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Travel and Tourism in the Philippines
The Philippines is the third largest English speaking country in the world. The Philippines is an island nation comprising of 7,107 islands in the Pacific Ocean which has a rich history with Asian, European, and American influences.
A tropical paradise, it is a perfect holiday destination for those in love with the sun, sea, surf and sand. Manila is the capital city of this country and a central hub for commerce, culture, and trade.
Medical Travel and Tourism in the Philippines
The Philippines is also a popular destination for medical travel and medical tourists. The Philippines has many world class hospitals and medical centers. St. Luke’s Medical City in Quezon City, and The Medical City in Pasig City are both JCI accredited. This accreditation attracts many tourists to Philippines since patients are assured of a comparable standard of medical attention as they would expect at home, and at a fraction of the cost. The Department of Health in Philippines also monitors quality assurance in these hospitals.
Medical Training in the Philippines
Medical degree education in Philippines is modeled on after the U.S. Medical school system. The doctors are expected to undergo 8 to 10 years of intensive medical studies, one year of clinical internship and an additional 3-5 years of postgraduate residency. This period is extended when students want to specialize in a particular subject.
Many doctors and surgeons in the Philippines have graduate medical training in countries like the United States, Europe, Australia, Singapore or Japan. Most medical practitioners are conversant in communicative English. Overall, the Philippines doctors are some of the most highly trained and educated in Asia.
Medical Facilities in the Philippines
The medical centers and hospitals in the Philippines offer a wide range of treatments from cosmetic surgery and coronary bypass surgeries to kidney transplants. The country also offers medical treatments for cancer. The Philippines also has several spa resorts that have received international recognition for facilities that are world-class. The Institute for Traditional Massage (ITM) is located in Quezon City in a renovated 2,500 square meter complex. Other private and government run hospitals are promoting alternative and traditional healthcare as well.
Pros and Cons
Medical procedures in the Philippines are carried out at a fraction of the cost compared to similar treatments in the United States and Europe. The costs in the Philippines are some of the lowest of any medical tourism destination; especially one with JCI accredited hospitals. One of the reasons for this low cost is the lower standard of living . The Philippines also has some poverty which might shock some westerners.
If you do your research, and do not mind the long and sometimes expensive flights, then the Philippines can be one of the best values for medical tourism in the world. Visas are not necessary for most foreign visitors if they stay for less than 21 days. Medical Travel and Medical Tourism in the phillippines can be a rewarding experience.
General Facts and Figures
CLIMATE
- March til May is hot and dry
- June till October is rainy
- November till February is cool
- Average temperatures: 78°F / 25°C to 90°F / 32°C
- Average humidity is 77%.
POPULATION
- 76.5 million Filipinos as of May, 2000
- Population growth is about 2.36 percent
LANGUAGES
- Filipino and English are the primary languages
- Filipino which is based on Tagalog, is the official national language
- English is widely used and is the medium of instruction in higher education
RELIGIONS
- 83% of Filipinos are Catholic
- 5% are Moslem
- The remainder are made up of other Christian denominations and Buddhist.
UNIT OF MEASURE
- The Metric System is used similar to most of the world
ELECTRICITY
- 220 volts a/c is the standard. 110 volts a/c is used in major hotels
CURRENCY
- The Peso is the Philippines' monetary unit divided into 100 centavos.
- Foreign currency may be exchanged at any hotel, most large department stores, an banks
- Visa, Diners Club, Bank Americard, Master Card, and American Express are accepted in major establishments
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