The Bangkok Hospital
The Bangkok Hospital. (Source: http://thailand-business-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Bangkok_hospital_building01.jpg)
The Bangkok Hospital. (Source: http://www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk/images/uploads/KS3_Paradise_hospital.jpg)
Question 1:
What is this place?
-It is a hospital located in Bangkok , Thailand . It was opened in 1972 by a team of doctors, pharmacists and 30 nurses. Bangkok Hospital Medical Center is a 520- bed tertiary care hospital with a 90-bed International Medical Center that focuses exclusively on international patients.
Question 3:
Why do tourists visit this place?
-It is one of the largest privately-owned hospitals in Southeast Asia and one of the most technologically sophisticated hospitals in the world today. It also provides healthcare for more than 3.4 million patients from some 160 countries. It offers a broad range of services including a retail pharmacy, a café and a 7/11 convenience store. Four hospitals and broad range of specialized clinics, BMC is equipped with all of the diagnostic and treatment facilities not generally available at local hospitals.Received many awards such as Prime Ministers Export Award 2001, 1st Place Hospital Asia Management Awards 2002, Superbrand Award Thailand 2003 & 2004, Selected by White House Medical Staff to Provide Medical Care to US President Bush and White House Staff during 2003 APEC Meeting in Bangkok , Thailand.
-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Hospital
-http://www.thaiwebsites.com/medical-tourism-thailand.asp
( Question 5:
Will medical tourism generate further income for the hospitals involved and for Thailand in general?
- Yes. Thailand 's assets as a center for medical care for foreigners are multiple. More foreigners came to Thailand to have medical treatment because the standard of treatment and technology is high. The prices are mostly lower than in other countries who provide similar quality and technology. The hospital environment in Thailand is clearly more hospitable. It is fair to say that all the hospitals mentioned above, also look good, are mostly new, and give a favorable impression as soon as you enter them. The tourism infrastructure is well developed.
-Income from medical tourism to Thailand is projected to increase in the following years. It has to be recognized that 33 billion baht of income (about 850 million US dollar) is only a small proportion of the total income generated by tourism.)
(Question 6:
Does this all affect the medical care for the Thai population itself?
-Yes. Most Thai patients can not afford to go to private hospitals. So where to they go to? Over the last few years the Thai Government has developed the so-called '30 baht scheme'. This is a universal healtcare programme whereby everybody get treatment at public hospitals for a standard fee per visit of only just 30 baht. Basically this amounts to free health care. The hospitals who participate in the scheme, get a lump sum per patient registered. We think at present it amounts to somewhat less than 2,000 baht per patient. It has to be recognized as a major achievement, since before that there hardly was any proper healtcare available for the poorer (that is the larger) part of the population.)
Done by: Kalayarat Vanich 4M and Clarissa Yeo 4R
The Bangkok Hospital
Room for Patient
http://www.restoredbeautygetaways.com/images/phuket-hospital-01.jpg
Qn. 1: What is this place?
Bangkok hospital is one of the largest privately owned hospital in South East Asia that is well prepared as a medical tourist hub combining World technology with Thai hospitality.
Qn. 2: Where is this place?
It is located in the south of Thailand on Phuket Island. They are within a close distance from world famous beaches such as Patong, Kata and Karon beach.
Qn. 3: Why do tourists visit this place?
Tourists visit this place because they are experienced in closed and open-heart surgery, keyhole surgery, hip and knee replacement. The Aesthetic centre specialises in plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery such as facelift, liposuction, and breast augmentation. They also have a dental clinic in the hospital with specialised dentists. The skin centre has non-surgical treatments like Titan, FPL and Botox.
The Aesthetic (cosmetic surgery) Center at Bangkok Hospital Phuket provides a full range of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery options for patients. Internationally trained and experienced plastic surgeons offer world-class surgery in a safe hospital environment for both women and men.
Besides getting medical treatment, people can also enjoy the natural beauty of Phuket, its glorious beaches and tropical climate.
Qn. 4: What are the sources of information for this place?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok_Hospital
http://www.thaiwebsites.com/medical-tourism-thailand.asp
(Qn. 5: What kind of tourist visits this place?)
Usually, people who are concern with their health and people who can appreciate the beauty of tropical island will visit this place.
(Qn. 6: Does medical tourism affect the medical care for the Thai population itself?)
Foreigners have a medical problem while in Thailand, they invariably seem to end up in one of a few hospitals that have a good reputation. The last 4 or 5 years up to 60% of patients are foreigners. The cost of the medical treatment will increase as the foreigners affords to pay the expensive fees. The hospital will upgrade their medical equipment as they get more profit from the foreigners and keep increasing their fees because they have the latest technology. While the locals find it expensive, thus they can not afford to go to this good reputation hospital such as Bangkok Hospital.Done by Astri Devi 4R, Jessica Ardelia Tan 4D
The Bangkok Hospital is based on medical and health tourism. This is because many tourists go to the hospital for closed and open-heart surgery, keyhole surgery, hip and knee replacement, plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery such as facelift, liposuction, and breast augmentation as well as non-surgical treatments like Titan, FPL and Botox.
- Lee Sae Yun, Lim Yixian (4D)