Government will invest in new Phuket medical hub

A paradise resort of Phuket will become an oasis of health and wellness as the government said it would invest in a new medical hub project on the island, adding another dimension to Thailand’s thriving medical tourism industry.

Phuket is one of the most popular destinations in Thailand. It regularly finishes in the top ten lists in surveys to name the world’s most popular beach resorts. The island has an international airport and is the seat of southern Thai culture, as well as boasting crystal clear waters, white-sand beaches, luxury hotels and exciting water sports.

The planned medical center will be positioned as a medical tourism hub capable of providing high-quality medical treatment to Thai citizens, expatriates and tourists in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Public Health said it would offer a complete range of healthcare services, including premium long-term care, hospice care and rehabilitation services.

The International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) has ranked Thailand one of the world’s leading medical tourism destinations in terms of value. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has said that 9 percent of tourists who visit the Kingdom are medical tourists seeking treatments because of the high quality of care ataffordable prices.

The Treasury Department owns the 16-acre plot of land in Phuket, valued in the tens of millions of dollars, on which the center will be situated. The Department will let the Ministry of Public Health use the land free of charge.

Ministry officials said they have already laid out plans for the center, and it would take about two years to construct. It has an initial budget of over $95 million for its first phase of development.

Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is home to Southeast Asia’s largest hospital, Bumrungrad International, and the Kingdom has 66 hospitals with Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation. JCI, based in the United States, is considered the gold standard in medical facility accreditation.

Photo courtesy of https://www.tourismthailand.org/Articles/10-things-to-do-in-phuket