Thailand Geared Up to be the Medical Hub of Asia

Thailand has prided itself as the medical hub of Asia since 2004, with a constantly rising number of international patients. In 2011, Thailand welcomed more than 2.2 million international patients and provided them with its world class standard yet affordable health-related services, excellent medical expertise, highly qualified medical professionals, as well as world famous hospitality. There are a number of reasons why Thailand has become a highly recognized destination for medical tourism and so many international patients have given their trust in Thailand’s medical services.

Thailand has a significant number of internationally accredited medical facilities. It was the first country in Asia to acquire JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation in 2002, and 22 hospitals are now accredited (Click here to see the list of JCI certified Thai hospitals). This demonstrated a tangible and visible commitment by the hospitals to continuously ensure a high standard and safe environment for its patients and staff.

Moreover, Thailand’s diverse attractions such as great tourism infrastructure, excellent food, friendly people and hospitality with service-oriented minds, have collectively contributed as key components for the success of Thailand as a medical destination in the region.

Thailand’s medical professionals are highly skilled at providing the highest quality of medical treatment. They have been meticulously trained to the highest levels. Many of them are American Board Certified and with its advanced state of the art technology that all of Thailand’s leading hospital provide, patients can rest assured that their treatments will be flawless.

Thai hospitals have set their healthcare and nursing standards at the highest level. With warm hospitality and human touch caring, patients will pleasantly feel right at home. Moreover, more than 30 hospitals employ specialized English speaking staff and many provide translators in a wide variety of foreign languages, including Arabic.

One of the greatest advantages about Thailand’s medical services is the cost savings; Thailand offers world class treatments with significantly lower cost compared to identical treatments done in Europe and other developed countries. Moreover, appointments for treatment in Thailand can be easily arranged, even for the more complex surgeries. Thailand has numerous operating theaters and adequate qualified surgeons.

To further develop the country’s potential to become a genuine “International Health Center for Excellence”, the Ministry of Public Health, the national focal point for implementation of the Medical Hub policy, is executing its Second Strategic Plan (2012-2016). The plan encompasses 4 major elements: 1) medical services; 2) integrative wellness center; 3) Thai herbs development; and, 4) Thai traditional and alternative medicine. Moreover, the Ministry of Public Health is currently discussing options for reimbursement and insurance for foreign patients seeking treatment abroad. In addition, long stay and Climato Therapy services have also been designed to specially serve patients from Scandinavia.

Thailand welcomes all foreigners seeking medical services at our world-class hospitals and our other health-related services such as spas, rehabilitation, traditional Thai medicine, long-term healthcare programmes and home stay service for the elderly. Furthermore, there are management systems to ensure that patients who need minor treatments will not have to wait for long periods.