Vachira Phuket Hospital Expands bariatric Surgery Services to Boost Medical Tourism
State-run hospital aims to attract international patients seeking weight-loss surgery amidst rising demand.
Vachira Phuket Hospital, located in Phuket, Thailand, has announced its plans to enhance its role in the burgeoning medical tourism sector by specifically focusing on attracting international patients interested in weight-loss surgery.
This initiative comes in response to the increasing demand for bariatric procedures globally.
Dr. Thakoon Poonthananiwatkul, a senior surgeon at the facility, highlighted that the hospital boasts over ten years of experience in bariatric surgery, having treated more than 3,400 patients to date.
The hospital is recognized for its accredited weight-loss surgery practices, having received accreditation from the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), a nonprofit organization in the United States that advocates for patient safety and high medical standards.
Bariatric surgery is typically recommended for patients struggling with obesity when conventional weight-loss methods such as diet and exercise have proven ineffective, particularly in those with associated health issues.
Post-surgery, patients typically experience an average weight loss of between 25% and 40% of their total body weight, although long-term sustainability of this weight loss largely depends on the individual’s lifestyle choices.
Since commencing its bariatric surgery program in 2015, Vachira Phuket Hospital now operates an accredited excellence center dedicated to this type of surgery.
The facility currently performs between 500 to 700 bariatric procedures annually, averaging 40 to 50 surgeries each month.
As part of its strategy to become a central hub for medical tourism in Phuket, the hospital is initially targeting expatriates living on the island before expanding its outreach to a wider international audience.
Dr. Veerasak Lorthongkham, director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, articulated that these advancements reflect the institution's commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare while promoting Phuket as a prime destination for medical tourism.
The anticipated influx of patients is expected to contribute positively to the local economy by bolstering the healthcare and tourism sectors.
This initiative comes in response to the increasing demand for bariatric procedures globally.
Dr. Thakoon Poonthananiwatkul, a senior surgeon at the facility, highlighted that the hospital boasts over ten years of experience in bariatric surgery, having treated more than 3,400 patients to date.
The hospital is recognized for its accredited weight-loss surgery practices, having received accreditation from the Surgical Review Corporation (SRC), a nonprofit organization in the United States that advocates for patient safety and high medical standards.
Bariatric surgery is typically recommended for patients struggling with obesity when conventional weight-loss methods such as diet and exercise have proven ineffective, particularly in those with associated health issues.
Post-surgery, patients typically experience an average weight loss of between 25% and 40% of their total body weight, although long-term sustainability of this weight loss largely depends on the individual’s lifestyle choices.
Since commencing its bariatric surgery program in 2015, Vachira Phuket Hospital now operates an accredited excellence center dedicated to this type of surgery.
The facility currently performs between 500 to 700 bariatric procedures annually, averaging 40 to 50 surgeries each month.
As part of its strategy to become a central hub for medical tourism in Phuket, the hospital is initially targeting expatriates living on the island before expanding its outreach to a wider international audience.
Dr. Veerasak Lorthongkham, director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, articulated that these advancements reflect the institution's commitment to delivering exceptional healthcare while promoting Phuket as a prime destination for medical tourism.
The anticipated influx of patients is expected to contribute positively to the local economy by bolstering the healthcare and tourism sectors.
