Disturbing issues about medical tourism

Continuing our discussions about medical tourism, there are some issues and concerns that had cropped up even before this particular sector of tourism could take off and contribute to the local economy’s growth.

There is high hope that the recently launched Philippine Medical Tourism Program (PMTP) will boost the country’s bid to become the preferred choice of Europeans and Americans for their medical needs. But as in many endeavors with good intentions, there are areas of possible abuse that need to be checked.

Unbridled buying and selling of organs

Recently, several television documentaries and special reports that saw print here and abroad bared that the poorest among the poor Filipinos now throw caution to the wind and part with their kidneys, eye retina, and other organs in exchange for a measly P20,000 to P50,000.

Worse, this trade is growing and thriving through networks of elusive and unscrupulous agents that represent foreign and local transplant patients. Often, when the deal is carried out, the innocent and unknowing donor is left alone to suffer from side effects and other dire health consequences. After receiving a measly sum for selling his/her organs, the donor not only becomes an economic liability, but a health liability too.

Uninformed donors are victimized

Such a grim reality is what Pampanga Rep. Francis Nepomuceno wants to curb. Nepomuceno cited earlier reports that human kidneys could easily be bought in the depressed areas in Metro Manila and in some provinces.

To prevent uninformed donors from being victimized, the solon suggested that the medical tourism program include a massive educational and information campaign focused on the more vulnerable sectors of society (those suffering from poverty) laying out the health and social ramifications of selling body organs for a fee.

There should also be clearer guidelines and strict regulations governing organ donations. Let’s not make medical tourism an excuse for unbridled trade of body parts at the expense of the poor and uninformed.

Pinoy patients or green bucks?

A group of health care professionals are also voicing their opposition to the promotion of medical tourism, fearing that indigent Filipino patients will be at the losing end.

The Health Alliance for Democracy are lamenting that the existing public health system cannot adequately address the health needs of the masses, and yet the government is already pushing for the commercialization of health services and offering it to wealthy foreigners.

The group claims that the expected influx of foreigners as medical tourism is promoted will affect thousands of indigent Filipinos requiring life-saving surgeries and transplants. Their chances for vital medical services would be further diminished as hospitals give priority to moneyed tourist-patients.

Two years back, the group said some 4,000 patients were awaiting heart surgery at the Philippine Heart Center and almost 200 were waiting for transplants at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. This backlog is not decreasing in numbers and the group fears that in the coming years, impoverished Filipino patients will wilt away in hospitals while paying foreigners are getting all the attention.

Awareness of concerns

The business of tourism offers bright prospects to boost our local economy. And medical tourism is a niche market that might suit us. But it brings along hosts of social issues and concerns. It would be well for proponents and stakeholders of this particular sector to be fully aware of these issues and concerns and take cognizance of them rather than pretend that they are mere obstacles being put up by those who oppose.

Search for the Philippine Poker Champion

The search for the first Philippine Poker Champion, conducted by the Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) in partnership with Philippine STAR, Solar Entertainment and Pagcor, is in full gear now with 37 satellite winners assured of seats for the Main Event scheduled on 8th and 9th April 2006 at the Airport Casino Filipino Paranaque.

The latest winners included four poker players from Cebu City, acknowledged as the center of poker activities in the South. Alfonso "Ponsoy" Canizares, Raymund Garcia, Manuel Regis and Nonoy Tirol are expected to crowd tournament players from Luzon and Metro Manila for the coveted title of Philippine Poker Champion.

More qualifiers from Cebu City are expected to barge into the Main Event as the Rajah Park Hotel hosts the Super Satellite on 17th March 2006 where at least 100 Cebuano poker enthusiasts are expected to compete. The poker tournament is being conducted by the Cebu Players Club for the benefit of the landslide victims of Leyte.

Non-wager satellite tournaments are held weekly in various accredited sites. These are: Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig (Fridays and Saturdays), San Mig Alabang Town Center in Alabang (Wednesdays), Elbow Room at Metro Walk, Pasig (Wednesdays), El Pueblo at Ortigas Center, Pasig (Fridays) and Rajah Park Hotel, Cebu City (Fridays). Soon, selected Casino Filipino sites will hold satellite tournaments, thus providing more poker players with the opportunity to participate in the nationwide search for the Philippine Poker Champion.

One may also play at the Main Event of the Championship by registering online and paying the full tournament fee at Philippine Poker Tour offices. Visit www.PhilippinePokerTour.com <http://www.philippinepokertour.com/> or call the Secretariat (c/o Cindy) at 817-9092 or 812-0153 for more details.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com or at reygamboa@linkedge.biz. If you wish to view the previous columns, you may visit my website at http://bizlinks.linkedge.biz