Fitting in a medical examination into a busy travel schedule is possible with the wide range of packages available around Asia-Pacific. The BTAP team shortlisted some options for consideration.

For busy business travellers, a health check can bring peace of mind or a timely corrective to a harmful lifestyle. For travellers in Asia-Pacific, the only reason to pause is when deciding which country to choose. The choices are abundant.

We all know that we should take care of ourselves. We watch what we eat, we try and exercise when we can. We sleep regular hours, jet lag permitting, and we take control of our itineraries so we aren’t on the road every day of the week.

Or at least, that’s the theory. In practice, we are often burning the candle at both ends. The trouble is, the candle is our health. So it’s time to take stock.

A health check-up is a good idea, particularly if you haven’t been to the doctor in a while. Of course, you could just go to your own physician, but since you are even busier on the days when you are at home than when you are abroad, make an appointment to coincide with your next business trip. Once it is part of your itinerary, just another meeting among all the meetings that you have scheduled, you are far more likely to go. Alternatively, you might want to make a long weekend of it, or even a holiday and take the family. Whatever works for you, the important thing is to take time for your own health.

So how do you choose where to go? Well, if your travels regularly take you to a city, it makes sense to find out about the options in that place. The familiarity you have with the city will make the whole process less stressful, and you’ll also be able to return for a follow-up check up 18 months or three years later.

If you have a holiday coming up, another option is to head for somewhere that has a check-up as an option, preferably along with a wellness spa and a beach for relaxing. There’s nothing so good for lowering your blood pressure as time to relax, and since stress is a major problem for executives today, finding the right environment for both your holiday and your health check is likely to make it a far more bearable experience.

We have looked around the region at the options. What follows are not recommendations – at Business Traveller Asia-Pacific we only recommend what we have personally tested, and testing several different health checks, especially with the bewildering array of packages offered, was beyond the ability of any one person or even our team. Instead this is a range of options. Better yet, if you have friends in a destination, do consult them and get their suggestions on where to go.

INDIA, MUMBAI

NM Medical Centre

In the last two decades, NM Medical Centre has earned a reputation for providing advanced diagnostic imaging and quality customer service. It has centres throughout Mumbai – Chowpatty, Bandra, Linking Road and Mulund and one in Bangalore.

THE OFFER: The NM Primary Health Plan (US$74.52) is the most basic and includes pathology tests for diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, kidney disease, urine routine and physical consultation for the body, teeth and eyes, as well as diagnostic tests (digital chest X-ray and ECG 12 Lead).

This forms the base for more thorough health check ups, known as the Gold Health Plans, starting with Gold (US$124), which consists of CBC, tests for diabetes, liver and liver, urine and stool examinations and a specialised thyroid hormone test. Also included are a digital test X-ray, ECG, stress test and sonography. Consultations provided are eye check ups, dental check ups, diet and nutrition counselling, gynaecological examination and physical examination.

The Gold Plus, Gold Deluxe and Gold Super Deluxe (CT brain scan and MRS spine) feature more intensive add ons.

CONTACT: tel 91 22 6649 0011, email [email protected], www.nmmedical.com

 

MALAYSIA, KUALA LUMPUR

SUNWAY MEDICAL CENTRE

SunMed is part of the Sunway Group, whose businesses include healthcare and leisure, entertainment and hospitality (among them, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa and Sunway Lagoon theme park). The private hospital, 25 minutes by car from downtown KL, opened in 1999 and is certified ISO 9001:2000 and MS ISO15189 and accredited by Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH).

SunMed has developed niche areas of medical services including neurosciences and cochlear implant, launched in 2003 and 2004 respectively. Among its centres of excellence are the Dental Services, Neuro Sciences, Child Health Centre, Speech and Hearing Centre, Travel Health, Wellness and Aesthetics, Bone and Joint Centre, Digestive and Colorectal Centre, Eye Centre, Dietetics and Nutrition Services, and Cardiac and Vascular Centre.

