Medical or wellness tourism, with all its multiplier effects, has the potential to become to the Philippines what oil has become to other economies,” Rudy Rupak, Founder of PlanetHospital, said yesterday. 

The Philippine has a good number of qualified and U.S.-boarded medical practitioners and specialists, hospitals, wellness clinics and spas, and other establishments that can serve medical tourists from other countries, Rupak added.

PlanetHospital's founder, Rudy Rupak, is shown stressing a point during his presentation to the National Competitiveness Council and the Department of Tourism.  Attendees included NCC Private Sector Co-Chairman, Cesar Bautista, NCC Director Ruy Moreno,DOT Assistant Secretary for Sports & Wellness Tourism, Cynthia Carrion, among others. 

Rupak is in the country on a one-week visit as a guest of the Public-Private Task Force of the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) and the Department of Tourism (DOT), which have been working together to accelerate the finalization of a comprehensive medical tourism program for the country. 

Ruy Moreno, member of both the PPP Task Force and the NCC, and Cynthia Carrion, DOT Assistant Secretary for Sports & Wellness Tourism, also pointed out that Filipino doctors, nurses, and medical personnel do not only excel in performing medical procedures and surgery but are also exemplary in post-operation care. 

Rupak also announced that PlanetHospital will launch in the Philippines early next year its Diaspora health program, which will involve giving basic medical coverage to Filipinos based here and abroad when they travel and comprehensive coverage in their home country. 

“We hope to sign up a memorandum of agreement with a local HMO to help us distribute Diaspora and hasten its acceptance by the Philippine market,” Rupak said. 

Rupak also plans to bring in PlanetHospital’s call center requirements to the country. 

PlanetHospital, pioneer in medical services outsourcing, provides "the best and safest hospitals and surgeons around the world" and brings patients in the U.S. to countries where affordable and quality medical care are available.  PlanetHospital patients avail of insurance programs, which charge a small monthly premium that enables them to receive medical care, including surgery, abroad. 

“Definitely the Philippines will be a major market for medical tourists, and its multiplier effects in the economy could be very substantial.” Rupak said.