2023 Update: The experience gained by Health Tours Thailand this year has been substantial. Both from a business perspective and a human perspective.
On the business side, we continue to search for and partner with the finest Thai healthcare institutions in the country. Maintaining and growing a network of first rate healthcare options for our clients is one of our highest priorities. Quality assurance is a critical function we perform as a business, as there are a large number of healthcare institutions in Thailand and not all of them are reputable. Online reviews can be misleading, and if you are don’t speak Thai or know a facility’s reputation on the local level, it can be challenging to do due diligence. This is where we come in. Health Tours Thailand only adds institutions to our healthcare network that have the highest levels of international accreditation (JCI accreditation); as well as intuitions that we have thoroughly vetted and trust 100%. If a person comes to us for assistance, they can rest assured that any medical or dental referral we give them is reliable, with levels of of care on par or surpassing western standards. In terms of our healthcare network, this year we have made additional agreements with the #1 hospital in Thailand (Bumrungrad International Hospital) and one of the top dental clinics in the country, Bangkok Smile Dental Clinic. We are also in the process of onboarding one of the finest stem cell clinics in the world which is based in Bangkok (updates on this to follow).
But separate to the business side of medical tourism, what I truly love about the work is the ability to help and take care of people when they need it most. Providing the right medical referral or hospital recommendation can make a huge difference to a person’s life. It is incredibly fulfilling to see a person overcome a life-threatening illness or observe someone in significant pain/discomfort get relief!
In that vein, I wanted to highlight a few notable cases of patients we have had this year, and how we have been making a difference:
Overcoming Cancer
– We referred a patient to Bangkok Hospital who was diagnosed with early stage Lymphoma, she underwent chemotherapy there for 6 months & the cancer is now in complete remission, thank God. She lost her hair & some weight, but never her hope. It was incredibly inspiring to see her deal with a life threatening disease with no fear. When she was first diagnosed, her family was stressed out and extremely concerned, now with the cancer in remission their morale has completely reversed. Very beautiful to see, what a difference 6 months can make! A recent PET scan about 1 month ago showed no cancer at all in her system. The medical equipment, staff and doctors at Bangkok Hospital are truly world class. Their ability to treat cancer is second to none.
Emergency Plastic Surgery
– Multiple travelers from Israel who were visiting Thailand & India on vacation had accidents that required emergency care. One patient required urgent plastic surgery on her face due to injuries sustained in a car accident in the southern islands of Thailand. Given the delicate nature of facial reconstruction, she wanted to see the best surgeon available within the same day of her accident. We referred her to a trusted surgeon at the top hospital in Thailand, Bumrungrad International. We coordinated with Bumrungrad to make sure the doctor and hospital staff had all the details of her case and would be ready to receive her upon her arrival. The patient flew into Bangkok after hours and was taken directly from the airport to the hospital’s emergency room. She underwent successful surgery and has fully recovered.
Misdiagnosed Stomach Problem Resolved
– A patient of ours who was suffering from terrible stomach issues & bowel disorder (diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss) could not find a good English speaking doctor where he lived (outside of Bangkok). After going to hospitals in his area without improving, he came at our recommendation to one of the hospitals in our network in Bangkok (Vichaiyut Hospital). The gastroenterologist at Vichaiyut, reviewed his current regimen of medication and his symptoms, ran some tests and prescribed him new medication for treatment. During the ensuing weeks, the patient informed me that the new medication he was taking completely solved his stomach issues. It turned out he was suffering from a intestinal parasitic infection that previously was not considered. He was extremely grateful for connecting him with a doctor that was able to speedily resolve his issue.
Thumb Surgery On Pianist
– An elderly expat living in Bangkok who is an avid piano player had a large unseemly growth on his thumb. He knew that he likely needed the growth removed, but due to fears of losing the ability to play the piano post surgery he postponed dealing with it. As it continued to grow, his concerned boiled over and he finally reached out to us to help him. His budget was limited and he could not afford to pay top dollar for treatment at one of the leading international hospitals. He also could not speak Thai and needed somebody to assist him completely. He tasked Health Tours Thailand to find him a good private hospital just below the top tier level, with a reputable English speaking doctor. We reviewed our network of medical providers and were able to find him the right hospital for his needs. After arranging him an appointment, we took him to his consultation and a biopsy on the growth on his thumb was conducted. Thankfully the growth was not cancerous, but it still needed removal. The patient’s concerns about losing the ability to play the piano after the procedure were heightened after tests showed that the growth was on top of a critical nerve. The surgeon who had decades of experience and had been educated in New York at a top medical school, was able to assuage all his fears; the chances of failure were minimal. The following week the patient underwent surgery to remove the growth and has since fully recovered. He continues to enjoy much of his days playing the piano with no restriction.
These are just a handful of the cases we have had during 2023, so far it has been a great year. We have been fortunate to be involved with many people that have successfully dealt with their medical issues. It is truly an honor to guide people and help them get healed.
– Derek Halpern, Health Tours Thailand Founder