Health tourism sector plays catch-up

Dubai: A ban on kidney transplant operations involving foreigners has cast uncertainty on the country's efforts to project itself as a health tourism haven and its hopes of attracting more visitors from the GCC.

The government banned kidney transplants for foreigners in a bid to protect poor peasants and prisoners who often sell their kidneys for paltry sums.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the move was to pre-empt an expected surge in demand after China and Pakistan initiated measures outlawing the sale of human organs.

All the same, Manila faces an uphill battle with neighbours such as Thailand and Singapore and, to a lesser extent, Malaysia, in its bid to establish itself as a health tourism destination.

Carmina Clemente Desales, Chief Operating Officer of Capitol Medical Centre, told Gulf News the kidney transplant ban had hit the health tourism sector in the Philippines hard.

"Transplant surgery has a big question mark on it right now. Previously, kidney transplants were very popular, especially with GCC nationals," she said.

The high incidence of diabetes and hypertension in GCC countries has led to high rates of renal failure and a need for kidney transplants.

According to government officials, at least 500 kidney transplants involving foreign patients were conducted last year in the Philippines. Many of the beneficiaries were from Japan, Europe and the Middle East.

Despite the uncertainty, Carmina said hospitals would abide by the ruling. She said her hospital had set out certain guidelines to go about kidney transplant surgeries.

"We will only be doing it between living related donors or non-related donors, such as a spouse or in-laws. Not between strangers," she added.

Hospitals vying for a share of the medical tourism dollar are now trying to sell plastic and reconstructive procedures as well as general medical check-ups to tourists.

"We're trying to play catch-up now. But we have certain advantages and assets, such as tourist attractions and the nurturing attitude that created a strong demand for our (medical personnel) abroad," said Alma Rita Jimenez, President of St Frances Cabrini Medical Centre.

Carmina and Jimenez were speaking to the press after a Philippine Medical Tourism Business meeting held in Dubai.

"Today, the Philippine government asserts its mandate to protect the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of our society," Health Secretary Francisco Duque had told a news conference immediately after announcing the ban.

- With inputs from agencies