Hospital accreditation seen to boost tourism in Cebu

• By Aileen Garcia-Ya
• The international accreditation of a local hospital would definitely put Cebu in the global map of the best medical destinations, according to Department of Health medical tourism program manager Dr. Anthony Calibo.
  
  Calibo spoke yesterday during a press conference at Chong Hua Hospital to announce the hospital's accreditation from the Joint Commission International.
  
  It is the first Cebu-based hospital to be accredited for global standards in patient safety and care.
  
  Calibo said the Philippines has all the requirements to be the next best destination for medical tourism.
  
  “We have many experts so manpower is not a problem. In terms of communication skills, Filipinos are very fluent English speakers, not to mention the natural tender loving care that is nown to be a Filipino trait,” he said.
  
  Calibo said the country has it's own stable and natural local market and does not rely so much on foreign patients.
  
  A promising market segment for medical tourism is the retirement sector.
  
  Calibo said this requires a good combination of leisure and high standard medical facilities for a prospective retirement place.
  
  “Cebu is very lucky to have both now. It’s known for its tourism industry and now an internationally accredited hospital,” he said.
  
  He said Filipnos who are naturalized Americans and return to the country to retire represent a potential market for medical tourism industry.