THE OFFER: The “Heart” programme (US$248) comprises a screening test (electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, pulmonary lung function test and stress test), blood laboratory tests (cardiac risk markers, full blood count, peripheral blood film, kidney function profile, liver function profile, lipid profile, bone profile, immunology, infectious disease, AFP/alpha-fetoprotein tumour marker test for liver and testes, CEA/carcinoembryonic antigen tumour marker test for colon, and urine testing), clinical examination (vision test, ear, nose and throat examination, lung examination, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, height and weight measurement, pelvis and abdomen and breast examination for ladies) and a health questionnaire.

Patients can opt for add-on examinations on the abdomen and pelvis ultrasound (US$69) or request a mammogram (US$50).

CONTACT: tel 60 3 7491 1198, email [email protected], www.sunway.com.my/sunmed

 

PENANG, LOH GUAN LYE

SPECIALISTS CENTRE

It started in 1975 as The Specialists Centre offering 30 beds, and was renamed Loh Guan Lye Specialists Centre in 1992 after its founder the late Datuk Dr Loh. Thirty-two years on, the private hospital in the heart of Georgetown is headed by his son and managing director, Kelvin HY Loh. A new wing was added in 1995, increasing the bed count to 250; and the Loh Guan Lye College of Nursing was set up in 1996.

Specialisations include anaesthesiology, cardiology, dental and oral surgery, eye surgery and glaucomatology, neurology, obstetric and gynaecology, oncology, orthopaedic surgery, sports medicine and trauma, plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, respiratory medicine and urology. Other facilities include a Wi-Fi hot spot and nursing room.

THE OFFER: The comprehensive “Premier Health Screening” (US$698) package features a physical examination by consultant physician, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram (sound imaging of the heart), treadmill stress test, chest X-ray, upper abdomen ultrasound and blood analysis – which includes full blood picture, blood group, electrolytes, creatinine test (the measuring of creatinine levels in blood and urine to determine the functioning of kidneys), urea, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, fasting blood sugar, HbA1C (for measuring the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin in blood), lipid profile, liver function tests, Hepatitis B virus antigen, Hepatitis B virus antibody, Hepatitis C virus Ab, Hepatitis A virus antibody, HIV antigen/antibody combo, syphilis screening, rheumatoid factor (for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis), thyroid function test, male/female cancer marker profile and urine testing.

CONTACT: tel 60 4 238 8888 ext 8087, email [email protected], www.lohguanlye.com
PENANG ADVENTIST HOSPITAL (PAH)

This Georgetown, not-for-profit facility is part of the Adventist Health Network of 400 healthcare facilities worldwide including the renowned Loma Linda University & Medical Centre in California. PAH was formed in 1924 and is accredited by the MSQH and the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative by UNICEF and the World Health Organization. The 276-bed hospital runs an accredited nursing programme and has its own nursing college, the Adventist College of Nursing.

PAH started a heart programme in 1987, covering paediatric and adult heart surgeries. There are three resident heart surgeons including one specialising in heart surgeries for children, 10 cardiologists who are both resident and associate doctors, and a resident vascular surgeon. Highly sophisticated equipment like an Endo Laser Vein System is used to treat varicose veins with the help of laser radiation. Other services and facilities include IntraLASIK for laser vision correction, Digestive and Liver Health Centre, minimal invasive spine surgery/endoscopic spinal surgery, neurosurgery, 3D/4D ultrasound imaging and soon, an Oncology Centre.

THE OFFER: The “Gold Wellness” package (from US$256) for both men and women lasts five to six hours. It features a physical examination and consultation, blood and urine laboratory tests, diabetes screening, stool testing for occult blood, chest X-ray, upper abdomen ultrasound, resting electrocardiogram, health risk appraisal (including lifestyle evaluation, aerobic fitness evaluation, diet recall and consultation, and body fat analysis and flexibility test), CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) tumour marker test for colon, lung function test, DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) bone densitometry and glaucoma test for eye pressure. Additional tests for men are prostate tumour marker test, pelvis/lower abdomen ultrasound and heart screening, while women undergo a pelvis/lower abdomen ultrasound, mammogram and pap smear and pelvic examination.

