishers of the International Medical Travel Journal revealed the results of the 2010 Medical Tourism Climate Survey at the European Medical Travel Conference 2010 in Venice, 5th May. 

The Medical Tourism Climate Survey 2010 was funded by the International Medical Travel Journal, the world’s leading journal for the medical travel sector and was completed online by 257 representatives of medical tourism businesses from 55 different countries. A cross section of medical tourism agencies and facilitators, hospitals and business consultants were surveyed with dental treatment, cosmetic surgery and orthopedic surgery among the most common services provided by respondents. 

The survey examines key issues, current activities, the state of the market and predicted business growth including the understanding and perceived impact of EU Cross Border Healthcare and other challenges and opportunities in the medical travel sector today.

The results reflect the fragmented nature of the medical tourism sector and its recent growth, with 20% of organizations surveyed only in business for one year; 63% of the organizations have been in business for more than two years.  Seventeen percent of the respondents handle more than 500 medical tourists annually.

Key highlights include:

Top destinations and patient sources

According to medical tourism facilitators the leading medical tourism destinations are India, Thailand, USA, Hungary and Malaysia. The USA, UK and Russian Federation are seen as the leading source of patients both now and in the future. Countries rated as providing the best overall service to patients are Thailand, India, and Singapore.

Respondents predicted that India, Thailand, and Singapore would also be the leading medical tourism destinations in five years time.

Current trends and predictions for growth

There are mixed views about the current market, with over half believing that the market has declined or remained static in the past twelve months.  Around half of the organizations have seen no growth or a decline in their business over the past year although 47% state that their current business situation is good or very good.  A third of respondents report a growth in their medical tourism business of 10% or more last year. The vast majority are confident about future business prospects with 76% expecting the overall market to grow in the next twelve months.

Opportunities

Respondents are most optimistic about the dental and cosmetic surgery markets.  The majority of organizations surveyed have little understanding of the European Union Directive on Patient Mobility but nevertheless believe that the ratification of the Directive will increase the number of medical tourists with Europe.

Challenges

Competition and marketing issues are seen as the major problems facing organisations involved in medical tourism.  Other key issues are:

• Insufficient demand
• Insurance and liability issues
• Lack of quality standards and international standards
• Lack of professionalism within the industry

Patient Choice

The main factors considered to influence patient choice are:

• Expertise and qualifications of the doctor/dentist
• Comments and ratings by other patients
• Fluency in the patient’s language (English, French and German are the most commonly supported languages within the destination countries).

Keith Pollard says: “The survey gives a realistic and current view of the industry. It is an invaluable insight in to what is happening throughout the world of medical travel today and is a useful tool for planning and strategy for the industry and individual businesses”.

The full survey is available from IMTJ for €150.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Asia Medical Tourism & Wellness Congress
May 13-14, 2010, at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia will be hosting an international event next year in Berjaya Times Square. Medical Tourism & Wellness Congress (GLOW 2010) will be an international trade exhibition running concurrently with a multi-stream conference session.

GLOW 2010 will gather senior-level decision makers across the health care, wellness, and corporate executive sectors from around the world to brainstorm on issues concerning their industry.

The objectives of the Congress are:

• To bring together our clients who are senior decision makers in major organizations across the region (100 - 150)
• To provide an exciting neutral platform for vendors/solution/service providers to position themselves effectively
• To conduct marketing/ advertising and promote brand awareness
• To conduct business development activities to a targeted focused audience
• To network and benchmark with professionals as well as other vendors and solution/service providers

GLOW 2010 will bring together our clients who are key corporate professionals in the medical, spa, and wellness sectors across the Asia Pacific and Middle East region to provide an exciting platform for vendors and solution providers to position themselves effectively. We estimate in excess of 100 to 150 senior-level decision makers for the exclusive conference in addition to walk-in trade visitors of over 1,500 for the exhibition.

A wide variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit http://www.glow2010.com/ to learn more.

Central and Eastern Europe Medical Tourism and Healthcare Summit
May 17-18, 2010, at the Aristos Hotel, Zagreb, Croatia

Medical Tourism in Central and Eastern Europe has been increasing rapidly. The region as a whole offers a variety of affordable treatments and procedures within easy reach of most travelers.

