By Fathima Riznaz Hafi
Adding to its host of accolades, Lanka Hospitals has received international medical tourism accreditation from US-based Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA). It is the first hospital in the country to receive this accreditation, which was the outcome of a month-long evaluation process that entailed in-depth interviews and a formal review of its operations, measured against international standards of quality in 10 non-clinical areas that directly influence a medical traveller’s well-being.
MTQUA President Julie Munro presented the certificate to Lanka Hospitals Chairman Dr. Sarath Paranavitane on Monday (5) in the presence of MTQUA Senior Advisor Finance and Governance Janet Geddes, Lanka Hospitals’ senior management, staff and the media.
Welcoming Lanka Hospitals to the MTQUA family Munro said, “The medical travel certification that we have just awarded is for all the non-political aspects of care that the patient encounters when they come to a hospital for treatment. When we look at what affects a patient we review your marketing, website, communication (how you communicate with your patients), sensitivity towards cultural and religious issues and how you present the comforts for the patient (such as television, etc).”
Commending the team on their unity and hard work which contributed greatly to this accomplishment, she said, “The important thing for us is – we look at the care management, the teamwork that goes into care for the patient; the commitment of your leadership in making sure that your team gets what it needs in order to give the patient the wonderful care and treatment that they need. This is what this medical travel certification demonstrates to you – it’s not just for medical travellers; it’s not just for international patients – but it’s a reward for you – it’s a demonstration and appreciation to you as a team – all of you working together to make sure that the patient gets the best care possible.” Expressing pride in his team’s commitment Lanka Hospitals Chairman Dr. Sarath Paranavitane said, “Year 2016 has been a rewarding year and we should be proud of our achievement. This hasn’t happened overnight. It was achieved through hard work and team work. I thank each and everyone of you who helped make this possible.”
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce Sri Lanka had named 2015-2020 as the period of the National Masterplan Initiative on medical tourism. The initiative which was set by the Export Development Board with an ultimatum to achieve $ 20 billion through professional service exports within this time frame highlights medical tourism as a main subsector and Lanka Hospitals aligns progressively into the initiative through its excellence in service delivery to patients from around the world.
Fortis Hospital India, Gleneagles Hospital Singapore and Bumrungrad Hospital Thailand are among the international hospitals who have achieved the MTQUA certification and now Lanka Hospitals joins them.
Sri Lanka Travel Feneteko