The Philippines: Island Lifestyle and Medical Savings

The Philippines, an island nation in Southeast Asia, has been a top tourist spot for years with thousands of people visiting the tropical beaches on its 7000 islands. Recently, travelers are including low-cost health care treatments during their island getaway trip. With rising health costs and lengthening waiting lists in many Western countries, the Philippines has become one of the premier destinations for people looking for international-quality medical facilities providing a range of procedures for a fraction of the cost back home.

Why choose The Philippines for travel and treatment?

The islands of the Philippines are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and large tracts of the country are covered by tropical rainforest. Visitors can spend their holiday relaxing in wonderful seaside resorts, island hopping and trekking through the jungle. With the warm, temperate climate and friendly and welcoming people, the Philippines are truly a tropical paradise. Over the last few years, the Philippine government has been developing the country into a health-tourism hub. Many vacationers are now choosing to combine a vacation with a hospital visit, while reaping huge savings when compared to the cost of treatments alone in their home countries.

Medical Facilities in The Philippines

There are more than two thousand hospitals in the Philippines and many specialist clinics. There are almost 100,000 hospital beds in private institutions located in Manila and also some of the more popular tourist areas, especially Davao and Luzon. The facilities in the top private hospitals are on a par with American hospitals and the staff is highly skilled.

The Philippines' Hospitals and International Standards of Care

A high proportion of the doctors and nurses has trained and worked abroad in Australia, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom. In major cities and tourism areas, English is spoken by nearly 90% of the population, and of course, English is the norm in the Philippine medical industry. In 2009, the country welcomed more than half a million overseas tourists seeking health care, and this number is expected to rise yearly. There is an exceptional range of services and procedures on offer. Some of the most popular are spine and neurology and cosmetic surgery, which are available at a fraction of the cost of that in the US. A facelift (rhytidectomy) costing anywhere between $10,000 and $30,000 in America,

typically costs approximately $1,000 to $4,000 in the Philippines. Laminoplasty (relieving pressure on the spine caused by stenosis) can run to a whopping $122,000 in the US, while the same procedures runs to around $9,000 in the Philippines, which is a savings of more than 90%. In fact, you can expect a saving of at least 75% for most procedures compared to US costs.

Convalescence in The Philippines

With most of the minor procedures involving only a short stay in hospital, many visitors choose to stay on the islands of the Philippines as an ideal location for rest and relaxation. The islands provide a perfect opportunity for a stress-free and pampering break, and this vacation also allows time for aftercare services and follow-up treatments.

The Philippines Travel Information

Visitors to the Philippines are granted 21-day stay upon arrival. If you anticipate a longer stay, obtain a visa before traveling to the Philippines. Visa validity is typically three months, six months or one year, and visas are easy to arrange, especially when treatment is booked in advance. The currency is the Philippine peso, which is around 45 to the dollar, and 70 to the British pound. The voltage is 220 V, but some of the major hotels offer the 110 voltage common in the US. It is advisable for North Americans to bring a voltage converter.

The Philippines Quick Facts
Location:	Languages Filipino (official) English (official) Population 97,976,603 Currency Philippine peso (PHP) Capital Manila Major Airports Ninoy Aquino Intl (MNL) Electricity 220 volts 50 Hz Time Zone UTC/GMT +8