The MTA Announces an Exclusive Ministerial Summit Part of the 4^th Annual World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress October 25-28 in Chicago

In its 4^th year, the World Medical Tourism Congress promises to be the best one yet, featuring up to 1500 attendees, 100+ speakers and sponsors from over 87 countries.  This year’s theme “Patients in Emerging Markets” will focus on some of the upcoming largest growth areas of Medical Tourism in Russia, Ukraine, CIS Countries, China, Japan, the Middle East, Africa and GCC regions.

In accordance with this year’s theme and in an effort to develop the industry and create common grounds with government officials worldwide; the MTA announced an exclusive Ministerial Summit that will be held on October 25^th.  This exclusive meeting will include Ministers of Health, Tourism and Economic Development from all over the world that will come together to share ideas and projects which will drive the industry forward.

“Medical Tourism in Africa has been up to now viewed as an out-migration of Africans looking for healthcare abroad: in India, Europe and North America. This is because of the lack of facilities for specialized healthcare locally. Only South Africa and Egypt boasts of such facilities. Time has however come to reverse this process,” stated Prof. P. Anyang’ Nyong’o, Minister for Medical Services, Kenya. “With the heavy investments that our governments have made in education, we should make use of our health professionals to work at home and provide services to our people as well as those who will come from abroad. This requires heavy investment in diagnostic facilities, health infrastructure, research and technological development at the cutting edge of medical science. No doubt this will require a Public Private Partnership for which our governments and local entrepreneurs are now read,” he added.

Government officials have repeatedly attended the congresses annually in order to solidify their commitment and trust in the industry, and this year the conference unites all the ministers in a formal setting to share ideas, combine strategies and even join forces in order to place these ideas to work. The ministers are also invited to speak at the congress. “By attending the Ministerial Roundtables and being a speaker at the 4^th Annual World Medical Tourism Congress, the government of Kenya believes in medical tourism as a continuously growing industry that generates profit to the country and encourages other ministers to participate this year in Chicago and promote the industry around the world,” said Prof. P. Anyang’ Nyong’o, Minister for Medical Services, Kenya.

This is the one event per year where Employers, Self Funded Health Plans, Insurance Companies, and Medical Tourism Facilitators that are looking to outsource healthcare overseas have the opportunity to meet with top International Hospitals and Medical Tourism Companies in one place for the ultimate networking event.

“The World Medical Tourism and Healthcare Congress is the most important gathering of Healthcare professionals to learn about more information about the issues we all face in today’s market. When it comes to the issues about healthcare Reform, nearly every piece of information is discussed to aid implementation once and when it becomes law. The Congress also allows for networking with the current and new vendors and facilitators to make sound decisions as to where to send our clients for alternative practical costs for exceptional medical and dental treatment,” stated Ramon Sandoval Trusted Insurance Services.

The conference is the dedicated annual event of the Medical Tourism Association, the nonprofit trade association in the Medical Tourism industry,   http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com and media partner Medical Tourism Magazine, http://www.medicaltourismmag.com, the only dedicated magazine for the medical tourism and global healthcare industry, and by Medical Tourism City, www.medicaltourismcity.com, a social network for the medical tourism and global healthcare industry with over one thousand participants from over sixty countries.

The 4^th World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress will also feature four additional conferences, the Global Benefits Conference, http://www.globalbenefitsconference.com, focusing on international employers and insurance companies, the Healthcare Development Conference, www.healthcaredevelopmentconference.com , focusing on the growth of medical tourism in the healthcare sector and the building and development of healthcare facilities around the world, the Healthcare Investment Conference, http://www.healthcareinvestmentconference.com, creating awareness about healthcare investment opportunities around the world and the Health and Wellness Conference, http://www.wellnessconference.com focusing on the continuous growing health and wellness industry.

Contact

Silvana Maldonado

Silvana@medicaltourismcongress.com

www.MedicalTourismCongress.com

US 561-792-6676

As part of the commitment to education, the Medical Tourism Association will be conducting 10 webinars starting on May 24, 2011 and ending September 21, 2011. These webinars will include executives from various industries sharing their knowledge about this rapidly growing market.  These webinars offer a chance to get insights on how so many businesses have incorporated medical tourism successfully and in so many different ways. It is also a forum for those new to the industry to learn the ins and outs from some of the most highly experienced professionals. For more details on the webinars please click here: http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com/en/medicaltourismwebinars.html.

