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Middle east votes Singapore for medical tourism

The number of patients traveling to Singapore for medical treatment has risen 20 percent in 2006, according to new figures published. Singapore has one of the most pioneering and developed healthcare systems in the…

The number of patients traveling to Singapore for medical treatment has risen 20 percent in 2006, according to new figures published. Singapore has one of the most pioneering and developed healthcare systems in the world providing medical procedures and surgery which only a few countries specialize in such as stem cell transplants, living donor liver transplants and advanced robotic surgery.

Due to the advanced nature of the country’s medical facilities an increasing number of patients from the UAE are traveling to Singapore for specialized treatment.

An average of 200 people seeking medical care from the Middle East visited Singapore each month in 2006, an increase of 20 percent over last year.

In 2005, a total of 374,000 international patients visited Singapore, an increase of 15 percent on the previous year.

To help raise awareness of Singapore’s medical system, a delegation of healthcare companies and leading doctors from Singapore will attend the Arab Health Exhibition in Dubai in January to highlight the world-class facilities, delivery and care offered by the Southeast Asian state.

Singapore is sending its largest ever delegation of doctors and government health figures to attend the event, with the number of participating companies increased by a third on the previous year. On display at the Singapore Pavilion will be the range of facilities and expertise offered in the country.

“Singapore is at the forefront of medical care and has a world-class healthcare system offering the most advanced treatments by leading medical professionals,” said Ke-Wei Peh, Area Director for the Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.

Ranked by the World Health Organization as having the best health system in Asia ahead of Japan and the US, the nation has first-rate health care with a multitude of specialized, expert treatments in key areas such as haematology, cardiology, ophthalmology and oncology.

“Increasingly we are seeing more people from the Arab world visit Singapore for medical treatment. As part of a multi-faith and multi-cultural society where 15 percent of the population is Muslim, we are very familiar with the specific requirements in care and service that Arab Nationals desire. It is not a matter of cost that leads patients to Singapore but the availability of excellent surgery and medical procedures unavailable anywhere else in the world,” added Ke-Wei.

Such is the demand for information about medical treatment in Singapore for patients from the Middle East, a number of dedicated organizations have been established to facilitate healthcare tourism. Global Wellness Travel, which is participating in Arab Health for the first time, is a specialist tour operator which offers health screening and tour packages with customized itineraries.

Singapore healthcare companies have been working with partners from the region and beyond to provide a holistic approach to healthcare development and delivery, from healthcare services, patient care, medical travel services, operations management, medical devices and equipment manufacturing, as well as healthcare technology.

Singapore healthcare companies participating in Arab Health 2007 include CADI Scientific Pte Lts, The DRx Clinic Pte Ltd, Ezyhealth Singapore Pte Ltd, Micro Filtration Technology Pte Ltd, Neotec Medical Industries Pte Ltd, Rockeby biomed Pte ltd, Singapore Health Services, Susan Lim Surgery Group Surgical Practice and The West Clinic Excellence Cancer Center.

Arab Health is the largest healthcare event in the Middle East attracting more than 2,000 exhibitors from 67 countries and hosting 30 dedicated national pavilions. The Arab Health Conference running alongside the exhibition is the largest multi-track medical conference in the world with 250 international speakers and more than 5,000 delegates. Arab Health will run from 29 January until 1 February 2007.

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