Medical Tourism a Distant Vision

During the latest International Cooperation and Development press tour to the Republic of China (Taiwan), journalists were taken to the E-Da Hospital in country’s southern city, Kaohsiung. The hospital is one of three in the E-Da Healthcare Group and specialises in medical tourism. During our briefing, this term went over our heads. But then we were ushered into a glorious, sparkling lobby with golden coloured accents from floor to ceiling, and even on the grand piano that dominated the area.

Our tour guide explained to our group of ten that the hospital is meant to resemble a five-star hotel—medical tourism in the literal sense. We were reminded that patients should always be made comfortable. Paintings by multi-talented doctors and patients decorate walls, as do the hospital’s framed achievements and accreditations. Our second surprise was when the educational division arranged for us to meet students being trained by the E-Da Healthcare Group. I met Ms Meghan Mangal and Mr Trevern Cooper from Saint Lucia, both studying family medicine. Cooper offered some insight on E-Da’s medical achievements:

STAR: Tell us about learning in Taiwan.

Trevern: It has been challenging, given the amount of work that is taught within the first two years. Even though the programme is in English, you find that learning Mandarin is still important. It is a Mandarin-speaking country, after all. In the practical field, you find that you learn more from personal interactions with your patients where the language becomes vital. My experience thus far has been like a rollercoaster ride: it has its challenges, successes and lessons. As a medical student I’ve learned to find a balance with every experience. It’s sort of what I expected med school to be in terms of workload, but this is a  developing programme; there is room for improvements.

STAR: Why did you choose medicine?

Trevern: Medicine has always been a childhood dream. I have always been intrigued and fascinated by the knowledge and skill it takes for someone to be able to study and understand how the body works and to be able to save lives. I also wanted to be a pioneer in my family and community where I can actively demonstrate that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

STAR: What do you think makes the difference between healthcare at home and in Taiwan?

Trevern: In Taiwan there is a more stable health insurance and policy system for which persons can reach certain requirements that subsidize the cost burden and make it even, so that certain essential health services are free. Comparing it to Saint Lucia’s universal healthcare system, most persons still have to bear a great deal of the cost burden. 

Another huge disability which I have observed is with data collection and storage. The medical data system is digital here in Taiwan, where patient data is entered directly into the computer system. It makes it easier for healthcare professionals to access important information about patients and to map out disease prevalence, among others. It makes the workload more efficient in terms of diagnostic, treatment and referral aspects.

This issue has been addressed as a plan for the health system in Saint Lucia. Most patients’ data are stored on hard copy files and it’s an immense burden when it comes to analysing data. Taiwan, by far, has more state of the art equipment, facilities and specialists to manage the health system. I haven’t observed any procedure that cannot be done here or in which persons have to be transferred to other countries, as compared to back home.

STAR: Where would you suggest we begin in Saint Lucia?

Trevern: It’s difficult to state an aspect that can be immediately adopted because Taiwan’s healthcare itself did not develop in a short space of time; it was an evolving process. However, I would like for us to integrate the patient data system to make healthcare more manageable in Saint Lucia.

STAR: Taiwan has this culture of attending to the children and elderly first, even in healthcare. What do you think about this?

Trevern: I think it’s great idea to prioritize the children and elderly, considering they are the most vulnerable groups in any society. I strongly believe they are the ones that define how effective a healthcare system is. As the saying rightly goes: “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” Running with such a mandate secures and solidifies the future and it’s our responsibility to care for both our children and elderly.