Global Health Asia-Pacific July 2020 July 2020 | Page 43

Thai hospital adjusts to the pandemic The country’s most iconic medical tourism hospital tries to navigate uncertain times Medical tourism zone in China gets a boost Preferential policies should help providers attract international patients Ten hospitals have opened their doors to patients in the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone on the southern Chinese island of Hainan, with another five facilities slated to start operations in the second half of 2020. Located at the Hainan Free Trade Port, the special zone allows for quick access to international innovative drugs and medical devices not yet approved by China’s national regulators. Currently, it takes three to five years for foreign drugs and devices to reach the Chinese market, according to China Daily. Healthcare providers can also en�oy other preferential policies that make it easier to lure international patients to its shores. “As for the imported equipment, if we have to pay high taxes, the expenses will be transferred to our customers. The pilot zone lowers taxation, so our services can be cheaper than our counterparts internationally,� �iu Weifu, executive officer of Yiling Hospital Management Group, told CGTN. Though the special area aims to become a world-class destination for medical tourists by 2030, providers also hope to lure Chinese patients. �ince prices are still unaffordable for the general public, Yiling Hospital Management Group told CGTN it’s attempting to get its services covered under the government health and medical insurance programmes. Thailand’s flagship medical tourism facility, Bumrungrad Hospital, has seen a dramatic drop in its business due to the slump in tourism as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The Covid-19 crisis is a very tough test for all businesses,� the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Artirat Charukitpipat told Bloomberg. “More than 50 percent of our patients used to come from overseas. They’ve now disappeared. The most important question is how we will get over this crisis. At Bumrungrad, agility runs in our blood. We have great staff, and they are ready to ad�ust.� International patients contributed 66 percent of hospital revenues in 2019, according to its website. The top revenue contributors were Myanmar, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. With one of its key sources of revenue gone, the hospital has strengthened its telemedicine services while it also conducts at-home blood tests, vaccinations, and drug deliveries, Artirat said. The hospital has also been offering residence programmes for people under quarantine. To ease patient concerns about the safety of checking in at the hospital, Bumrungrad has recently introduced new disinfecting robots that kill viruses, bacteria, and mould in about five minutes by using ultraviolet light. They’re also used in operating theaters, intensive care units, and patient rooms. GlobalHealthAndTravel.com JULY 2020 41