Global Engage, in partnership with Global Health Consulting of Croatia, is pleased to announce this international summit, which will bring together and showcase facilitators, providers, and medical organizations from across the region including Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, and surrounding countries to meet and network with senior level delegates from all over the world.

The Central and Eastern Europe Medical Tourism and Healthcare Summit will include an exhibition area, workshops, and a two-day conference agenda featuring an international speaker panel focusing and sharing their experiences on current issues affecting medical tourism and health care in the region and the world in general.

A further dedicated conference stream will focus on dental medical tourism providing an educational platform for dentists in the Central and Eastern European region to develop their business internationally and attract foreign patients to their practices.

There will be adequate time provided for networking and forming collaborations with potential partners over business lunches, drinks reception, and a gala dinner and the opportunity to visit local medical facilities.

Attend as a delegate or if you prefer to gain increased exposure for your company or organization please enquire about our exclusive exhibition, sponsorship, and marketing options.

To view further details of the conference agenda, speakers, sponsorship, and registration details please visit - http://www.globalengage.co.uk/central_eastern_european_medical_tourism_summit.html

Or to discuss your participation in more detail contact Steve Hambrook (Conference Director). Tel +44 (0) 1865 811 189 or email steve@globalengage.co.uk

Destination Health Rescheduled for June 26-27, 2010

Destination Health, a consumer event for the growing numbers of people
planning on and interested in travelling abroad for health and medical treatments, has confirmed new dates after having to cancel the original event because of the effect of the volcanic ash cloud. 

Visitors can come to the show for free if they pre-register on the Destination Health website www.destinationhealth.co.uk.

All the original exhibitors will be attending the event, which will give potential medical tourists the opportunity to meet doctors and personnel from around the world, compare and discuss treatment options and attend seminars on all aspects of medical tourism including fertility treatment, tips and advice on everything the medical traveler needs to know, medical travel insurance and many other subjects.

Destination Health has been launched to help the increasing numbers of British medical tourists find out all they need to know about travelling aboard for health and medical treatment. The two-day event will showcase top hospitals, clinics, and spas from around the globe giving visitors the opportunity to meet doctors and medical specialists, get free advice, and explore various treatment options abroad including cosmetic surgery, dental treatments, the growing trend for obesity surgery and fertility treatments -- among others. 

With a large amount of exhibitors at the event it will be easy for potential patients to easily find the type of medical specialists they are looking for. The event is divided into different areas to include sections for dentistry and cosmetic surgery, fertility and conception, medical spa and wellness and general treatments and procedures and the organizers, Bluewater Events, are expecting a large audience.

Nav Mann, event director says: “Interest from exhibitors and consumers in the event indicates that we expect a high turnout and hope that Destination Health will become a popular annual event for the medical tourism businesses and consumers alike.”

www.destinationhealth.co.uk

The Second Malta Medical Tourism Summit by Europe Business Assembly  

The second Malta Medical Tourism Summit, June 26, 2010, St. Julians (Malta) at the Corinthia San Gorg Hotel and Business Centre, is set to bring together many senior figures within the industry.

The events of the forum will be held under intellectual and organizing support of the Government of the Republic as well as leading medical institutions of Malta - St. James and St. Phillip Hospitals.

The official organizer of the summit Europe Business Assembly (United Kingdom) under the auspices of 'Malta Enterprise' Corporation (Malta).

The Europe Business Assembly (EBA) is an independent international project-development and management organization.  

Our international panel of expert speakers will be sharing their thoughts and experiences on topics such as:

-The dynamics of the current medical tourism marketplace
-Implementation of cross border healthcare collaborations
-Regulation and accreditation, currently and in the future
-More effective marketing, addressing the issues and capitalizing on the opportunities

To view the current agenda and speaker list, visit: www.ebaoxford.co.uk/Malta_Medical_programme_06_10.html.

