THE number of patients from Myanmar seeking treatment at Raffles Hospital in Singapore has increased by about 70 percent this year, said an official from the hospital.

“In previous years we have seen about 85 to 100 Myanmar patients every quarter, but since the start of this calendar year we have been seeing between 150 to 170 Myanmar cases every quarter,” said Dr Saw Chit Aung, the deputy marketing director at the hospital.

His comments followed a medical seminar on Current Trends in Surgical Treatment of Chronic Back Pain held last month at Traders Hotel in Yangon organised by Inter Consulting Group, which helps arrange treatment for local residents at Raffles Hospital.

U Nyi Nyi Htun, a managing consultant for Inter Consulting Group, said his organisation helps patients plan everything from their hospital visit to accommodation and transportation.

“Getting medical treatment in a foreign country is very expensive, not only for the cost of medication but also for the costs of living, food and transportation for family members who accompany the patient,” he said.

“To allow patients to stay a shorter time, get prompt treatment and recover more quickly, we ask people to get medical checkups here before going to Raffles Hospital,” said Dr Thawda Myint, the head of medical services at the group.

“We send the results to the hospital in Singapore and we discuss them with the doctors there. Then the patients can get treatment as soon as they reach the hospital,” she said. “We arrange everything for our clients, including visas, accommodation and transportation.”

Dr Saw Chit Aung said daily living expenses in Singapore can cost between S$120 and S$150.

“Most people from Myanmar go to Raffles for heart, cancer, orthopaedic, endocrine, liver or gynaecology treatment,” he said.

Other popular destinations for Myanmar residents seeking medical treatment overseas include Bumrungrad International Hospital and Bangkok Hospital in Thailand, and National University Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital in Singapore.