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Coronavirus: Thailand hospital that gave birth to medical tourism boom hit hard by pandemic
- More than 50 per cent of Bumrungrad Hospital’s patients used to come from overseas, but are now staying away amid Covid-19 crisis
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Thailand’s Bumrungrad Hospital said the plunge in medical tourists travelling to the country amid the coronavirus pandemic has squeezed its business, as most of the health care operator’s revenue typically comes from international patients.
“The Covid-19 crisis is a very tough test for all businesses,” chief executive officer Artirat Charukitpipat said in a written interview on Monday.
“More than 50 per cent of our patients used to come from overseas,” he said. “They’ve now disappeared. The most important question is how we will get over this crisis. At Bumrungrad, agility runs in our blood. We have great staff, and they are ready to adjust.”
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The hospital helped pioneer Thailand’s medical-tourism industry about three decades ago. With its core patient base closed off, Bumrungrad has stepped up telemedicine as well as conducting at-home blood tests, vaccinations and drug deliveries, according to Artirat.
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The hospital operator, whose flagship is in Bangkok, also implemented new residence programmes for those requiring quarantine or physical distancing, she said.
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