The medical tourism industry in the Philippines has grown at a remarkable rate in recent years, with more hospitals being established outside the country’s capital, particularly in central provinces such as Luzon and Davao. Americans facing increasingly rising costs for medical treatments are some of the Philippines’ most important customers, while those traveling from Europe also make up a decent percentage of medical customers here.

Among the most popular treatments are cosmetic and plastic surgery, weight loss surgery and dental procedures. In addition, more serious operations such as artery bypass surgery and kidney transplant are slowly drawing more visitors. State of the art facilities, highly trained medical staff and the unique Filipino hospitality are among the most enticing reasons to make a medical trip to this Asian paradise.

It is primarily the low cost of high level service that sees Europeans and Americans disregard the medical offerings in their home countries. By coming to the Philippines for surgery, they are also faced with the opportunity not only to have procedures carried out at a saving, but also to holiday in an exotic location. Spa resorts, pristine beaches and excellent tour infrastructure mean medical tourists can take advantage of the Philippines’ rapidly developing tourism industry.

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All in all, medical tourism in the Philippines, specifically Cebu, has several advantages to the medical tourist. So, come to the wellness island of Cebu and look good, feel good, and have a good time!

The Procedure: Find out about the procedure and compare your expectations with what is achievable by the surgery. Also inquire about follow-up care needed, time required for recovery, physical therapy, etc.

The Hospital: When selecting the hospital that is right for your needs, you should consider the hospital’s accreditation, awards and recognitions, facility and equipments, statistics like success rates, etc.

The Surgeon: Check the certifications, training and repute of the surgeon who will be treating you.

The Destination Country: You should base your selection on quality, distance and cost.

Always work with your local doctor and inform him about your decision to travel overseas for treatment. You may need his assistance prior to the surgery for furnishing the health records required by the international hospital and post surgery for any follow-up checks that may be required.

Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry in the Philippines, with prominent hospitals in metropolitan Manila like St. Luke’s Medical Center, Asian Hospital, Medical City, Makati Medical Center, Capitol Medical Center, Lung Center, Philippine Heart Center, National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children’s Medical Center and East Avenue Medical Center affiliated with the program.

Along with such rapid growth comes a need for skilled nurses. Health Undersecretary del Mundo indicated that “there will be no discrimination” in the hiring of nurses to serve the bustling growth in the medical tourism industry. He also said that top government hospitals in the provinces — particularly in the Central Luzon, Baguio, Cebu, Iloilo and Davao provinces — will soon be joining the medical tourism program as well.

Hospitals operated by the Filipino government plan to provide proper training for all new nurses. These hospitals are attractive to foreign patients because of lower costs on surgical procedures, in addition to being located near popular tourist locations in the Philippines.

For example, hospitals in Bicol, Cebu and Davao have been offering surgical procedures such as the coronary artery bypass graft at a cost of only $10,000, about half of the typical cost in countries outside the Philippines. A more extreme example would be a kidney transplant, which is available in Davao and Cebu hospitals at a cost of $60,000. This same procedure could cost $140,000 in other countries.

With health care costs in the U.S. rising every year at a rapid rate, more and more Americans are looking to countries like the Philippines to have medical services performed. In 2004, total national health expenditures rose 7.9 percent, which was over three times the rate of inflation. Total health care spending reached $1.9 trillion in 2004 — or $6,280 per person — and represented 16 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of the United States.

The Philippines has been growing as a tourist destination of choice for health and vacation because of our world class physicians, modern technology, and our uniquely Filipino brand of caring and compassion at great values for money at a fraction of the cost in developed countries. We are home to some of the best hospitals and stand alone Specialty clinics in the world, offering world-class expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and the distinct warmth of the Filipino hospitality. We also have some of the world’s best spa retreat resorts and tour destinations in this part of the earth.

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This will give you a good start on Melbourne holidays.

From here you can go on exploring the arts, shopping, sports or music events and precincts that Melbourne is famous for - or go on a Melbourne tour to the many surrounding attractions.