Workshop on Healthcare for Tourists organized

Nepal Tourism Board and Health Concern jointly organized a half day workshop on on Healthcare for Tourists in Nepal – a doorstep to medical tourism in Nepal on August 26, 2013. The main objective of the workshop was to discuss the medical problem faced by the tourists while visiting Nepal, and to explore the avenue for medical tourism in Nepal. Addressing the workshop, Officiating Chief Executive Officer of Nepal Tourism Board Mr. Subash Nirola said that healthcare for tourists is the pertinent issue that has to be looked into because we have to assure the tourists that they would get good medical care if they get sick. Mr. Purna Chandra Bhattarai, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, in his remarks, said that the ministry is ready to cooperate in whatever possible way to facilitate tourism. In his presentation, Mr. Subash Pyakurel, CEO of Health Concern, said that Nepal would be in win-win situation if Nepal could promote healthcare system for tourists. He further said many tourists visiting Nepal didn’t know that Nepal could give quality medical service to the patients and it was necessary to promote this aspect of medical facilities to the tourists. “ It is imperative for all stakeholders to have a discussion on it and prepare a roster of doctors with all details for the use of the tourists,” he said. Eminent gynecologist Dr. Bhola Risal expressed his happiness over the workshop and said that Nepal should expose its quality medical service to the tourist. Dr. Rishi Kumar Kafle, an eminent nephrologist was of opinion that foreign tourists would seek the medical service in Nepal if it assured quality service. Dr. Anjani Kumar Jha, Chairperson of Nepal Medical Association informed that it was compiling the list of doctors in Nepal and said that if Nepal provides the right atmosphere, foreign trained Nepali doctors would come to Nepal. Mr. Shanta Subba, Chairperson of Himalayan Rescue Association, Mr. Achut Guragain, General Secretary, Nepal Association of Tour and Travel Agents and Mr. Ghanashyam Shrestha, Executive Member of Hotel Association Nepal raised the issue of proper medical facilities to the tourists. Mr. Radha Krishna Pradhan, Program Director, National Planning Commission assured full support to move this idea and promised to coordinate it from there to enhance this idea. Dr. Rojen Sundar Shrestha, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Health and Population said that it was timely and the ministry would support it. Mr. Sarad Pradhan, Media Consultant of Nepal Tourism Board, wrapped up the workshop with a note that Nepal Tourism Board would support this initiative of Health Concern by providing all kind of supports it needed to facilitate the tourists while staying in Nepal. source: NTB