Hospital offers stem cell technology
Rita Villadiego, May 16, 2007
NEW YORK — The Medical City health care complex in the Philippines has announced it is using adult stem cells on patients suffering from heart problems, kidney and neuro-system diseases.
“We have over 60 patients now being cured with adult stem cells injection,” Dr. Alfredo Bengzon, president and CEO of The Medical City, told a gathering here last week.
He cited the case of a 34-year old man who had a flabby heart. TMC harvested adult stem cells and applied them to the patient whose health showed considerable progress after the procedure.
“We have cutting-edge techniques and technologies that involve the engineering of living cells, tissues, and organs for the purpose of preserving, restoring, replacing or enhancing organ function. We want to pitch a message that there are options available to patients,” said Bengzon, who trained in Germany, Wisconsin University and in Maryland as a neurologist. He was Philippine secretary of health in 1986 to 1990.
“Health care system in the U.S. is in crises and going bankrupt; the value is diminishing. We offer lower costs and more humane treatment,” said Bengzon further.
There’s a big market for medical tourism in Asia as more foreign patients from Europe and the U.S. are traveling halfway across the globe to save on medical costs. They also get to enjoy a tranquil blue beach, among other perks, while recovering from a medical procedure.
The waiting time for a knee surgery appointment, for example, could take many months in the U.S. In Manila, it takes a few days to be scheduled for hip replacement and other surgeries, said Bengzon.
Bengzon said costs for a heart bypass surgery, knee replacement and other procedures in TMC are more than 80 percent lower than in the U.S.
It means, a heart bypass costs around $70,000 in the U.S., but can cost about $10,000 to $12,000 at TMC. A knee replacement in India or Manila costs $5,000 , lower than the U.S. cost of over $10,000.
However, there is no liability law in the Philippines and many Asian countries, said Bengzon. There are few cases of medical malpractice suits among hospitals. Medical tourists go to high-tech hospitals such as The Medical City and St. Luke Hospital in Manila, both internationally accredited, and which employ committed and highly professional health experts.
“Our doctors and patients enjoy a warm and trusting relationship,” said Bengzon. “Medical City has received one of the highest international accreditation of 97.9 percent. It got a perfect score on patient care, quality and safety.”
Six to ten percent of patients in high-tech hospitals in Manila are foreign-born.
“I found the facilities marvelous, the procedure is painless and the staff are highly professionals,” said Ronnie Rogoff, a European music artist who had a heart surgery at Medical City.
TMC is also known for its neuroscience program that includes “awake craniotomy,” surgery, diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of neurological conditions, cardiovascular, cancer program, orthopaedics, and aesthetic packages or plastic surgeries for beauty and wellness.
Physicians are the largest block of owners of TMC which is located in Ortigas, Metro Manila. It’s a self-contained, 15-story hospital with heliport, boutiques, restaurants and a Starbucks coffee shop, and feels like a hotel.
TMC has partnered with Stanford University and Cleveland Clinic where teleconferences on health consultations are occasionally held.
“TMC has a renewed commitment towards providing superior healthcare to patients,” said Bengzon.
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