Asian Countries Unite for Medical Tourism in IMWell Summit
With the Philippines spearheading the initiative for Asia to be a regional hub for health, wellness, and retirement, representatives of different Asian countries including India, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore are set to gather in the International Summit on Medical Travel, Wellness and Retirement (IMWell Summit) on October 12-15, 2010, at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel to discuss the most important issues in global health care.
A convergence of health care, hospitality, and travel industry leaders, the IMWell Summit is envisioned to be a forum for different countries to hold multilateral dialogues and discuss how they can cooperate for the region to further develop medical and wellness tourism.

“Without question, medical travel has significantly transformed the face of global health care,” says Undersecretary Cynthia Carrion, who heads the Department of Tourism’s Office for Sports and Wellness. “The pool of patients around the world seeking medical treatment abroad has grown, with increasing cost efficiency and adoption of advanced medical technology overseas. This presents a huge opportunity for us, and it is only fitting that the Philippines is hosting the IMWell Summit, as we have already proven our country to be an emerging powerhouse as a health and wellness destination.”
According to the Department of Tourism, the number of overseas patients and clients visiting the Philippines has rapidly increased from 60,000 foreign patients in 2007 to about 100,000 foreign patients in 2008 and gross revenues estimated to be at US$350mn since the program was launched in 2006. In light of this booming phenomenon, the Department of Tourism expects the Philippines to corner a total of US$3bn of the global medical tourism industry by 2015, with 200,000 foreign patients arriving annually.

“The IMWell Summit demonstrates that the Philippines is at the forefront of this ‘sunrise’ industry, which has been a key driver in our economic growth. As a pioneering initiative in the whole region, it also establishes our pro-active stance in cooperating with our neighboring countries and making them partners in medical tourism,” says Joyce Alumno, Conference director.

The four-day event features a full agenda that includes plenary sessions on Industry Perspectives, Opportunities and Risks; Regional Presentation of Best Practices; Global Opportunities in the Retirement Industry; Marketing and Branding for Global Markets; Quality Management and the Continuity of Care; and the Future of Medical Tourism and Healthcare Travel Industry.

The IMWell Summit also includes Executive Workshops about Balanced Score Card in Healthcare Organization and Effective Leadership Styles in Healthcare Organization. Four break-out conference tracks will be presented: Quality in Healthcare, Marketing, Investment and Capacity Building, and Retirement, giving an in-depth look at each specific aspect of medical and wellness tourism.

“We have ensured that the program of the IMWell Summit is comprehensive and at the same time attuned to the needs and gaps in information of this growing field. By gathering the region’s leading policy makers, decision makers, and solution providers, we aim to redefine, redesign, and refine health care delivery around the world,” stated Sanjiv Malik, M.D., a renowned international guru in medical tourism, who sits as the Conference Honorary chairman.

The Advisory Board and Speakers of the IMWell Summit include prominent leaders in their fields of expertise, including David Vequist, M.D., of the Center for Medical Tourism Research (USA), Dato Jacob Thomas of the Association of Private Hospitals in Malaysia, Nipit Piravej, M.D., of Bangkok Chain Hospital (Thailand), Ares Leung, M.D., of Union Hospital (Hong Kong), Sam Bernal, M.D., of Cedar Sinai and The Medical City (USA and Philippines), Samie Lim of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Girdhar J. Gyani, M.D., of the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (India), Jeff Staples, M.D., of Parkwayhealth (China), Tony Gibson of the Australian Human Resource Institute, Henry Schumacher of the European Chamber of Commerce, and others.

“Aside from our powerhouse line-up of speakers and advisors, what makes the IMWell Summit truly exceptional is the fact that it’s a pioneering event in regional cooperation. It is the first of its kind to present the global state of health care, explore current and future opportunities in medical tourism, and map out a strategy for the growth of the entire industry,” adds Alumno.

The IMWell Summit is produced and organized by HIM Communications, in collaboration with the Department of Tourism as Host, and supported by the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry, Retirement and Healthcare Coalition, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Spa Association of the Philippines, with HealthCORE and Asian Academy for Healthcare Executives as Knowledge Partners.

For more information about the event, please visit www.IMWellSummit.com, or call (63 2) 910.8030 or 468.9999, or email info@himcommunications.com