Phyathai 2 Hospital is pouring 100 million baht into expanding its heart centre to capitalise on high demand for cardiac treatment in local and international markets.
Thouantosaporn Suwanjutah, director of Phyathai 2's Heart Center, said the total investment includes 42 million baht for upgrading facilities and medical service training and 58 million for medical equipment and technology.
The hospital started expanding the project in the fourth quarter of 2017 and is scheduled to complete it by year-end.
The hospital is aiming for a domestic/international heart patient ratio of 85% to 15% this year.
The Heart Center has the capacity to treat up to 150 outpatients a day, while 30 inpatients can receive care.
"Our main foreign focus will be on China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and the Middle East," Dr Thouantosaporn said. "With an outstanding medical foundation that includes diagnostic tests and treatments for heart-related diseases, cardiac treatment and surgery, we hope to improve our specialty presence internationally."
Medical hub
Thailand ranks in the top 10 in the world as a medical tourism destination. Estimates reckon that 38% of patients who come to Asia for treatment come here.
Having the highest number of internationally accredited hospitals in Southeast Asia, Thailand draws a large number of medical travellers each year.
Compared with Singapore and the US, the cost of cardiac treatment in Thailand is one-third and one-fifth lower, respectively.
Phyathai 2 Hospital has 250 beds and receives an average of 2,500 outpatients a day. That number is expected to increase to 2,800 this year.
The hospital took in revenue of 4 billion baht last year and aims to increase the figure by 15% this year. Over the next 5-6 years, Phyathai sees annual revenue rising to 5-6 billion baht.
Kittichai Luengtaviboon, a specialist in minimally invasive cardiovascular thoracic surgery, said heart attacks are a common concern all over the world, with the World Health Organization estimating that 17.7 million people died from cardiovascular disease globally in 2015.
Some 54,530 people are estimated to lose their lives from heart disease every year in Thailand, an average of 150 deaths a day.
"Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioural risk factors and adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing stress and getting regular health screenings," Dr Kittichai said.
The most important behavioural risk factors for heart disease are an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and alcohol abuse. The effects of behavioural risk factors may manifest in the form of higher blood pressure, raised blood glucose, raised blood lipids and being overweight or obese.
Thonburi move
Tanatip Suppradit, vice-chairman and acting chief executive of Thonburi Healthcare Group, said the company next week will propose that its board consider a new investment project worth up to 1 billion baht.
The new investment will be a medical centre specifically for aged people, Dr Tanatip said. The project will feature a residence for seniors.
The company projects that 13% of Thai people will be aged 65 and over in 2020, up from 8.9% in 2010.
That trend has prompted the provider's flagship Thonburi Hospital in Bangkok to expand its medical facilities, parking space and number of doctors to meet higher demand.
The company also increased its stake in Aryu International Health Care Co Ltd, in Myanmar, to 40%. Aryu's 200-bed hospital in Yangon opened earlier this year.