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It's every hard-pressed manager's nightmare: A gripping,
vice-like chest pain. Maybe just indigestion after a rich meal. Maybe
not.
Heart attacks are an occupational hazard for people in business and
other high-stress jobs. Victims are usually middle-age workaholics who
smoke, eat the wrong food and don't exercise.
Most are men. They rush to a doctor and the prognosis is bad. Surgery
is required. But where to go? Who wields the steadiest scalpel?
When former president Megawati Soekarnoputri had medical checkups in
Singapore she sent a clear message to all Indonesians about the quality
of the nation's health system.
Her husband Taufik Kiemas endorsed his wife's views by choosing the
nearby Western Australian capital Perth for his heart surgery.
It seems that if you're an Indonesian with a serious health problem and
plenty of money you head straight for the nearest airport rather than
the closest hospital.
Back in the 1990s before the economic crisis, many sick Indonesians
chose Australia for treatment. Agents helped patients find the right
doctors and hospitals, sort out visas and accommodation for the family,
and somewhere to convalesce.
When the rupiah exchange rate multiplied exponentially those agents
found business too tough and quit the market. Now the currency seems to
have stabilized, and a new Australian company has entered the field.
Validus International is a health services management business linking
the sick to the services they need. The company is contracted to
Perth's Mount Hospital to provide an international patient liaison
officer and is affiliated to other hospitals and services, including a
fertility clinic.
Validus is seeking patients from Mauritius, Malaysia, China and
Indonesia, but according to managing director Mark Riseley the
Indonesian market is the company's priority.
It has opened an office in Jakarta managed by a doctor and will be
running seminars for surgeons and general practitioners in the capital
and other big cities in the coming months.
"The cost of surgery and other medical treatment in Perth is about the
same as Singapore," said Riseley in his Perth office. "The airfare is a
little more expensive but that's a small amount in the overall cost."
Australia is ranked second by the World Health Organization for healthy
life expectancy which reflects the quality of health care available.
Japan is number one
The facilities in Perth are world class. Perth is close -just over
three hours flight from Denpasar. The lifestyle is relaxed, the climate
benign and the claims by Validus about fees and services may well be
correct. But Indonesians (and many expats) prefer instead to head for
Singapore where medical care is well promoted.
The tiny city state is closer to Jakarta and has some other significant
advantages. It has a no-fuss, no-fee entry system. Most foreigners can
just fly or ferry into the island and get stamped in on arrival for a
short-term visit.
To visit Australia requires a visa in advance and forms with more than
40 questions. Malaysians and Singaporeans can apply for Australian
visas through the Internet, but not Indonesians.
Medical visas are free. Tourist visas cost A$70 (Rp 500,000) which is
non refundable if a mistake is made on the seven-page application form.
Although embassy officials claim around 97 percent of visa applicants
are successful, the perception is that entry into Australia is
difficult, and therefore unwelcoming.
Riseley said an Australian health visa can be arranged within three to
five days or 24 hours in an emergency. But however efficient the
bureaucracy it can't compete with Singapore's simplicity.
"I've been talking to the Immigration Department and the current system
of sending medical data for visa assessment by locked bag twice a week
to Australia will soon be replaced by direct digital transmission,"
said Riseley. "That should speed procedures. A new visa application
center has also been opened in Jakarta."
Riseley trained as a physiotherapist in Australia and Canada, then
worked in the Middle East where he saw the need for international
health care and patient management services.
The chair of Validus is health administrator Glyn Palmer, president of
the West Australian Health Care Association. He was previously CEO of
St John of God Health Care in Perth.
"In the past there were good contacts between the Catholic hospitals in
Indonesia and Australia," he said. "Australia is the equal of any
country in the world in providing the best medical care. We also have a
large knowledge base in medical care and this has to be shared."
Palmer said he would organize seminars in Indonesia where doctors could
get free information from visiting Australian surgeons and physicians
on the latest procedures and medications.
He would also be talking to Indonesian doctors' associations and
working to build relationships with hospitals. He agreed that the
pivotal point in getting business was the patient's doctor who would
usually offer advice on the best place for treatment.
For Validus to succeed it's critical that medicos are aware of
facilities in Australia.
Doctors who refer patients to hospitals overseas can collect
commissions of between 4 and 10 percent of the hospital bill.
The other gateway is medical insurers who have links with hospitals and
laboratories where they direct their members.
Riseley said Singapore currently takes 370,000 overseas medical
patients a year, Malaysia 270,000.
Validus has set itself modest numbers for starters just 450 by the end
of next year.
"We understand that building relationships in Indonesia is extremely
important," said Palmer.
"We must respect cultural differences. We'll be going to Indonesia
regularly, communicating and listening. We're selling a good Australian
product and we'd like more Australian government help.
"The visa process is frustrating - it takes too long. Singapore does a
wonderful job, and we have a lot to catch up on.
"Australia is a favored education center for about 20,000 Indonesians a
year so we can build on those contacts and family ties. Word of mouth
is also important. The response so far has been enthusiastic.".
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