Below is a list of the webinars that will be offered:

Medical Tourism Updates- May 24, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/521513498

Healthcare Reform Updates- June 1, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/914610515

Medical Tourism 101- June 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/443831162

MTA Membership Benefits and Success Case Study- June 29, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/968477691

Turismo Medico 101 – En Español – 15 de Julio del 2011, a las 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/194854651

Tourism Board’s Role in Medical Tourism & Health and Wellness Promotion- July 13, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/142325083

Employer Case Study of Medical Tourism- July 27, 2011, at 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/462673442

4^th World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress - August 10, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/424157418

The Role of Travel Agents & the Hotel Industry in Medical Tourism and Health and Wellness Tourism- August 24, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/962977371

Investing in Medical Tourism-An Investors Webinar - September 21, 2011, at 2:00 pm

Registration Web Link: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/777201859

Contact:

Olivia Goodwin

Social Media Coordinator

Medical Tourism Association, Inc.

US 001.561.791.2000

Olivia@MedicalTourismAssociation.com

The recent growth of the Medical Tourism industry has grabbed the attention of one of the most influential men in America.

Reports released by the Wall Street Journal revealed that during his recent medical leave in 2009 the CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs, sought treatment for a rare but treatable form of pancreatic cancer known as an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. During his leave the Wall Street Journal also uncovered that Jobs had undergone an unpublicized liver transplant at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

In January 2011 Fortune released new details shared off-the-record by the former Apple director Jerry York, following his death in March of 2010. According to the article, Jobs and his doctors had sought treatment abroad in Switzerland, as it is the home of the world-renowned University Hospital of Basel, which has developed a special form of hormone-delivered radiotherapy to treat neuroendocrine cancer.

On January 17, 2011 Jobs unfortunately announced that he is taking a medical leave of absence for the third time in 7 years according to a release issued by Apple. Jobs email reads:

Team,

At my request, the board of directors has granted me a medical leave of absence so I can focus on my health. I will continue as CEO and be involved in major strategic decisions for the company.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for all of Apple’s day to day operations. I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011.

I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, my family and I would deeply appreciate respect for our privacy.

Steve

We hope one of America’s favorite businessmen will make a speedy recovery (in whichever country he may be seeking treatment) and return to his position at the company he loves so much.

Interesting statistics provided from a recent consumer survey regarding healthcare professionals.

Each survey consists of a minimum of 1,000 completes with adults 18 years of age or older in the contiguous U.S.A.  The sample consists of individuals selected from the online segment of Synovate’s Consumer Opinion Panel, and is balanced to be representative of the general population based upon region, gender, age, and household income data from the U.S. Census Bureau.  The selected individuals receive a customized e-mail inviting them to participate.

Questions asked of relevance to our medical tourism industry was :  If you were to use the Internet to look for a new healthcare professional or health-related practice – doctor, dentist or any other health professional – what would help you make a decision?

The results were as follows:

The conclusion to be drawn from this is that communication and education of the patient is most essential to the decision making process of the patient.  Having a good patient experience provides an organic flow of personal recommendations and referrals from thos patients.  This recommendation will encompass the communication with the patient before, during and after the trip.  And, patients need to understand everything they can about the procedure piror to making a decision to travel for it.  So in the end, the mopre information you provide on the back end, the easier it will be to take the decision.

As we all know Medical Tourism is growing exponentially in many countries around the world like India, Thailand, and Mexico. With this growth, Medical Tourism has given way to a new type of professional agency known as  ”Medical Tourism Facilitators”.  Over the last three or four years, thousands of these companies have popped up, most sporting names synonymous with health and travel. They function much like a travel agency, requesting and obtaining passports, booking flights, and arranging a medical tourism patient’s lodging, transportation and tours. The key difference, of course, is that they also serve as the liaison or mediator between the patient and the international hospital and doctor. In effect, it is the facilitator’s job to repackage the medical provider’s service offering, make it more appealing, and then guide you along the medical tourism process.

Sounds great right? Under the right instances the advantage of a one-stop Medical Tourism shopping experience can greatly reduce the headache involved in the planning process.

But medical tourism facilitators come in all shapes and sizes, and, looking at their websites, it is difficult to accurately determine the real scope and quality of the services offered. As with most emerging industries, there will be a multitude of companies – some little more than one man operations, promising the world, without a regulatory entity making sure they deliver the goods. The internet only amplifies this problem as one website looks as good as another.

