The Government of Thailand is implementing a strategy to make it aworld-class medical hub in the region, especially high-end services, andto boost the country’s medical tourism sector.
Thefour-year strategy covers four pillars of medical treatment -healthcare, traditional medicine and medical products, especiallyoriental medicines. It aims to encourage local clinics and healthcareunits to improve their services and competitiveness.
According to recent data released by the Ministry of Health, more than 2million foreign patients travelled to Thailand in hope to accessbetter health services, particularly cosmetic surgery, in 2012. Themajority came from Japan, the US, China, the UK, Germany andthe Middle East.
The Government has implemented a90-day visa scheme for six countries in the Gulf region in a recent moveto make it easier for citizens from these nations to enter Thailandfor the sake of health services.
In another movetowards the formation of the ASEAN Community by 2015, Thai healthofficials have been introducing health service reforms to ensure theeffective use of investment. Accordingly, 50 hospitals in the borderareas will be upgraded to meet the surge in medical tourists fromneighbouring countries flocking to Thailand for treatment.-VNA