6-Jun-2016

Becomes country’s first internationally certified hospital for medical tourists through Medical Travel Quality Alliance.

Colombo: The multi award winning Lanka Hospitals has become Sri Lanka's first health care provider to achieve international medical tourism certification from the US-based Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA).

Another prestigious addition to its host of international and local quality awards, MTQUA reinforces the service excellence and utmost patient care endorsed to Lanka Hospitals by the Joint Commission International Association (JCIA) of USA.

Lanka Hospitals has undergone an intensive evaluation for several months that included in-depth interviews and a formal review of its operations, processes and procedures against international standards of quality in 10 non-clinical areas that directly influence a medical traveler's wellbeing and outcomes. Hospitals, clinics and agencies in more than 20 countries are certified by MTQUA. Fortis Hospital India, Gleneagles Hospital Singapore and Bumrungrad Hospital Thailand are some of the best known international hospitals to have achieved the MTQUA certification.

 “We have been most impressed with Lanka Hospitals' medical and support teams during the certification process,” said Julie Munro, president of MTQUA, in awarding medical tourism certification for the hospital. “It is ready to take leadership in helping move forward Sri Lanka's medical tourism sector.” She added.

The MTQUA evaluation team reviewed how the hospital manages a medical tourist through the inquiry process, intake and treatment, and care management after discharge. It reported on the hospital's website and internet marketing, communications procedures, privacy and security measures, multicultural sensitivity, International Patient Services department, care support services and certain operations and business procedures that influence the quality of treatment and care a medical tourist receives.

“Sri Lanka being a tourist destination has now embarked on a journey in attracting tourism to earn foreign revenue. Lanka Hospitals is fulfilling all international standards because we want to place the hospital and country among the top medical tourism providers.” Said Dr. Sarath Paranavitane, Chairman of Lanka Hospitals PLC.

“Medical tourists are not ordinary patients, and they are not typical tourists,” added Ms. Munro. “When they are in a strange land, away from family and community, they need to know they will get an international standard of care at the destination.” Said Munro.

Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA), an independent international organization founded in 2009 to promote the special safety and quality needs in treatment and care of medical tourists, publishes the Top 10 World’s Best Hospitals For Medical Tourists™ and Best Practices in Medical Tourism. Medical tourism certification from MTQUA is the only global certification program for hospitals, clinics, agencies, and related services and providers.

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Lanka Hospitals PLC, since 2002, has been at the forefront in advancing Sri Lanka's health care services and is considered one of the best facilities in the world It is accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCIA). Spread over 350,000 square feet with 7 acres of landscaped garden, it is an 11-storey 350-bed multi-specialty tertiary care hospital offering a complete range of the latest diagnostic and high-end medical technology. It is also the only private health care institute to offer the facility and services of a helipad and is the only private medical facility in Sri Lanka equipped for air-ambulance services with the capability of providing medical support during transfers.

International Patient Care Centre (IPCS) of Lanka Hospitals is a dedicated, specialized unit of designed to provide personalized and the best medical care for international patients. In the delivery of care to these patients, the unit ensures that there will be an appropriate interdisciplinary plan of action for each patient, a seamless clinical logistic arrangement provided, a comprehensive patient and family education plan meted out and a clear communication with the patient and his/her family.