CEYLONESE HOSPITAL MAP TO REVIVE TOURISM

 Colombo National Hospital, one of the finest state-run healthcare institutions in the country

With new COVID variants being detected, global travel is facing yet another setback. Nevertheless, tourism needs to thrive for island nations like ours to sustain themselves financially. Discouraging tourist arrivals will hamper economic stability. So far, only a few countries have imposed a total ban on tourism. There have also been numerous attempts to encourage medical tourism in certain countries. The solid evidence of COVID spread linked to winter in subtropics favours tourism in tropical destinations like ours.

In order to reclaim its place in the tourism spotlight, Sri Lanka requires much more than mere flyers and slogans. When analyzing what we have in the offer against our competitors in global tourism, it’s obvious that we have a superior health care system within public and private hospitals. This vast network, established over a few decades with competent medical personnel, is well above the required standards for global tourism.

Code of Ethics in Tourism

Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET) is a comprehensive set of principles Adopted in 1999 by the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization. Later on, it was acknowledged by the United Nations. The code features 10 articles to cover economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects of tourism. Article 7 describes the tourism right. This clause mentions that tourists and visitors should benefit from prompt and easy access to local administrative, legal, and health services. 
Most prime tourist destinations do not have “prompt and easy” access to health services. The article does not describe the quality of healthcare that they should receive. But as a member of the government health care providers, I can vouch that we do not compromise health care standards.

What do top travel destinations offer?

A recent Forbes article named the Maldives as the 6th best destination to travel for any tourist. This particular article did not analyze the standards of healthcare the Maldives had in offer for its tourists. The Maldivian hospital system struggles with 18 hospitals and only two offering minimal specialist care. In the COVID era, this shortage of doctors is of grave concern for tourist leapfrogging between the lovely islands of Maldives.

Seychelles was recently named one of the top 25 world’s best islands for travel. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit and meet the health officials of Seychelles, including its health minister. This tiny country, which boasts a high GDP, one of the highest on the African continent, and a few seven-star hotels such as the Four Seasons Resort, is beset by health-care issues. Seychelles has only one hospital for locals and tourists, with 17 miniature health centres scattered all over its islands. They have a very few specialist doctors, and most surgeries and paediatric issues are sorted out in other countries such as Sri Lanka or India. Both these countries, unlike Sri Lanka, are not prepared for health emergencies. 

Sri Lankan Hospital Map and App

The Sri Lankan health care system did not flourish overnight. Our anti-malaria campaign commenced one hundred years ago, back in 1911. Our hospital network is steadily growing. Despite the fact that many doctors are pursuing greener pastures abroad, we have many world-class specialists.
If I describe the government sector alone, there are 11 teaching hospitals and additional specialized teaching hospitals for specialties like paediatric, maternal and eye care. We also have two provincial general hospitals, 19 district general hospitals, 71 base hospitals, and 80 divisional hospitals. There are also clinic-based centres namely the central dispensaries and the MOH clinics. 

In addition, the services provided by private hospitals should not be overlooked. They relieve the overcrowding in government hospitals and play an important role in encouraging medical tourism to countries like the Maldives and Seychelles.

My simple suggestion is to plot a map of Sri Lankan health care centres, both public and private, so that a sense of security is created within tourists who visit our pearl of a country. A simple pdf document and a smartphone app that helps tourists locate the closest health care facility would boost the confidence of those who plan to visit Sri Lanka. This map should, ideally, include both government and licensed private-sector health facilities. Later, the app can provide information on the services provided by each hospital. It would be helpful to have a list of qualified general practitioners.

There won’t be a boost in tourist arrivals by merely creating a hospital map since global travel is based on the economic, social, cultural and environmental standards of that particular country. But this no-cost map might provide insight into what Sri Lanka offers ahead of its counterparts in “Island Tourism”.
The writer is a Consultant in Rheumatology and Rehabilitation
General Hospital - Matara