Singapore keen to foster closer ties with Middle East medical community and patients

In recent months, Singapore concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Bahrain, providing a framework to promote closer healthcare cooperation between the two countries. The Republic was also one of the best-represented country groups at the recently concluded Arab Health 2005 exhibition and congress held in Dubai.

"We have seen an increasing number of patients from the Middle East seeking healthcare in Singapore as many of them are familiar with us since they have traveled here as tourists with their families and are comfortable in our city. Recent activity in the region as well as efforts by the healthcare providers to cater to the needs of these patients are indicative of the increasing importance of the Middle East market to Singapore," said Dr. Chan Tat Hon, Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) Assistant Chief Executive (Leisure Group, Planning) and Programme Director of Healthcare Services.

Currently, Singapore attracts more than 200,000 overseas patients a year with increasing numbers from the Middle East and expects to see an overall 20 percent increase in the coming year. By 2012, Singapore aims to attract one million overseas patients.

Ranked by the World Health Organization in 2002 as having the best health system in Asia - ahead of Japan and the US - the Southeast Asian nation offers superb healthcare facilities and specialized healthcare treatments. In 2003, an independent survey published by the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, revealed that expatriates in Asia had rated Singapore healthcare system third in the world, behind the United States and Australia.

Besides quality healthcare and advanced medical facilities, Singapore's healthcare providers offer dedicated international patient service centers which take care of every aspect of a patient's trip including travel; admission; appointments; transport and interpreters. Patients are typically offered dedicated, integrated service, catering for the requirements of its regional patients, including Halal diet, customized bedrooms, and same-gender doctors on request.

The country supported its largest-ever delegation at Arab Health 2005, with participation from four main healthcare providers - National Healthcare Group, SingHealth Group which comprises KK Women's and Children's Hospital, National Cancer Centre, National Heart Centre and Singapore National Eye Centre, Parkway Group Healthcare and Raffles Hospital.

"The medical community in the Middle East has also shown interest in learning more about our country's medical system and we are open to having such exchanges and collaborations." said Dr. Chan.