Health tourism council set up to 'turn Lebanon into the hospital of the East'
The new body aims at tapping into the region's lucrative healthcare market and competing with other regional providers. Health and wellness tourism, an innovative niche market in Lebanon's tourist industry, is about to move out of the specialty market and become an important asset to the Lebanese economy with the establishment of the Lebanese Council for National Health Tourism.    

While the international travel and tourism industry continues to be hit by war, terrorism and economic weakness, a growing awareness of tourism's capacity to promote health tourism has fueled investment in this area. With this ambition, the Lebanese Council for National Health Tourism has invested over $500,000 in the brand new industry with the aim of getting travel-related commerce back on course and turning Lebanon into the biggest hospitalization sector in the region, which will have a direct and positive impact on the country's economy.

According to Mr. Khalil Malaeb, General Manager of K & M International, who is entrusted to promote this new sector, health care and hospitalization services are well developed in the country and are an integral part of Lebanese culture. Lebanon has over 130 years of excellent medical experience. So far, the council has managed, through teamwork with various health ministries and related sectors, to create concrete relationships with seven Arab Countries, including Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Kuwait. Although health tourism has been a large and even lucrative industry in other countries in the region, Malaeb believes that Lebanon has as much, if not more, medical experience to offer and can be competitive. 

Health tourism has endless opportunities and benefits, and it ties extremely well into Lebanon's reputation as a rejuvenating place and a healthy state. Lebanon is returning to its roots, as is demonstrated by the promotion campaign of a 19th century photograph that shows Lebanon's medical experience dates back to the early 1800s.

"With only one month since its launch, we have already attracted some 50 clients from the Arab World," Malaeb said. With the anticipation of eventually covering all 22 Arab countries, the council is aiming to train all parties involved, enabling them to become acquainted with the existence of this sector and the market, and provide detailed, accurate information to clients.

"The key in creating this industry and succeeding in it depends completely on Lebanon's excellent doctors and their experience as well as Lebanese universities, which have the highest standard of medical education," Malaeb added.

Medical assistance includes pediatrics, psychiatry, surgery, orthopedics, the ophthalmology program, the ENT program, obstetrics, gynecology and other areas. The council also offers an executive check-up program designed to meet the individual needs of each patient and address health issues, make recommendations for any further testing or follow up and counseling about personal health habits. A schedule of tests and consultations is prepared based on information patients provide before the visit. The executive check-up program takes one to two days.

"The patient has to come a few days in advance for his check-up and stay for a certain time even after medical assistance." According to the statistics of the council, Lebanon has 10,500 doctors who have completed their specializations in European, North American and Lebanese universities, 48 medical societies, 161 hospitals, 48 hospitals with international accreditation, 144 medium and short stay hospitals, 17 hospitals for long term stays and seven university hospitals.

The importance of this council lies in the fact that it provides the patients who come to Lebanon with all facilities and services from the moment they leave their country to the moment of their return. Pre¬planned, tailor made packages are prepared to make patients and that families accompanying them, feel at home and to let them get the most out of their "healthy visit".

Source : www.mea.com.lb

Lebanon to promote itself as regional hub for healthcare related tourism in Middle East
Search ASIA Travel Tips .com
11 February 2004
Leading tourism companies in Lebanon have recently announced a strategic campaign to promote Lebanon as the regional hub for healthcare related tourism in the Middle East. This initiative, endorsed by the National Council of Health tourism and the Lebanese government is aimed at boosting the country's economy by driving healthcare tourism traffic to the country.

Dr Wissam Aiysa, advisor to the Ministry of Health, Lebanon, commented that the country's ideal location at the crossroads of the Middle East and Europe, natural scenic beauty and availability of advanced medical facilities have contributed to popularising Lebanon as a quality healthcare and recuperation holiday destination.

At a press conference held today in Dubai, K & M International Health Tourism and Alpha Tours Dubai, renowned tour operators based in Dubai, announced ambitious plans to position Lebanon as a healthcare destination to residents of the UAE by introducing specialised holiday packages.

Commenting on Lebanon's health infrastructure, Dr. Aiysa stated that Lebanon currently has 161 hospitals and seven University hospitals. The country has an impressive array of medical departments and specialties including special exploration areas in electrocardiography, electrophysiology, interventional cardiology and non-interventional cardiology.

"Lebanon has a highly developed healthcare industry. Well-equipped hospitals, qualified medical personnel and the constant updating of medical technology and facilities have contributed to the country's growing recognition as a centre for medical treatment. We, at K&M International Health Tourism, would like to recommend Lebanon as an alternative healthcare destination to UAE residents. As specialists in tailor-made holiday packages, we are advising people to combine their healthcare requirements with a holiday in Lebanon," said Khalil Malaeb, General Manager, K&M International Health Tourism.

"In Lebanon, tourists can enjoy the rich history and culture of the place as well as be assured that the healthcare they are primarily visiting the country for is of the highest quality and standards. The country has 10,500 doctors, 85 per cent of which are specialised. Approximately 37 per cent of the doctors in Lebanon have graduated and specialised in European Universities and 11 per cent graduated and specialised in North American universities. The country also boasts 48 medical societies and 48 hospitals with international accreditation," Mr Malaeb added.

Lebanon is also currently the only country in the region to offer the Gastric Band Pacemaker, a new medical procedure, promoted by K&M International, that assists patients who need help losing weight and reducing their food intake. The device, fitted on the patient's abdomen, shrinks the stomach so that it does not require as much food and the patient will not feel so hungry. The procedure has been tried and tested in Lebanon and is now being carried out by specialised doctors in the country. This revolutionary procedure enhances the image of Lebanon as a new destination for medical excellence. The Gastric Band Pacemaker procedure will be available at specified health centres and hospitals.

"Lebanon lends itself as a prime location for medical treatment, recuperation and rehabilitation. Alpha Tours Dubai has partnered with K&M International to co-organise holidays in Lebanon for those travelling for healthcare reasons. We are organising tours and sightseeing trips for customers who book with K&M International to ensure that those visiting Lebanon experience the rich landscape, its cultural heritage and the pleasant year-round weather," said Mr Ghassan Aridi, Managing Director of Alpha Tours Dubai.

"We are working in conjunction with K&M International to organise tour packages for customers in the UAE. The packages will be designed to offer tourists relaxing, healthy holidays that incorporate as much or as little sightseeing as each individual wants. The key to this partnership is that every holiday is tailor-made to suit each individual, bearing in mind the amount of medical attention that the individual will be undertaking, " said Aridi.

Source : www.asiatraveltips.com