Medical worker shortage constrain hub plans
Private hospitals poaching state doctors
Thailand faces a slew of formidable challenges in its aim to become a medical and wellness tourism hub in Southeast Asia, as the shortage of doctors and nurses poses a significant obstacle to development.
Thailand’s private hospitals are attempting to lure state hospital doctors with attractive remuneration packages. The packages, which are up to three times higher in value than what public hospitals offer, are intended to secure the best resources to drive long-term growth, said Sopon Mekthon, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health.
Suthorn Bavonratanavech, chief of orthopaedics and trauma care network at Bangkok Dusit Medical Center Plc (BDMS), said hospitals lack specialist doctors and nurses.
“Thailand produces 2,500 of these professionals a year — fewer than the target of 3,000 set by the government,” Mr Suthorn, who is also the faculty chief at Bangkok Orthopedic Center of Excellence said, adding that many nurses prefer to work at private hospitals.
Doctors working at state hospitals are being offered to move to private hospital with triple the remuneration, from 70,000 baht to more than 200,000 per month, a doctor who asked to be unnamed said.
This year, the Ministry of Interior approved 90-day visas for patients and medical visitors from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV), as well as China, compared with 14-90 days granted previously.
Medical tourists from these countries, with a maximum of three companions, will be granted 90-day visas. The policy is also an expansion of a former agreement, which accorded 90-day visas to medical tourists from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC).
The policy is aimed at bolstering the Ministry of Tourism and Sports efforts to promote Thailand as a regional hub for medical and wellness tourism.
Mr Sopon said since the government implemented the second phase of the medical visa scheme, the Ministry of Public Health has compiled a list of 120-130 hospitals and healthcare centres that can provide confirmation letters to visitors seeking medical treatment.
In order to procure the 90-day visa, citizens of China, CLMV and GCC must make an appointment with the hospitals or healthcare centres listed by the Ministry of Public Health. After the appointment is made, the hospital or healthcare centre provides future patients with confirmation letters, which they must show to immigration officials when entering the country. Officials can then grant a stay of up to 90 days, at their discretion.
According to global market research firm Transparency Market Research, Malaysia’s medical tourism sector is also booming, prompting fierce competition among leading market players. The report says private hospital operators are looking to offer dynamic service changes to promote sustainable growth.
Kasikorn Research Centre, meanwhile, reported that private hospital businesses in Thailand will continue growing this year, thanks to an increase in foreign and local clients. The medical tourism industry generates about 40 billion baht per year.
Locals constitute 70% of private hospital customers in the country, but foreigners are expected to contribute 30% of the private hospital’s revenue in 2017, up from 27% last year.
Mr Sopon said Thailand, Singapore and South Korea are the most sought-after medical tourism destinations in Asia, according to a report by Visa and Oxford Economics.
Existing hospitals are expanding networks and facilities to meet growing demand, and new players are making their way into the segment, according to Mr Suthorn.
BDMS, for example, will develop a wellness clinic in Bangkok on the building of the Swissotel Nai Lert Park, which it purchased for about 10.8 billion baht, he said. Last week, the group launched a trauma centre worth 500 million baht at a hospital in Thailand.
The Thonburi Hospital Group said earlier that it will build a medical centre on a 100-140 rai plot on Rangsit Road. The project will provide a full range of medical treatments with international standards.
Rangsit University, a private institution, plans to construct RSU International Hospital on Petchaburi Road in Bangkok, expected to open in 2020.
Leading real estate company Pruksa Holdings has also set aside part of its budget to build a hospital in Bangkok. The company’s investment will help diversify its portfolio.
Vibhavadi Hospital plans to open five hospitals in Bangkok and other provinces over the next 4-5 years. The group plans to spend more than 900 million baht on the five projects.
Recognising Thailand’s strong performance in the medical tourism sector, Falck Global Assistant, a medical assistance firm based in Denmark, has entered the Southeast Asia market, opening offices in Bangkok two days ago.
According to chief executive officer Jan Madsen, the office was established to meet the need for international-calibre urgent medical assistance to individual tourists and groups of executives.