CONTACT: tel 60 4 222 7779, email [email protected], www.pah.com.my. Foreigners must book one month ahead and at least two weeks for locals.

THE PHILIPPINES, MANILA

CAPITOL MEDICAL CENTER

This institution, which pioneered the country’s first successful kidney transplant in 1970, is a 300-bed facility providing care in major specialties, including surgery, radiology and rehabilitation medicine, as well as various sub-specialties. It has a total of 11 operating theatres and recently added what is claimed to be the Philippines’ only Spine Care Center as well as a Voice and Swallowing Clinic to address the needs of voice professionals and dysphagic individuals. Latest state-of-the-art acquisitions include the GE Senographe DMR+ mammography machine and Hitachi Aperto 0.4 Tesla Open MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) System, both promising faster and more accurate testing.

THE OFFER: There are executive check-up packages for both men and women. Executive Check-Up A (US$724) for male patients is more comprehensive than Check-Up B (US$603). It consists of X-ray studies, ultra sound studies and laboratory studies, which include tests for total protein, total bilirubin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase and a few others not included in Check-Up B. The cardio-pulmonary studies include a 2D Echo not found in Check-Up B.

For female patients, Executive Check-Up A (US$733) features a few more tests not found in Check-Up B (US$611) such as those for total protein, total bilirubin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase among others. The 2DEcho test in the Cardio-Pulmonary studies is also not part of B. A two-night confinement is required to undergo these health examinations.

There are packages for other tests, again tailored for both men and women, focusing on conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, prostate cancer and breast cancer.

CONTACT: tel 63 2 372 3825, email [email protected], www.capitalmedical.org
MAKATI MEDICAL CENTER

As one of the founding participants in the Philippine government’s Medical Tourism Program, MMC will in the future be able to welcome patient-visitors – and locals alike – to a brand-new seven-storey wing, housing five centres of excellence related to cancer care, eye services and the heart among others. Patients’ rooms will remain in the original building which will also undergo major refurbishment. The new facility is envisioned to have the feel of a hotel and spa.

THE OFFER: This hospital has designed three executive plans and one cardiac package. Plan A (from US$625 per individual including accommodation) is the most comprehensive, requiring a two-night stay, while Plans B (US$443.47 including accommodation) and the cardiac exam (from US$784.60) are overnight, and Plan C (US$204.68) is on outpatient basis.

Admission time is 1000 to 1800, Monday to Wednesday for Plan A and Monday to Wednesday for Plan B. Patients coming without any attending physician will be assigned a coordinator, who takes charge of the period of work-up, recommends specialists, prepares the medical report and explains the results of the check up.

CONTACT: tel 63 2 888 8999, email [email protected], www.makatimed.net.ph
ST LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER

An international affiliate of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, St Luke’s (left) has built a firm reputation for quality healthcare service, not only in the country but the Asia-Pacific as well.

THE OFFER: Under its Wellness Program are a raft of check ups featuring a variety of test permutations. There’s the comprehensive Executive Check-Up A requiring a two-night stay (from US$572.94 per individual) and Executive Check-Up B with an overnight stay (US$414) and less tests such as minus the barium enema) and Check-Up B1 (from US$274), which excludes the barium enema and can be done on an outpatient basis.

Special examinations such as treadmill exercise test, resting electrocardiogram and proctosigmoidoscopy are charged extra.

Other procedures include the Cardiac Check-Up C (from US$833) for two nights, C1 (from US$616.26) for one night, and which does not include findings for SGPT/ALT, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and total protein and the barium enema. Programs C2 and C3 (from US$412.74 and US$219 respectively) are on an outpatient basis. Checks for diabetes can also be conducted.

CONTACT: tel 63 2 724 1766, email [email protected], www.stluke.com.ph

 

SINGAPORE

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE GROUP (NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND TAN TOCK SENG HOPSITAL)

National Healthcare Group (NHG), a cluster of Singapore’s government-run hospitals and healthcare facilities.

