JEDDAH, 3 August 2006 — New health care opportunities for Saudi families vacationing abroad were highlighted at a meeting held here recently. The meeting, organized by Batterjee Holding Company at the Jeddah Marriott, focused on how Saudi vacationers in India and Thailand could benefit from their highly specialized medical facilities. On offer is a four-day health tourism package that covers health care check-ups and even specialized treatments like cosmetic surgery, weight management and laser skin resurfacing.
Also available in the two countries are serious medical procedures including heart and kidney transplants, and hip and knee surgeries in highly sophisticated hospitals at one-eighth the cost incurred in the United States or the UK. Health spas in these countries offer recuperation, rest and relaxation facilities.
BHC Vice President Mazen M. Batterjee welcomed the participants that consisted of top executives of hospitals, Indian and Thai consuls, and professionals in medical, travel and insurance sectors. C.J. Shahjahan, director business development, in his presentation on “Medical tourism - New health care opportunities in India and Thailand” outlined the benefits of medical tourism and highlighted the high-class skills and facilities available in India and Thailand.
He said that BHC had signed agreements with Madras Medical Mission in Madras, Phyathai Hospitals and Bangkok Hospitals in Thailand, and Wockhardt Hospital, N.M Medical Center and Saifee Hospitals in Bombay. “These health care facilities offer first world medical treatment at third world prices,” he said, adding that in addition to individuals, insurance companies and the rest of the corporate sector can also benefit from such cost-savers.
