29 September 2016— “The Philippines is globally positioning itself as the heart of Asia, combining modern technology with Philippine culture and tradition, highlighting the warmth of the Filipino people. We offer a brand of service that is distinctly Filipino,” said Minister Patrick A. Chuasoto, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C as he welcomed around 40 delegates and participants of the 2016 World Medical Tourism and Global Healthcare Congress (WMTC) gathered on September 27 at the Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy for a briefing on the Philippine Medical Tourism Program.

The visit was part of the WMTC’s Embassy Tours.

Ms. Cynthia C. Lazo, Director for Medical Travel and Wellness Tourism of the Department of Tourism, made a brief presentation on the key aspects of the Philippine medical tourism program, including the Philippine advantages of modern facilities, facility in the English language, good infrastructure, proximity to most of Asia’s major cities, and the ability of a caring local community to help in total healing in body, mind and spirit.

Director Lazo’s presentation was followed by a personal testimonial from an American who works with the Philippines, and is actively facilitating medical tourism.

“It is time to put the Philippines on the map of medical tourism. It has some of the best medical facilities in the world with top rated doctors. I avail of general health screening in the country regularly,” said Mr. Seidric Tapscott, Founder of Tapscott Health, who delivered a brief testimonial on Philippine medical tourism.

Mr. Omar Shalabi, a speaker at the WMTC and from Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare Company, also expressed his appreciation for the expertise and work ethic of Filipino nurses and other allied professionals.

The Embassy Tour includes pre-selected government officials, doctors, corporate executives, travel agents, and investors. In order to completely showcase the country’s culture, tourism, business development and medical tourism.

The briefing was organized with the support of the Philippine Departments of Tourism, Health and Trade, and the Philippine Tourism Office in New York. Representatives from major hospitals in the Philippines and medical tourism facilitators were also present. END