May 28-30, at Queen Sirikij National Convention Center,Thailand Center of Excellence for life Science (TCELS) took place Life Science, Life Quality or TCELS Day to show Thailand health science development for people care healthy life and medical businesses.

Also, the seminar on the issue “Global Medical Hub, Thailand is ready or not?” by Surapong Ambhanwong, Chief Medical and International Business officer.

Since 2004 Thailand boasts itself medical hub of Asia as its international medical staffs, the best service and care. And now Thailand, under the medical tourism program is ready for Global medical hub.

In 2007, the foreign patient influx is 1.4 million people (10.8%) and the amount of the Middle East patient is 152,360 (9.6%)  More than 30 countries worldwide patient comes to Thailand for medical tourism the program promoted via the office of Tourism Authority of Thailand 22 branches around the world since 1999. 

“At first, Medical Tourism, the project, was originated to support foreign travelers become sick when they are during the trip in Thailand. But now, Thailand and the medical brand are so called. The best medical care and service as good as five stars hotel are available at reasonable price. Also they or its relatives can travel as well,” Surapong said.

At present, more than 16 hospitals, each takes care at least 10,000 (400,000Maximum) foreign patient yearly arriving Thailand as the well known medical tourism.  The nations come for medical treatment in Thailand are Japan, the US, Europe, the Middle East countries, Myanmar, Cambodia and etc, respectively.

Those hospital incomes can boost Thai economy as the chain suppliers. For the best quality, human resources and material supply; office supply, drug, medical supply, food and kitchen supply, transportation, linen and bed supply are necessary. Most of the supply is available in the country except 65 % of drug that has to be imported.

“The income of private hospital seems high for Thai people, but mostly money is distributed among Thai people due to chain supplies system. Hospital gets only 18 %,” said Surapong.

As the private hospital development has been supported and expanding.  Some people concerns that the high income could attract doctor and the problem lack of doctor in rural area would be worse.

But Surapong mentioned that as the criticism of the senate and the Medical Council of Thailand, doctors moved to Bangkok because of the uncomfortable things of rural and some face the problem; hard work and get a complain which might force them quite the job, while some come back to take care its family.

“It doesn’t because of private hospital. The government policy doesn’t hit the core of the problem,” Surapong said

At present, the high technology medical supplies imported but the low price of labor, Thai medical treatment is interesting as its cheaper prices, yet global standard. The medical tourism program can increase westerner and Middle East people influx, also decrease the number of brain drain (doctors and physicians).  

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a rare long  article from my day off at the Center, hope you enjoy (or not?)