A retirement and healthcare group along with a German certifying firm will start a program that aims to create a network of trusted healthcare providers in the country to attract foreign retirees.

In a statement, the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) said the program which was done in partnership with TUV Rheinland will develop and install an internationally accepted quality management and accreditation system among healthcare providers that can be marketed internationally with the help of the government.

"We support the efforts of the Department ofTourism and the Philippine Retirement Authority in fully developing the country's retirement industry," said Henry Schumacher, RHC chairman and ECCP vice president for external affairs.  "Still, for the aging population of the world to consider the Philippines, the current state of the healthcare industry must be addressed," he said.

Besides the ECCP, the other core members of the RHC are the Japanese, Korean, and American chambers.

ECCP and RHC have identified 15 hospitals and healthcare centers in Metro Manila, Cebu, Clark, Dumaguete, Subic and Tagaytay as ideal destinations for foreign retirees in the country.

The retirement group noted deficits in the quality of service transparency of operations and prices and inadequate legal basis for mistreatments even on tertiary hospi,tals that claim to operate on world class standards.

Under the program, participants will go through awareness seminars, systems development, and capacity building.

Healthcare providers that will complete the program will receive certifications that are equal to an international standardization adapted to the specific needs in the Philippines. 

"We want to ensure a certain level of safety in the medical treatment of foreign retirees coming to the Philippines.  There should also be a standardized rate on all medical procedures that are being offered," Schumacher said.

At present, 15 percent of the world's population is above 65 years old.  Over the next four years, the aging population will reach over 918 million. Europe has the second biggest aging population in the world after China with over 370 million individuals aged 50 and above.

The ECCP has been pushing the Philippines internationally as an ideal destination for retirees since 2006.

Source: Manila Times; Business; 01 September 2011