Tuesday, November 23, 2021, 10.29 a.m.
KASIKORN THAI indicates the game-changing point of Thai medical tourism from 4 coordinates.
Health Tech, Genomics Medicine, Government Policies and Private Investments Sending Thailand as a Sustainable Medical Hub
Competitors for medical tourism drown! KASIKORN THAI WANTS TO STAND ONE Can’t go alone, raising 4 factors that will lead Thailand to be the world’s leading medical center in the long run as well as promoting a health-tech ecosystem that focuses on research and development of innovations for health pushing medical genomics government support and private investment Raise the level to sustainable quality medical tourism. will help drive the economy in the long run support the aging society Reduce medical expenses for the government, hoping that by 2037 it will generate 150 billion baht in income for the country.
Mr. Pipit Aneknithi, Managing Director Kasikorn Bank gave a speech on the topic “Medical Hub in Thailand: Opportunities and Challenges” at the Academic Endocrine Weekend 2021 seminar organized by the Endocrine Society of Thailand. that before the emergence of COVID-19 Thailand’s main income is being one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. especially Medical Tourism as the Medical Hub of Asia. Medical tourists coming to Thailand in 2017 accounted for 38% of all medical tourists in Asia. However, the number of medical tourists continued to slow down. Even before the spread of COVID-19 The growth rate has slowed from 13% in 2017 to only 0.3% in 2019. The key question is how can medical tourism continue to be strong and stable? To hold a position as a long-term global medical destination
There are three issues and challenges of medical tourism in Thailand:
1. Structural problems that Thailand focuses on treating uncomplicated diseases and emphasizing service strengths rather than the use of technology and specialized treatments. Limited number of medical personnel And it will not increase enough to support the domestic demand that will rise rapidly from the problem of aging society. Including the cost of importing medicines and medical supplies. In 2020, it was found that Thailand imported medicines and medical supplies worth more than 160 billion baht, accounting for 70% of the total cost of medicines and medical supplies. causing loss of opportunity to use these budgets to research and develop innovative medicines by Thai people
2. The outbreak of COVID-19 affect overall tourism And medical tourism is inevitable. It is estimated that by 2024, or about 4 more years, the number of medical tourists will recover back to normal at 1.2-1.3 million people per year
3. Intense competition from regional countries Compared to countries that promote medical tourism as a star industry such as South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand’s strengths are found in medical expenses which is at a competitive level and compared to the treatment in the United States Thailand will save more than 82%. In addition, Thailand’s medical tourism is at the forefront of Asia, with more than 66 medical facilities that have passed JCI (Joint Commission International) standards. began to compete in this market even more. Investments have also begun to build a comprehensive medical center such as Dubai Health Care City (DHCC) to serve the needs of the Middle East region.
From the above issues and challenges Therefore, it is believed that it is time for Thailand to transform itself from quantity-focused medical tourism to sustainable medical tourism, focusing on quality, expertise and technology to become a business that can drive the Thai economy in the future. long term At the same time, it helps to increase the medical potential of the country. Support the aging society of Thailand and reduce the cost of health care for the government
There are 4 factors that will help elevate Thailand to become a World-Class Medical Hub:
Factor 1 Promotion of Health Tech Ecosystem
1.1 The use of technology to develop services and achieve actual use which the spread of COVID-19 It is a catalyst for the transformation of medical models into more online formats. This is reflected in telemedicine services. (Telemedicine) that is on the rise during COVID-19 can help people access medical services more conveniently and as an opportunity to earn money Reduce the burden on the public health system that is about to bear the burden of aging society as well. Examples of health tech in foreign countries are interesting, for example, in China, there is a platform Ping An Good Doctor provides comprehensive health services. Currently, Ping An Good Doctor has 400 million registered users, generating over $1 billion in revenue.
1.2 Strictly supporting the health tech startup ecosystem in Thailand At present, Thailand has a health tech startup ecosystem which covers both medicine. Medicines from medicinal plants that are researched and developed from modern science and technology. physical therapy services, drug delivery, long-distance hospitals Network of doctors, etc., if there is funding, can enhance capacity, create a big and realistic business model. It will be able to upgrade the medical services of Thailand to be better.
Factor 2 towards Genomic Medicines
2.1 Genomics is a medical innovation that uses individual genetic information along with other health information to diagnose, treat and predict disease risk factors. including the treatment of chronic diseases at the cellular level Therefore, the patient can be treated precisely, precisely and has the opportunity to be cured from chronic diseases that are expensive.
2.2 Promoting genomics medicine will help upgrade Thailand’s treatment to precision medical services. Using technology to treat more complex diseases Therefore, it is an opportunity to generate higher income from the medical tourism group. And with this advancement, people’s health care will be more efficient. Thus, it can help reduce health expenditures in the country, which are largely the burden of the government. It is predicted that the adoption of genomics medicine Thailand will be able to save more than 300 billion baht in health expenditures in 2037, or more than 1% of GDP.
Factor 3 Government Support
3.1 The strategic plan of Thailand Medical Hub is the role of the government sector to push forward Especially in the production of skilled personnel with more specific expertise. and promoting research to enable Thailand to create unique Thai medical products. mix technology enter the industry To elevate the medical center of Thailand to the next level. ready to meet the needs of consumers in the post-Covid-19 era
3.2 Investment promotion through BOI, which clearly sees the trend that The government focuses on promoting investment in specialized services and high-technology services. They will receive tax exemption benefits for up to 8 years, which is an opportunity for service providers in this business to invest.
3.3 Issuing a policy to promote a 10-year long-stay visa for foreigners in line with the direction of the world that is entering an aging society
Factor 4 Investment by a private company (Corporate Venture)
The country’s leading conglomerates invest in both technology and capital. Started to provide health and medical business services in various forms such as medical center services, telemedicine services, pharmaceutical companies. Retailers with outstanding innovation including seeing opportunities from genomics medicine It will be extended to provide services in a larger size. and lead Thailand to become a sustainable regional medical center faster.
Mr. Pipit added that If Thailand can integrate technology potential along with support from government policies and investment from the private sector with high potential Upgrading the country’s medical services to become the world’s leading medical center in a sustainable manner It is certainly possible Healthcare Industry It will become an important service sector in generating income into the country. and drive the economy in the future In addition, Thai people will have the opportunity to access medical services more easily and economically through technology. Reduce the burden of government expenditure on health care in the long run. Image In 2019, Thai medical tourism generates 23.5 billion baht in revenue, and it is expected that by 2037 it will generate income for the country of 1.5 hundred thousand. million baht
