3 alternate sites offered for $100-M Japanese hospital chain project

The Philippines is offering Japanese hospital chain Tokushukai Medical Corp. (TMC) three other alternative locations for its planned $100-million medical facility which was originally to be built at the Public Estates Authority (PEA) reclamation area in Roxas Boulevard.

According to Trade and Industry Secretary Juan B. Santos, using the PEA property would increase the cost of the Tokushukai medical facility and possibly delay its completion.

TMC had previously set its groundbreaking for this month.

TMC was eyeing a 60-hectare unsold area of the reclamation site.

Instead, Santos is now offering alternative locations in either Clark, Subic or Alabang.

Santos, who was in Japan two weeks ago, also revealed that TMC has indicated that it does not need to be assigned as a special medical zone for its medical staff, especially, Japanese doctors to practice in the Philippines.

TMC, Santos said, had assured him that they would rely more on Filipino doctors, nurses and physical therapist with Japanese medical staff probably supervising them initially.

TMC plans to put up a nursing facility, a retirement center and hospital.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had previously proposed the creation of medical zones where foreign medical personnel can practice.

TMC had signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DTI last Oct. 15. 2004 for the establishment of a $100-million medical facility that would boost the Philippines’ bid to become a medical tourism destination.

The MOA paved the way for the construction of the 1,000-bed capacity hospital by TMC, the largest healthcare provider in Japan.

The hospital will be named the Benigno Aquino Memorial Hospital and will make available quality medical care to Filipinos, foreigners and to the Japanese community in the Philippines.

Talks between TMC and the government started in September last year when then Trade and Industry Secretary Cesar V. Purisima visited Japan for a trade mission.

Purisima had observed that the Japanese market is a prime candidate for the healthcare services available in the Philippines.

"Japan is a rapidly aging country and in 10 years time their average age will be approximately 60 years old, and considering that they have one-third of the world’s savings, they have enough money to pay for our services," Purisima said.

TMC is the largest medical services provider in Japan with over 51 hospitals, 61 clinics and 48 other medical facilities. It employs over 16,300 employees.

The average capacity of Tokushukai’s hospitals are 190 to 600 beds.