Medical & Aesthetics

When it comes to health and wellness, there is no settling for second best. Healthcare services in Singapore have been internationally accredited, and Singapore recently received the Best Medical/Wellness Tourism Destination award at the inaugural TravelWeekly (Asia) Industry Awards 2007.   

At the same time, leading biomedical research and technology companies, such as Johns Hopkins and The West Clinic, have set up manufacturing and research bases. These have contributed to Singapore’s growing status as a leading medical hub and enhanced Singapore's integrated network of healthcare institutions.  The mix of excellent healthcare infrastructure, skilled medical professionals and cutting-edge medical technology has sealed Singapore’s status as a medical hub in Asia. This is further compounded by the entrance of medical professionals into Singapore for conferences, training, research and clinical trials.

The Medical System

Governed by the Ministry of Health, Singapore’s healthcare system is founded upon the principle of transparency where vital information such as infection control statistics is immediately shared with all medical professionals. This ensures a fast and effective response to critical scenarios that may shift anytime.

Throughout an illustrious medical history, Singapore has forged many firsts on the world healthcare stage. Some landmark events include the world's first embryo baby born in Singapore in 1987. The year 2004 saw Singapore successfully completing a revolutionary ‘tooth-in-eye’ surgical procedure (first of its kind in Southeast Asia) that enabled a blind child to regain sight. Many will also remember the conjoined twins Ganga and Jamuna’s record 90-hour separating operation in 2001.

This exemplary track record makes even more sense when one takes into account the accredited standing of Singapore’s medical scene. In 2000, the World Health Organization ranked Singapore's healthcare system as the best within Asia and sixth in the world. In 2003, the Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) also recognised Singapore's healthcare system as the country best prepared to deal with a major medical crisis in Asia.

Medical Tourism

More than 400,000 international patients from various countries worldwide visit Singapore annually for quality and affordable health care services. The assurance of a world-class healthcare system - in Singapore’s internationally-accredited healthcare facilities, skilled medical expertise and competitive prices - is what draws them in for both basic and complex treatment.

As one of the world's leading medical travel destinations, the Singapore healthcare system has solid infrastructure. Government healthcare services include the following hospitals: KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital is renowned for its world-class standards in gynaecology, neonatal and paediatric care; Tan Tock Seng Hospital specialises in the management of communicable diseases and rehabilitation medicine; Singapore General Hospital houses specialist heart and eye centres under its roof; and National University Hospital’s strong records in oncology, gastroenterology and orthopaedic services are reputable. At private hospitals like Gleneagles, Mount Elizabeth and Raffles, or private clinics like Camden Medical Centre, medical travelers will also find very high levels of treatment and service quality.

From basic screening to complex surgery, Singapore's well-trained medical staff delivers in various medical disciplines. Little wonder then that patients trust medical doctors in Singapore for surgeries related to the eyes, heart and brain or in cancer-related illnesses. Most healthcare facilities here also provide International Patient Service Centres that are dedicated to fulfilling the all-rounded needs of foreign patients and their traveling companions. These one-stop centres assist in travel and visa arrangements, transportation, accommodation, admission and interpreter services, the fixing of medical appointments, arranging follow-up services, and even planning sightseeing arrangements.

Medical Aesthetics

Maintaining one’s well-being - and increasingly, a youthful countenance as well - is a top priority for the international medical visitor. While it is impossible to be physically young forever, medical aesthetics offers technologically-advanced procedures to help patients look and feel great.
 
Increasingly, Singapore is also attracting medical visitors who wish to improve their looks. In fact, medical aesthetics procedures such as lasik treatment and cosmetic surgery are gaining prominence here and attracting more foreign patients due to the high quality of treatment and safety standards.

Complementary Medicine And Health

Complementary wellness therapies show great potential as an alternative in the treatment of health woes. Besides treatment targeted at illnesses, these alternative treatments also help patients to maintain optimal health.  

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is extremely popular in Singapore. TCM focuses on holistic health management and offers a wide range of therapies to regulate energy flow and promote internal harmony. They include herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage and other traditional treatment.

In keeping with TCM’s increasingly significant role in the local healthcare industry, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Act was passed in 2000 so practitioners would keep to ethical codes and provide professional service.