Medical Tourism

Chapter 7
 Definition: Medical
Tourism
Traveling to avail of healthcare services or treatments for illnesses
and health problems in order to maintain good health and well
being.

Broadly defined as health holiday along with a provision for “cost-

effective” private medical care in collaboration with the tourism
industry for patients needing surgical and/or other forms of
specialized treatment
The Philippines has been recognized as one of the best medical
tourism destinations in the world. It ranked number 8 in the list
released by the International Healthcare Research Center and the
Medical Tourism Association (MTA) in 2015.
 Definition: Tertiary
Hospital
An institution that provides clinical care and management, as well
as specialized forms of treatments, surgical procedures and
intensive care.

There are a number of DOT-accredited tertiary hospitals in the

country, including the Philippine Heart Center, St. Luke’s Medical
Center and The Medical City, which are all located in Metro
Manila.
Philippine Medical Tour ism Program
(PMTP)
Created by virtue of E.O. 372 issued by then President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo in October 2004.

A private-public initiative aimed at attracting foreign clients to the

Philippines for needed medical care as well as health and wellness
services coupled with sightseeing tours, vacation and shopping
packages.

Private and government hospitals, medical centers and business

entities engaged in retail, wellness, spa, health and tourism are
involved in this program.
Medical procedures offered by tertiary hospitals for medical
tourism:
• heart surgery;
• thoracic and lung surgery;
• glaucoma surgery;
• hip and knee replacement; tumor surgery;
• breast augmentation;
• dental treatment;
• vision rehabilitation;
• dialysis;
• chemotherapy for all types of cancer; and
• general surgery
 Forms of Business
Organizat ion
Tertiary hospitals for medical tourism, being more capital-
intensive, are expected to be organized as a corporation.
 Gover nment al
Regulat ion
Department of Health (DOH) - the agency primarily
responsible for regulating and/or licensing tertiary hospitals.

Department of Tourism (DOT) - merely accredits tertiary hospitals

for medical tourism.
 Requirement s f or DOT
Accredit at ion
While tertiary hospitals for medical tourism get their basic license
from the DOH, it would be advantageous for them to apply for
accreditation with the DOT to avail of the benefits of being in the
roster of accredited establishments which are being marketed or
advertised by the DOT to local and foreign tourists.

DOT accreditation is required before hospitals classified for

“medical tourism” can avail of income tax holiday pursuant to the
Philippine Investments Priorities Plan.
 Requirement s f or DOT
Accredit at ion
Minimum Requirements:

• Location - establishment should be located in a place with

pleasant environment suitable for a tertiary hospital.

• Bedroom Facilities and Furnishings - there must be

private and suite rooms equipped with fittings of the highest
quality with 24-hour service of hot and cold running water.
Rooms should have bathrooms with shower, telephone, cable
TV, drinking water and refrigerator.
• Bedroom Facilities and Furnishings - there must be 24-hour
room service including provisions for snacks, light refreshments
and special diet based on the guest’s/patient’s specific request.
Information on hospital services must be prominently displayed in
each bedroom, including food and beverage outlets and their hours
of operation, fire exit guidelines and house rules for guests.

• Front Office/Reception - must provide 24-hour service and

attended by highly qualified, trained and experienced staff. It must
have a well-designed lounge with seating facilities, the size of which
is to commensurate with the capacity of the hospital.
• Front Office/Reception - It must also have a 24-hour porter
service, a foreign exchange counter within the premises, public
phone facilities for overseas calls, a secured lift-luggage room and
safety deposit box, and a business center equipped with office
equipment (e.g. fax machine, computer, telephone etc.) and with
provision for secretarial and mailing services.

• Housekeeping - must be of the highest possible standard. There

must be an adequate supply of linen, blankets and towels made from
the highest quality.
• Food and Beverage - must have a well-equipped, well-furnished and
well-maintained restaurant serving both International and Filipino
cuisine.

• Engineering and Maintenance - all sections of the tertiary

hospital must be properly maintained at all times. There must be
efficient and adequate ventilation in all areas of the hospital, and
adequate lighting in all public and private areas. There must be a high-
powered standby generator capable of providing full automatic power
in all service areas of the hospital.
• General Facilities - there must be an elevator designed for the
exclusive use of patients, guests and staff. There must also be an
adequate and secured parking area, if necessary, provide valet service.
Furthermore, CCTV on each floor, limousine service, airport transfers
are required as well as an air ambulance service must be available upon
request.

• Staff - must employ professionally qualified, highly trained,

experienced, efficient and courteous staff who must always be in smart
and clean uniforms.
Operat ion and M aint enance of
Tert iar y Hospitals for Medical
Tourism
The maintenance of all sections of a tertiary hospital for medical
tourism must be of acceptable standard and must be made on a
continuing basis.

Appropriate signboards must be conspicuously displayed outside

the establishment showing clearly the name of the hospital.
Likewise, appropriate signs within the hospital premises must be
installed.
 Applicat ion f or DOT
Accredit at ion
Documentary Requirements:
• Certified True Copy of Articles of Incorporation/ Articles of
Partnership/ Business Name Certificate;
• List of thenames of all officials and employees and their
designations,
nationalities, home addresses;
• Mayor’s permit/ municipal license;
• DOH license;
• Fire safety inspection certificate;
• Other documents as may be required from time to time by the DOT
A certificate of accreditation is valid for a period of two (2) years
from the date of issue, unless sooner revoked or cancelled by the DOT.
Grounds f or Cancellat ion of
Accredit at ion
Making any false declaration or statement, or making use of any such declaration
or statement or any document containing the same or committing fraud or any act
of misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining the issuance of accreditation;
Failure to maintain the standards and requirements for accreditation as
prescribed in applicable DOT rules;
Violation of or non-compliance with rules, promulgated orders, decisions and
circulars issued by the DOT and other relevant government agencies;
Cancellation of DOH license or any permits issued by local government units; and
Any other act or omission that works against the interest of the tourism industry.
 Potential
Liabilities
The operation of a tertiary hospital for medical tourism has
significant impact on public health.
The owner or operator thereof has to exercise the due diligence of a
good father of the family in all aspects of the operation of the
hospital, including the supervision of employees.
Otherwise, its guilty officers may be held criminally, civilly and
administratively liable for negligence, as well as for all acts or
omissions committed against any patient of the hospital by its
erring employees.