As exemplified by the recent article “The Unholy Nexus”, Kuldeep Chaudhary shares his view on these Non-Accredited Medical Tourism Facilitators and the demand for industry regulation.

…Their [Illegitimate Facilitators] only qualification is their nationality and their ability to speak the language of their

country. Most of them in India are on student or tourist visa and make more money than the CEO of any mid size company in the country. They are the `pimps’ of the Indian Healthcare. They have free access to the chambers of the most distinguished doctors at top hospitals while accompanying hapless patients from their own country. In the name of Medical tourism, they, in collusion with the hospitals make fool of the patients who do not understand anything that goes around in the alien land.” – Kuldeep Chaudhary

“It is high time that the healthcare industry does self regulation in this regard and weed out these middlemen from the business of Medical Tourism before the image of Indian Healthcare is damaged internationally beyond retrieval. The hospitals on their part should have direct marketing people for bringing in the patients from these countries, should concentrate on their branding, organize activities like CME in the target countries and if they have to make partners, then they should look at the qualifications of the facilitators and their legality to do business in India. All the hospitals should come out with their International Tariffs which should be published on their websites and other literature. There should be no case by case quotations which allows malpractice on the part of the facilitators as well as the doctors…”

- Kuldeep Chaudhary

 

With these unfortunate developments in Medical Tourism such organizations like the Medical Tourism Association offer certification programs for legitimate Medical Tourism Facilitators who are there to really aid in the process. For medical tourism patients these certifications offer assurance that high standards of safety and quality of care are in place. Certification shows that the Medical Tourism Facilitator cares about delivering quality services to its customers. It’s kind of like a guarantee that the organization’s services have been awarded because they have delivered positive results.

A previous article featured in the Health Tourism Magazine – “Medical Tourism Facilitator Certification ~ How to Gain Credibility in the Medical Tourism Industry” the author Alex Piper describes the thorough process of certification by the Medical Tourism Association.

The Medical Tourism Facilitator Certification Process is very exhausting in its diligence of inspection.  Companies that seek the certification have to demonstrate acumen in a multitude of areas.  The foundation upon which the company is built; its ownership, financing and management structure have to be displayed.  The method and diligence by which it goes about fulfilling its duties also have to be displayed for inspection.  How the company markets itself and the content of its marketing materials are also carefully scrutinized .  In short, every aspect of the company is assessed.  It is a grueling 120 day process.  In the particular case of Debson, where our distinctive competence is the use of Telehealth in various patient care areas such as the area of aftercare, the certification vigorously examines the company protocol in that regard.  Aftercare and Follow Up protocols have to be established and it has to be demonstrated that the company can dispense these duties with quality  and consistency…” – Alex Piper

 

Alex then goes on about how vital the certification was for his already established company, think about how beneficial it could be to a small “mom and pop’s” facilitation organization.  In conclusion, the decision of finding the right Medical Tourism Facilitator can be a confusing and maybe frightening process, but with a little help from certified facilitator a patient of Medical Tourism can go through the process with some peace of mind.

For more information on Medical Tourism Certification’s please visit >> MedicalTourismAssociation.com

Articles Featured in this post:

The Unholy Nexus by Kuldeep Chaudhary

Medical Tourism Facilitator Certification ~ How to Gain Credibility in the Medical Tourism Industry by Alex Piper

Lloyds TSB International is part of the wider Lloyds Banking Group, which has a presence in more than 35 countries, 30 million customers and over 100,000 employees and is one of the oldest and largest banking institutions in the world.

Designed originally for their own expatriate workforce, Lloyds TSB International offers a number of expatriate-specific products that are designed for internationally mobile people who want to manage their finances while living their global lives. These products include; Premier International Account – a globally-accessible, multi-currency checking account; long and short-term offshore savings accounts and an international mortgage service.

“Insurance and banking have always complemented each other as products and services and Lloyds TSB International North America are keen to further develop relationships in the insurance industry. As one of world’s leading provider of expatriate-specific personal banking services, the Global Benefits Conference provides a unique opportunity to present our propositions to its audience”, said Oliver Dunning, Business Development Manager of  Lloyds TSB International.

This is the one event per year where Employers, Self Funded Health Plans, Insurance Companies, and Medical Tourism Facilitators that are looking to outsource healthcare overseas have the opportunity to meet with top International Hospitals and Medical Tourism Companies in one place for the ultimate networking event. As a Bronze Sponsor, the Lloyds TSB International will receive multiple benefits including recognition throughout the conference and preferred exhibit booth placement.

