Singapore's name for high-end treatment still draws foreigners, but patients are counting the costs

By Alicia Wong

Seychelles resident Ms. Julita Jeanne D'Arc Verlaque has been travelling to Singapore for medical attention for the last 10 years. It began with a: gynaecological check-up, a tummy tuck and, most recently in October, a procedure at the Lasik Surgery Centre.

"I like Singapore very much. I find the system very professional," said the 44-year-old, who books her appointments online and persuaded her sister and friend to also seek treatment here.

But with global economies plunged into crisis, will Singapore see the stream of medical tourists like them slow to a trickle?

"In the Seychelles we're being hit really hard. I would consider twice (coming to Singapore) if it's for beauty. But if it's a medical treatment, I will go ahead - I would sell my car," Ms Verlaque quipped.

On the one hand, prospective patients' spending power can be expected to dry up. On the other hand, this could be all the more reason for someone in Europe, say, to seek treatment here as it would be cheaper than back home.

And with the recent political turmoil in Bangkok - a cheaper rival medical hub within the region - having deterred foreign visitors, Singapore could stand to benefit, you would think.

According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), it is too early to tell the long-term impact of the financial crisis.

Early indications show a "slight flattening" to no impact on the numbers of foreign patients coming here, said Dr Jason Yap, STB's director of healthcare services division.

But views among industry players are mixed.

Procedure could cost six times more in the US.

At Singapore Medical Group, where up to 60 per cent of its patients hail from abroad, president Cheryl Baumann expects those from countries such as Germany, Japan and Australia to increase in 2009, citing as a reason "the quality services which we offer at an attractive price". :The group has six clinics offering acute and elective treatments.

Healthbase , a United States-based company specialising in medical travel , has seen more queries from Americans looking "for affordable healthcare overseas". "We foresee a growth in the number of people travelling to Singapore for medical attention ," said chief executive Saroja Mohanasundaram.

Already, some companies like Hannaford Bros, are sending their employees here for treatment. Its employees can get hip and knee replacements at the National University Hospital. The procedures cost US$10,000 ($14,600) to US$15,000 here, compared to as much as US$60,000 in the US.

What the Republic has going for it is a reputation for complicated or advanced surgeries.

"The brand equity of Singapore is much better in the eyes of the Western traveller vis-a-vis other Asian destinations like Thailand, India or Malaysia," said Mr Saurav Ghosh, business development manager of medical travel company MedicalSingapore.com.

Still, there are cheaper alternatives elsewhere...

The drawback? The cost of hotels and service apartments here have risen substantially - discouraging patients who require longer periods of treatment.

Local healthcare provider ParkwayHealth, meanwhile, has seen a 5 to 7 per cent dip in medical tourists.

While the outlook appears positive for advanced treatments, fewer patients could be coming here for elective or simple surgeries.

"During an economic downturn, patients tend to postpone elective surgeries," said a ParkwayHealth spokesman.

On the flip side, the company has observed a "rising number of patients from non-traditional markets like Vietnam, Cambodia, the Middle East and Russia, and other less developed countries, where state-of-the-art medical facilities are hard to come by".

As for Healthbase, only 4 per cent of its customers choose Singapore, "mainly due to cheaper alternatives available in Asia like India ", said Ms Mohanasundaram.

Singapore may be a preferred destination for cancer therapy, heart procedures and wellness, she said — but India is the first choice for orthopedic and spinal procedures and is the most affordable, while Thailand is big on cosmetic surgery .

Also, "for surgeries for which cost savings don't justify travelling far, one looks to their neighbours," she said. So, Americans turn to Mexico for dental treatment , while Britons choose Hungary or Belgium .

Yet, while other regions may offer cheaper treatments, STB's Dr Yap said patients coming to Singapore could end up paying less because they stay for a shorter duration, as opposed to being hospitalised for longer at a cheaper place.

If one counts not just patients but also their companions, Singapore saw 555,000 people coming here for medical purposes in 2006, and 571,000 last year, said Dr Yap. Total tourism receipts from the healthcare industry amounted to $1.3 billion in 2006 and $1.7 billion last year.

More at: http://www.todayonline.com/articles/293755.asp