tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11620656.post116061810685460785..comments2023-08-02T22:57:30.179+08:00Comments on The World As I Know It: Medical TourismUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11620656.post-1160705702162711862006-10-13T10:15:00.000+08:002006-10-13T10:15:00.000+08:00iggy: I think you are right - thanks!Dr Huang: Agr...iggy: I think you are right - thanks!<BR/><BR/>Dr Huang: Agree with you that healthcare facilities need "gatekeepers". I believe that the govt hospitals have their own ethics committees to look into issues of ethical behaviour. But when it comes to money issues, it probably would not come under their purview. Personally, I think such gatekeepers should not have vested interests in the institutions. They should be advocates for the patients, ensuring that informed decisions regarding their health care are made. This may come with an additional cost to the patient if their is no funding for such advocates.<BR/>We also need to look at medical tourism from the other perspective of our own citizens seeking treatment in cheaper countries like Malaysia, Thailand, India or even China! This is already happening though not to a huge degree (yet). Issues like quality of care, continuation of care etc will have to be addressed by our local medical community - SMC? MOH? SMA? Someone will need to step up to the plate. It will be a huge undertaking.aliendochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16943953235357596536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11620656.post-1160692279262195392006-10-13T06:31:00.000+08:002006-10-13T06:31:00.000+08:00I think it's "dubiousness", rather than "dubiosity...I think it's "dubiousness", rather than "dubiosity", but I may be wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11620656.post-1160663845951330362006-10-12T22:37:00.000+08:002006-10-12T22:37:00.000+08:00Hi aliendoc,Medical tourism is singled out by our ...Hi aliendoc,<BR/>Medical tourism is singled out by our govt as the next big thing. It is understandable as each foreign patient typically comes with one or two carers and the whole lot of them stay for at least a week or two. The economic spin-offs include hotels/F&B and of course healthcare related businesses.<BR/>So long as it brings in money, the Health Ministry will support it.<BR/>Therein lies the danger. Medical ethical problems of over-treatment, overcharging can easily occur in the pursuit of Vit.M!<BR/>All medical institutions ( ie hospitals) and fraternities ( ie sub-speciality organisations) more than ever require men/women of dignity to be involved in gate-keeping to ensure that our profession remain an honorable one.<BR/>Hope you know what I mean!<BR/>Dr.HuangnofearSingaporehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10292932144525733468noreply@blogger.com