Treatment overseas in the advanced medical system in Singapore could become even easier for GCC residents over the next year, according to healthcare professionals gathering in Dubai for the Arab Health exhibition.
Government agencies and companies from the Southeast Asian state are working together to provide a comprehensive offering for GCC residents, in particular looking to offer an alternative for those seeking advanced treatment for complex procedures overseas.
In January 2007, Dubai’s Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) and Singapore’s Ministry of Health signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote closer cooperation in healthcare, to increase the level of collaboration and exchange.
The MOU provided a comprehensive framework for greater collaboration between healthcare establishments in Singapore and Dubai, enabling both to share experience and boost the level of training collaboration.
“Singapore continues to look at ways to ensure that overseas patients who are looking for treatment within our advanced system have the opportunity to access it, and we’re pleased that levels of cooperation seem set to continue to increase,” said Ke-Wei Peh, Area Director for the Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.
“Our vision is to provide a complementary offering to healthcare systems across the Middle East, with a focus on advanced and innovative areas of medicine within Singapore,” he added.
For groups like Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd (SingHealth) – Singapore’s largest group of healthcare institutions – increasing access for visitors is a natural extension of the group’s activities, which includes 42 clinical specialties and a faculty of 1,200 internationally qualified medical specialists.
Given the three hospitals and five national specialty centres which are managed by SingHealth, a significant number of overseas visitors seeking high quality medical treatment visit their facilities.
“We continue to look at ways to provide Middle East patients with not only a pleasant, but also a memorable experience in SingHealth,” said Jaryll Chan, Programme Director, Market Development, SingHealth.
“SingHealth offers a comprehensive range of medical and non-medical services to the Middle East patients; services that are delivered with an awareness of cultural and religious sensitivities. This sets us apart from many other healthcare destinations. Our team of experienced Guest Relation Assistants will take care of every aspect of their visit, not just for the patients but for their families too,” he added.
In 2005, 374,000 patients travelled to Singapore as medical tourists to take advantage of the state-of-the-art medical facilities.
Such is the demand for Singaporean health services that the country is seeing the launch of companies offering dedicated travel companies specializing in medical travel. One such group, Global Wellness and Travel, a specialist medical travel company providing a unique blend of travel and healthcare expertise, will be exhibiting at Arab Health 2007 for the first time.
In December 2006, Singapore also hosted the world’s first ever International Medical Travel Conference which attracted delegates from 21 countries to examine the future of the healthcare tourism in the region.
The Middle East ranks among one of the fastest growing sectors for medical travel to Singapore. In 2006, an average of 200 patients travelled to Singapore from the region for treatment every month.
About SingaporeMedicine
SingaporeMedicine is a multi-agency government-industry partnership to develop and promote Singapore as a medical hub. In 2005, 374,000 international patients came to Singapore specifically for healthcare, and many more sought her quality healthcare on trips for other purposes. In 2000, the World Health Organization ranked Singapore as having the best healthcare system in Asia, with excellent healthcare outcomes for her people while maintaining affordability.
With one third of all Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited facilities in Asia, Singapore offers internationally trained and respected healthcare professionals, advanced technology and the latest and safest drugs, backed by a sound research foundation, for better diagnostics and outcomes. International patient liaison services, a cosmopolitan culture, convenient access and transport, and a clean and safe environment provide peace of mind to healthcare visitors and their families in their time of need. For more information, visit www.singaporemedicine.com.
About SingHealth
Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd (SingHealth) is Singapore's largest group of healthcare institutions, with 3 hospitals - Singapore General Hospital (SGH), KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) and Changi General Hospital (CGH); 5 National Specialty Centres - for Cancer, Heart, Neuroscience, Eye and Dental care, and a network of primary healthcare clinics.
With 42 clinical specialties and a faculty of 1,200 internationally qualified medical specialists, SingHealth offers integrated care and pioneering treatment in a multidisciplinary setting. Each year, it performs 175,000 surgeries and handles over 3 million patient visits. As a leading international medical centre, SingHealth hospitals and Specialty Centres are recognised as tertiary referral centres. Well-equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment medical technology, all of SingHealth’s hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), in recognition of having met the highest international standards in quality and safety of patient care.
