Monday, July 02, 2007 Monitor health, wellness spas: DOH
AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Health (DOH) 7 is pushing for the monitoring of health and wellness spas in the country, lest these establishments be used as fronts for prostitution.
In the event that this happens, the incidence of sexually transmitted infections is likely to increase, said Dr. Cora Lou Kintanar, DOH 7 medical tourism coordinator.
“The health personnel here are more compassionate and caring (said) the foreigners,” Kintanar said of the capability of spas to cater to tourists.
She also said that Filipino masseurs and masseuses have a different kind of touch, especially those coming from far-flung areas.
‘Innate caring’
“It is the innate caring attitude of Filipinos that neither the impersonality of technological and scientific advances nor the cold and dehumanizing five-star amenities can destroy or snuff out,” Health Beat, the official publication of the DOH, also said.
Aside from spas, Health Beat also noted traditional and alternative medicines available in the Philippines such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, virgin coconut oil, and organic food.
“Pristine beaches, majestic marine life, wild forests replete with herbs and other plants” in the country also make up for fine tourist amenities.
It also helps that Filipinos can carry a decent conversation in English.
The Philippines is also home to diverse religious heritage-Catholicism, Christianity and Islam.
Welcome destination
DOH also believes that the multi-cultural lineage of Filipinos-Spanish, American, Malay and Japanese “has intensified the inherent ability to empathize and easily interact with other cultures.”
But the Filipino culture itself is a welcome destination for foreigners.
“It is in our culture to really take care of the old,” said Kintanar.
The weather also makes the Philippines a tourist destination. Unlike other countries, the Philippines only experiences a wet and dry season.
There is also a big discrepancy in terms of prices of health care in the Philippines compared to other countries. (JGA)
