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Medical tourism is increasingly attracting patients seeking high-quality, low-cost hospital services

MEDICAL TOURISM sounds like a contradiction in terms. Surely 'vacation' and 'surgery' do not belong in the same sentence. And yet in Thailand,  medical tourism is an industry that is going from strength to strength, boosted by world-class facilities, highly qualified staff and a very  reasonable pricing system.

Patients from all over the world travel to Thailand for medical treatment, whether it be a major operation, some essential dentistry or a routine physical check-up. They can also enjoy recuperating in the Land of Smiles.

Last year more than 1.3 million foreigners visited Thailand on medical tourism, and the numbers are set to grow as private hospitals open offices around the world to boost their international clientele.

'We offer what might be termed a one-stop shop,' said Winky Ho,  the Hong Kong-based marketing manager for the Bumrungrad International  hospital in Bangkok.

'Here in Hong Kong we can respond to inquiries, estimate costs and arrange  appointments and accommodation,' Ms Ho said. 'The hospital was the first to be accredited by the Joint Commission International   in the United States.

'There are more than 900 physicians and dentists, most of them with practical overseas experience, and the Bumrungrad International's equipment is state of the art throughout.

'Besides being exceptionally good value, we also provide value-added services like free interpretation, visa extensions, on-site accommodation for visitors and airport transfers.'

A basic check-up at the Bumrungrad International costs 2,500 baht (HK$500) and includes a chest X-ray, laboratory tests and a doctor's consultation.

A more extensive 'executive' check  includes an abdomen ultrasound and treadmill stress test and costs  8,800 baht.  Patients receive results the day they are examined, and are advised of any treatment required.

The  hospital also undertakes cosmetic and laser surgery. A facelift  that includes an overnight stay costs 122,000 baht, and surgery on both eyes costs 60,000 baht.

South of Bangkok, on the island of Phuket, is the Bangkok Phuket Hospital,  part of a network of 15 private hospitals and one of the largest health-care providers in Southeast Asia. The hospital is set in the heart of Phuket town and has been in business since May 1995. It is popular for its high standards and a location that promotes a speedy recovery, as many patients have found.

As in many of the kingdom's 400 private hospitals, the Bangkok Phuket's dental surgery offers a wide range of treatments, from cosmetic to straightforward fillings and crowns. A simple amalgam filling is as inexpensive as 400 baht, while white composite costs 800 baht.  A root canal, which could involve up to three visits, costs 5,000 baht,  and  crowns are priced from 9,000 baht. Cosmetic processes such as  tooth whitening take only a couple of hours and cost from 6,000 baht.

The Bangkok Phuket also runs specialised clinics for patients suffering from diabetes, cancer and cardiac and skin problems.

The medical tourism experience reaches beyond the country's hospitals. A number of hotels and resorts offer treatments designed to soothe  and rejuvenate.

In the capital, the Metropolitan Hotel,  part of the Como  group run by lifestyle guru Christina Ong,  lays on a select array of treatments at its Como Shambala  spa.

The Asian-inspired, holistic therapies were developed at the Metropolitan's sister resort in Bali, and these include reflexology and massage delivered by  specialised practitioners. In addition, the spa can arrange for private instruction in yoga, or personal trainers.

Perhaps Thailand's best known holistic resort is Chiva-Som,  which stands on the coast at Hua Hin.  The Chiva-Som experience embraces  body, mind and spirit and aims  for lifelong health. The individualised programmes combine  treatments, food and education.

On arrival, the  guest is assigned a health and wellness adviser. The qualified natural health practitioner  spends time planning an  optimum personal programme of  classes and treatments and advises on the best choice of  spa food. Star guests  include David and Victoria Beckham.

Rather more low-key and considerably less pricey is the Atsumi Healing Centre  in Phuket. It is famed for its fasting and detoxification programmes. Guests are advised to spend at least a week or, better still,  10 days, flushing out their systems, subsisting on herbs, cleansers and copious amounts of water.

Fasting days start with yoga or meditation, and include a colon hydrotherapy session.  Regular doses of herbs punctuate the day. A seven-day fast costs  21,500 baht,  which includes accommodation. There are also shorter detox programmes and training courses in massage, yoga and meditation.



Getting the five-star treatment