Wellness hub in the pipeline in Thailand
Many projects are poised to further boost the country ’ s credentials in medical tourism
Thailand ’ s Medical Hub Board has greenlighted the creation of a Wellness Economic Corridor in the south of the country to fuel the post-pandemic recovery in its medical tourism sector and benefit the economy as a whole , the Bangkok Post reported .
The Board opted for the southern region of Songkhla because of its quality healthcare offerings and accessibility , said Deputy Minister of Public Health Sathit Pitutecha in a press conference .
In addition to the Andaman Wellness Corridor , which will comprise a medical centre , a dental centre , a spa , and other wellness services , the plan also calls for the construction of Udonthani Green Medical Town and a cancer centre .
The projects will be facilitated by the creation of a “ super licence ” that will allow companies to obtain the necessary permits with a single application instead of multiple ones , speeding up the process .
Sathit said the projects would provide employment for local people , highlighting that each medical tourist in Thailand spends about 80,000 to 120,000 baht ( US $ 2,235 to US $ 3,350 ).
Though estimates can vary significantly , more than one million medical tourists a year were believed to have sought healthcare services in Thailand before the COVID-19 pandemic .
Malaysia streamlines visa process for Bangladeshi health travellers
This makes the Southeast Asian nation easier to access for patients from Bangladesh
Patients from Bangladesh who seek care in Malaysia can now apply for a fast-tracked electronic visa that will speed up the approval process , allowing visitors to obtain it in three to five working days , the Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council , Mohd Daud Mohd Arif , announced at the Malaysia Healthcare Business Forum .
The new visa arrangement called e-Visa ( Medical ) will also make it easier and more cost-effective for Bangladeshi patients and two companions to extend their stay if the treatment regimen requires it .
“ As we move into endemicity , patient experience takes centerstage for us and remains the focus as we ramp up efforts to recover from the pandemic and rebuild the industry . Recognising the importance of digitalisation , we have embarked on building a digital framework that is focused on enhancing the digital touchpoints in the patient experience journey , beginning from our website at www . malaysiahealthcare . org and soon with the One Stop Portal ( OSP ) which functions as a trusted digital front door for healthcare travellers ,” said Mohd Daud in a press release .
Malaysia is a go-to destination for healthcare travellers , especially for those from Muslim countries like Bangladesh because its hospitals provide halal menus and medical products , as well as prayer facilities , that meet the needs of Muslim healthcare travellers .
Mohd Daud added that some upcoming partnerships between the two countries ’ medical universities , banking industry , and commerce sector will further cement Malaysian healthcare ’ s credentials in Bangladesh .
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com ISSUE 5 | 2022
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