A little history on medical tourism in the Philippines

The Philippines is well known for its high quality health care services, but few outsiders are aware of the reasons behind the rapid increase in foreign health care tourism to this country. Medical tourists who make the trip, however, quickly discover that the treatments available in this rapidly developing country are equal to those of western nations like the US and Australia, and in many cases even surpass the level and quality of healthcare that one can expect to receive at home.

In 2004, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal created a joint partnership task-force between the Filipino private and public sectors to develop a program to specifically promote medical tourism within the country. Called the Philippines Medical Tourism Program, or PMTP, the program draws together government hospitals and medical centers as well as private practices, hospitals and businesses to create one of the most attractive medical communities anywhere in the world.

The Philippines Medical Tourism Program closely monitors all health care providers in the country to ensure they comply with the some of the most stringent medical standards on the planet, guaranteeing that visitors to the Philippines receive world-class treatment and care. Several Filipino hospitals have even received the coveted accreditation of the Joint Commission International, a private organization that ensures hospitals and healthcare facilities worldwide comply with strict international standards in patient care.

Under the Philippines Medical Tourism Program, medical facilities throughout the country have invested heavily in the latest medical technology for their practices to be able to offer their overseas patients the very latest treatment with the most up-to-date technology available. But of course, technology and treatment are just one aspect of the medical experience, and the legendary kindness and compassion of nursing staff is just another attraction that keeps patients returning to this country, which is described by many as “the heart of Asia.” 

The Philippines medical system is also free of many of the problems that have driven up the cost of medical treatment in western countries. Infrastructure costs, real estate, construction and labor costs are all significantly lower. Medical practitioners are not hampered by the same bureaucracy or red tape which affects their western counterparts, and government taxes and inflated medical insurance costs are also kept to a minimum.

It’s these factors that together contribute to allow the Philippines to provide the incredibly high quality of service they have become known for worldwide at a rate which is a fraction of what foreign patients are accustomed to paying.