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Medical
Medical
Tourism -
Getting Well
in Singapore
Singapore’s world class medical facilities attract many here for
treatments that range from health screenings to even
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
Singapore has built up a well-earned trust and reputation
in health care. It is an established regional medical hub
and according to statistics from Singapore’s Ministry
of Health and the Singapore Tourism Board in 2011
it has attracted almost 40,000 medical tourists with
Indonesians accounting for almost half of them.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) ranked Singapore’s
health care system sixth best in the world with over 40 health care
centres comprising both private and public hospitals, specialist
centres and convalescent centres.
The majority of hospitals in Singapore have accreditation from
Joint Commission International (JCI), an international body
monitoring global healthcare standards for hospitals across the
world. In April 2013, National University Hospital (NUH) became
the first hospital in Singapore to achieve JCI re-accreditation under
the new Academic Medical Centre (AMC) standards.
According to Dr VP Nair, a Consultant Interventional
Cardiologist at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre (Hospital), most
Indonesians seek treatment for ailments related to heart, lungs and
abdominal problems. “There are 10,756 hospital beds available in
Singapore with 3,867 specialists and 6,358 general practitioners as
of 2012. The doctor to patient ratio in 2012 is 1 : 520, one of the best
in Asia,” he said.
Concierge services
To aid patients who will have a longer recovery period, most
health care centres provide concierge services and help in making
arrangements for their stay in the country. Serviced apartments
and hotel accommodations along with translation services are also
arranged by most hospitals.
The spectrum of specialist medical services include utilisation of
the latest medical equipment for example, the option of advance
treatments for cataracts (see page 40) and comprehensive all-inone
facilities like the newly opened T32 Dental Care at Camden
Medical Centre. According to Dr Wong Keng Mun, Managing
Director of T32, “Just like how the National Cancer Centre
Photos courtesy of T32 Dental Care
of Singapore needs imaging and investigation, chemotherapy
and radiation therapy suites and operating theatres to provide
encompassing care, a proper dental implant centre needs surgical
and restorative suites, 3D CT Scanner, digital workspace and
treatment planning software and an in-house dental laboratory for
immediate treatment plans and operational efficiency.”
Apart from equipment, medical experience and expertise are
just as important. Jimmi, was a patient at NUH and was happy
to find out that he did not need surgery as originally diagnosed in
Indonesia. The 25-year old from Medan said, “If I had undergone
surgery I would have to be hospitalised for two days.” Luckily, his
sister had sent the photograph of his feet to Singapore and he was
asked to see a dermatologist instead of an orthopedic or general
surgery doctor.”
He recalled, “I was then advised by Dr Derrick Aw, a NUH
dermatologist, to come for laser treatment; consultation and
treatment took one day and I could walk immediately after that!
For Jimmi and many others who are looking for qualitative
medical care – Singapore is indeed a good place to get well.
36 IndoConnect VOL. 1 No. 4 2013