Increasingly, Nepalis in need of medical treatment are going not to India, but to Thailand, combining check-ups or surgery with tourism and shopping. Nepali Times spoke to Ruben Toral, director of international programs at Bumrungrad Medical Center in Bangkok

Nepali Times: How do your services and prices for Nepalis compare with treatment in India?
Ruben Toral: For most Nepalis seeking medical treatment overseas, India has traditionally been the destination of choice based largely on price and proximity. Based on my experience and talking to patients who know both systems, I believe that we offer a better package than India when comparing price, service, quality and facility. In general, we will be 10 percent more expensive than an Indian hospital like Apollo or Escorts, but our service standards and facilities are far superior. I am often told by patients from Nepal and South Asia that our hospital runs very efficiently and the service standards are excellent. That, I believe, is well worth the 10 percent premium, especially when your comfort and care are concerned.

What do Nepalis come here for mainly?
By and large, Nepalis are coming for speciality care, cardiology in particular. That said, we see a lot of patients coming for comprehensive health screenings and other out-patient services. I think that the Nepalis like the fact that this is a one-stop centre, and that we can provide outpatient, diagnostics, and inpatient care all under one roof. It is very time efficient.

Can Asian medical standards challenge western medical facilities?
That depends on the medical institution and the country. Bumrungrad, for example, is the first and only hospital in Asia that is accredited by the JCIA?a US-based hospital accreditation organisation?that measures our capabilities based on criteria used for US hospitals. Here, you will find American management, US- and UK-trained and board-certified physicians, a top to bottom quality control program, advanced equipment, and a five-star facility. I think that Bumrungrad operates at levels that challenge western medical facilities, and that medical standards in Asia, on the whole, are improving.

Does South Asia provide a large enough market for you to think of venturing here? What is the market in Nepal like?
South Asia is a very large and important market for us in terms of patients seen and treated. As far as ventures are concerned, we are quite active regionally developing medical exchange programs, but much less focused on building or co-venturing on building satellite facilities. We have medical programs active in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. As for Nepal, we are currently working with the National Heart Center (SGNHC) to further develop their capabilities in invasive cardiology. In fact, a team from SGNHC is training with us right now.

How much potential does medical tourism have in Thailand?
A lot. As millions of tourists are coming to Thailand each year, they are becoming more aware of what the country has to offer. One of the things they are noticing is the very high standard of medicine and service available at Bumrungrad Hospital, and how reasonable the costs are when compared to medical treatment in their own countries. Last year, we treated 217,000 international patients coming from over 150 different countries in all specialities of medicine ranging from laser eye surgery to open heart surgery to check ups. What people recognise is value, and if they can travel here for eye laser surgery and get a seven-day holiday for the cost of treatment alone in their home country, then that is an attractive offer.

But why should, for instance, an oil sheik choose to come to Bumrungrad, rather than go to the United States?
While our hospital offers all the amenities and medical services that an oil sheik would want, the fact is our business is not focused on wooing the super rich. On the contrary, we are much more focused on serving patients looking for an alternative to medical treatment in their home country. Patients from the US and Europe come to Bumrungrad, because we can provide medical services at a fraction of what they would spend at home. Patients from southeast Asia and South Asia choose Bumrungrad because we deliver speciality medicine at prices that are 50 percent cheaper than Singapore. Patients from the Middle East come because of the speed and service.

Where do your other major clients come from and what is the most sought-after service?
Our top five nationalities are: American, Japanese, British, Chinese and Bangladeshi. Because this group is so diverse, it is difficult to give one procedure or speciality that patients are coming for. On the whole, Bumrungrad is a centre for speciality medicine?cardiology, cancer, neurosurgery, neonatology?and is recognised as a regional referral centre for trauma and complex cases. But we are also the family doctor for tens of thousands of families, who have come to trust us to provide high quality care for their everyday medical needs.