| 16 May 2009 |
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'Despite global economic crisis, medical tourism thriving'
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AMMAN - The global economic crisis that has affected world countries did not seem to touch one sector in the country - medical tourism, according to industry leaders.
Considered one of the main contributors to the national economy, medical tourism brings in revenues that reach $1 billion annually; it also has been witnessing a yearly steady increase of around 10 per cent of foreign patients, Private Hospitals Association (PHA) President Fawzi Hammouri told The Jordan Times in an interview.
A study conducted by the PHA shows that 210,100 patients from 48 countries received treatment in the Kingdom last year, compared to 190,000 in 2007.
"The high quality and competitive cost of healthcare in Jordan have made the country an attractive destination for foreigners seeking advanced treatments that are unavailable or unaffordable in their home countries," Hammouri noted.
He added that Jordan has achieved an advanced status in the field of medical tourism also due to the sector's medical, human and technical potentials, "which earned the country an outstanding reputation in the region and the world".
Medical tourism experts at the World Bank ranked Jordan number one in the Arab region and fifth in the world as a medical tourism hub, said Hammouri.
In addition to traditional markets in the Arab countries, new markets were recently tapped in Chad, Nigeria, Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and plans are in place to reach Germany, the UK and the US, he said.
In preparation for this step, some 100 representatives of the US medical sector and insurance companies will visit the Kingdom in July to have a firsthand look at the capabilities of the sector.
To attract Americans seeking treatment abroad, who last year numbered over 750,000, according to the US-based Medical Treatment Association, the association has made "unprecedented special offers", Hammouri said.
"Americans seeking treatment in Jordan will have to pay only 25 per cent of the value the same medical procedure in their country. The package also includes the plane ticket, accommodation and a visit to Petra, to encourage tourism as well," he said, noting that the initiative was adopted in view of the current financial crisis that has prompted Americans to seek high-quality, low-cost medical treatment abroad.
Currently, there are 60 private health institutions, accommodating 5,000 beds, in the Kingdom.
Of these, four hospitals earned international accreditation.
Next year the Kingdom will be hosting an international conference to promote Jordan as a medical tourism destination, with participants from Arab, European countries and the US.
"Our target is to promote Jordan's position in this field, tackle the obstacles hindering our progress in the field and discuss how to facilitate patient travel among various countries," Hammouri said.
By Khetam Malkawi
© Jordan Times 2009
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