March 28, 2024

The Board of Investments is moving to further improve the competitiveness of the country’s local healthcare services industry.

The BoI recently held a seminar that aimed to make the industry prepared not only for the growing needs of the Filipinos but also for the growing opportunities in the medical tourism industry.

“This seminar aims to support and help enable the existing healthcare facilities and services, especially those licensed by the Department of Health and/or accredited by the Department of Tourism, to become better prepared not only for the growing needs of the local populace but also for the growing opportunities in the medical tourism and wellness travel industry. We hope to make them fully aware of the additional opportunities that a pursuit of international certification can provide,” BOI Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa said during the start of the event.

“The Philippines, with the most hospitable, caring, nurturing, and wonderful people, coupled with the wonderful sights and relaxing places, has a lot to offer to the world. I think we just need to let the world know and while at that, ready our healthcare facilities for an experience that every medical tourist would be proud to share,” Dichosa said.

On hand to share their knowledge and experiences were officials/representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry-Philippine Accreditation Bureau; PAB-accredited Medical Equipment Healthcare Group, Inc. Phils.; Department of Health-Philippine Medical Tourism Program; Philippine Tripartite Accreditation for Health Facilities, Inc. (PTAHF); and Health Core International.

Among those highlighted during the seminar is the fact that the safety and effectiveness of medical devices and equipment play a critical role in healthcare.

The correct use and adequate performance maintenance of such can help reduce adverse events that will improve overall effectiveness of treatment and increase the number of patients who will benefit from the medical products.

“It (international quality accreditation) is not meant to be a marketing badge. Rather, it is an assurance, a validation that a healthcare facility is practicing a culture of quality and excellence, continuously striving to comply with the global standards of patient safety and care. With very meticulous patients placing their lives into our hands, trust in our healthcare system needs to be established through quality certifications as audited by highly reputable and globally-accepted accreditation agency. As a result, we are able to attract international patients, encourage investments, and provide excellent healthcare service to our Filipino people,” said Joyce Socao-Alumno, president and CEO of HealthCore.

The seminar is part of many initiatives of the BOI to further develop globally competitive industries through its Industry Development Program.

The Roadmap on Medical Travel and Wellness Tourism was completed in 2015 with the active participation of stakeholders.

Among the recommendations in the Roadmap are the implementation of a uniform system of data collection, analysis and dissemination and the development of a brand strategy for the country.

The awareness seminar seeks to ensure that the sector, prior to the brand strategy launch, will have the right healthcare facilities that are internationally recognized and accredited that can multiply the people-value the country is known for. – DTI release