This year we have allocated a budget to bring in up to 400 buyers of healthcare that includes global multinational employers, insurance companies and health insurance agents. The conference will feature up to 1,500 attendees, 150+ exhibitors and sponsors, and 100+ speakers from over 87 countries. Save the date today by going to the Medical Tourism Congress website and register for this once a year event.

Accomplish in three days what would otherwise take you years to do.  Attend the only medical tourism and international health insurance conference in the world that truly brings together the buyers and sellers of healthcare from all continents.

The conference is the dedicated annual event of the Medical Tourism Association, the nonprofit trade association in the Medical Tourism industry,   http://www.medicaltourismassociation.com and media partner Medical Tourism Magazine, http://www.medicaltourismmag.com the only dedicated magazine for the medical tourism and global healthcare industry, and by Medical Tourism City, http://www.medicaltourismcity.com, a social network for the medical tourism and global healthcare industry with over one thousand participants from over sixty countries.

The 4th World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress will also feature four additional conferences, the Global Benefits Conference, http://www.globalbenefitsconference.com, focusing on international employers and insurance companies, the Healthcare Development Conference, http://www.healthcaredevelopmentconference.com, focusing on the growth of medical tourism in the healthcare sector and the building and development of healthcare facilities around the world, the Healthcare Investment Conference, http://www.healthcareinvestmentconference.com, creating awareness about healthcare investment opportunities around the world and the Health and Wellness Conference, http://www.wellnessconference.com focusing on the continuous growing health and wellness industry.

Contact:

Silvana Maldonado

Silvana@medicaltourismcongress.com

www.MedicalTourismCongress.com

US 561-792-6676

Havana.- India hosted the presentation of a new Cuban drug made of the poison of a species of scorpion endemic to the Caribbean island.

The drug, called Vidatox, has proved to be very effective as antitumor, analgesic and anti-inflammatory.

Those properties were confirmed during a 15-year-long research on the toxin of the scorpion.

According to experts, the drug has been administered to cancer patients and has improved their quality of life.

In addition, it contributes significantly to the effectiveness of traditional oncologic therapies on cancer patients who were treated with Vidatox.

The Cuban archipelago, which offers natural, historic and cultural attractions, combines tourism with programs aimed at improving the quality of life of vacationers.

Dozens of kilometers of white-sanded beaches of warm crystal-clear waters in pristine areas are major attractions for tourists

In addition; Cuba’s tourist sector has an excellent infrastructure, so that vacationers can combine their vacations with activities aimed at improving their health.

Thousands of health professionals and state-of-the-art technology at dozen of specialized medical centers, in addition to national and traditional medicine, are available for tourists.

Alternative or complementary medicine, which is based on experiences and practices that are transmitted from generation to generation, is a great option to treat a wide range of diseases effectively without using chemical drugs, which sometimes cause severe side effects.

This kind of medicine is an alternative to effectively treat several diseases without administering chemical and synthetic drugs, many of which cause side effects on patients.

Cuba has a network of pharmaceutical laboratories where natural raw materials are processed to make syrups, ointments, talc, tinctures and extracts, among other excellent products to treat a wide range of diseases.

In addition, there are spas where patients are treated with mud and medicinal waters, which are highly effective.

First-class programs and techniques are available for tourists at the International Retinitis Pigmentosa Center, where several eye diseases are treated, or the Placental Hystotherapy Center, where dermatological diseases such as vitiligo are cured.

In addition to international clinics, pharmacies, optician’s shops and specialized centers in major tourist resorts, which play a major role in improving the people’s quality of life, Cuba also offers a broad medical infrastructure to foreign visitors.

More than 280 hospitals, 400 polyclinics, 116 dental clinics and 1,500 medical posts make up the national health network to meet the most complex requirements of human health

Dental Tourism is a developing concept whereby people from world over visit India for their medical and relaxation needs. Most common treatments are heart surgery, knee transplant, cosmetic surgery and dental care. The reason India is a favourable destination is because of it’s infrastructure and technology in which is in par with those in USA, UK and Europe. India has some of the best hospitals, clinics and treatment centers in the world with the best facilities. Since it is also one of the most favourable tourist destinations in the world, Medication combines with tourism has come into effect, from which the concept of Medical Tourism is derived.