Philippines scores high in worldwide healthcare survey

Would-be expats who’ve decided on retirement in the Philippines might be happy to know the country’s medical services are rated highly on a list published jointly by the International Healthcare Research Centre and the Medical Tourism Association.

The MTA’s listing placed private heathcare in the Philippines as eighth in a list showing Canada in first place, followed by the UK, Israel, Singapore, Costa Rica and Germany. Filipino officials gave more details, referring to the industry as a ‘rising epicentre of medical tourism’ catering to patients from across Asia, Australia, Europe and the Gulf States.

Factors in the survey which contributed to the rating included competitive prices, high standards in medical facilities, internationally accredited hospitals and specialists and, most importantly, a good standard of English across the board. Another point considered crucial to care, recovery and wellness was noted as the warm, compassionate and friendly nature of the Filipino peoples.

Ease of access by air from international travel hubs to Manila was another plus point, and the country’s tropical climate is considered as encouraging relaxation and healing after medical treatments. As regards costs, medical treatments including operations come out at between 50 and 80 per cent less expensive than the same services in North America and Europe.

The bulk of medical tourists arrive in Manila from East Asian countries including Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China, with Australians also favouring the cost and range of available medical services. The country is also popular with patients from the Gulf States, Australia, the UK, the USA, South America and several European states, and Filipino expats are happy to return home for their medical procedures.

It’s no surprise the Philippines is becoming a medical services hub, as other Southeast Asian countries’ such as Thailand and Cambodia are now hiking their prices for private healthcare procedures to an unjustifiable level incompatible with their lack of fluent English and lower standards of university education.