THE OFFER: Available is a three-tier screening programme, Essential (US$245) Deluxe (US$381) and Premium (US$1,056). The packages include a full review of the patient’s medical history and patients are asked to bring along as many relevant medical files as they can. There are no price differences between male and female tests. All NHG hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), a global medical auditing body. The group’s International Patient Liaison Centre handles travel and visa enquiries and can recommend post-check tours and accommodation for those who want to extend their stay.

CONTACT: tel 65 6779 2777, email [email protected], www.nhgiplc.com
SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL ASSIST

Singapore International Assist is an alliance of private practices and clinics in Singapore.

THE OFFER: There are two packages, Basic Health Screening (US$282) and Executive Health Screening (US$521). In the executive packages, men are offered prostrate screening while women may have a mammogram. Both men and women are offered cancer market tests. All packages come with nutritionist consultation and a post-screening review.

CONTACT: tel 65 6336 0716, email [email protected], www.siaassist.org

 

TAIWAN, TAIPEI

SHOW CHWAN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

This 30-year-old facility has branches in Changhua Coastal Industrial Park (Changpin), Chushan and Taipei, and also manages the Tainan Municipal Hospital and Kaohsiung Kangshan Hospital. It signed a contract of affiliation with Canada’s Vancouver General Hospital in 1991, followed by the The New York Eye & Ear Infirmary (1994), Japan’s Oyamata Onsen Hospital (1995), St Joseph’s Health Center also in Canada (1995), and the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology & Clinical Research of the Johns Hopkins Medical Institute (1996).

Show Chwan runs a cancer centre, cardio vascular centre, gastroenterology centre and hyperbaric oxygen therapy centre. Specialist departments include Chinese Medicine, Dentistry, Dermatology, Family Medicine, Pathology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Rehabilitation and Radiology Therapy among others.

THE OFFER: A range of executive health examination packages are offered at this facility. Among them, the US$3,067 package for men features a whole body tumour imaging and vessel examinations which includes computed tomography examinations of the coronary arteries and lung, MRI of the head and neck, abdomen and spine, echo thyroid and prostate tests and biochemistry (blood cell count and tumour marker). Women can opt for a whole tumour and vessel examination package (US$1,917), which features a lung scan, MRI of the head and neck, abdomen and spine, echo thyroid test and breast imaging, as well as biochemistry – blood cell count and tumour marker. Other services include a low dose lung cancer screen image examination (US$230), virtual colonoscope and abdominal organ (US$460) and low leg vessel screen and renal artery (US$460).

CONTACT: tel 88 6 2771 7172, email [email protected], http://scmh.org.tw/english

THAILAND, BANGKOK

BANGKOK HOSPITAL

The hospital recently gained the much-prized accreditation from the JCI. The hospital has its own suite of serviced apartments, with a studio room starting at US$58 per night. Bangkok Hospital has its own counter at the arrivals section of Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi airport to assist with transfers.

THE OFFER: There are three ascending tiers of check-ups – Vital (US$76) Supreme (US$237) and Ultimate. The Ultimate test has a male and a female version, men will pay US$370, while women pay US$518. Women taking the Ultimate package have a digital mammogram and cervical examination included, while the male package includes a prostate check. Both the Gold packages include dental and eye examinations.

CONTACT: tel 66 2 310 3000, email [email protected], www.bangkokhospital.com
PHYATHAI HOSPITAL

It consists of three complexes (Phyathai 1 Hospital for neurosurgery, Phyathai 2 Hospital for cardiology and Phyathai 3 Hospital for paediatrics) and handles an average of 2,000 overseas patients each month. It has its own suite of serviced apartments.

THE OFFER: The Phyathai hospital has four levels of check-up, Classic (US$146), Silver (US$234), Gold (US$439 for men and US$497 for women) and Platinum (US$1,141 for men and US$1,258 for women). The gold and platinum packages for men include testosterone checks, prostate and hepatitis screening. For women, they include breast and cervical checks. All Phyathai packages include a complimentary aromatherapy massage. The hospital arranges airport-hospital-hotel transfers and its transport unit can supply saloon cars for individuals or couples or larger minivans for families.

CONTACT: tel 66 2 617 2444, email [email protected], www.phyathai.com