Need stressed to promote medical tourism
Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, in his keynote emphasised that Pakistani doctors are world-class experts and we can earn substantial foreign exchange for the country through medical tourism like Turkiye, India, Iran and China.
He explained that globally tourism industry contributes 10 percent to the World GDP; accounts for 330 million jobs and 28.3% of global services exports.
Since the 1970s, tourism has been used as a tool for community development with emphasis on economic development and lessening poverty; as a result, many developing countries have promoted and supported tourism projects in their national development plans.
SVP FPCCI elaborated that medical tourism has also emerged as a major industry globally valued at $144.5 billion in 2024. It is projected to reach US$ 700 billion by the year 2033. Key players such as Thailand, Iran, India, Türkiye, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia have established themselves as medical tourism hubs, leveraging competitive pricing, advanced healthcare facilities and government support.
Lt Gen Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat (Retd), MD Green Tourism Pvt Ltd, maintained that the global medical tourism market is driven by rising healthcare costs in developed countries, long wait times and the demand for specialized treatments. Many countries have successfully attracted international patients by offering advanced medical technologies, high-quality care and a blend of medical and leisure tourism.
Zubair Tufail, former President FPCCI, highlighted that medical tourism has huge potential in Pakistan; and, from the platform of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) several conferences in Turkiye, Iran and other countries have been organised on the subject. This conference is first ever conference from private sector in Pakistan and is live streaming in all OIC countries.
The conference was also addressed by Atif Hanif, President & CEO, AlBaraka Bank Pakistan; Saima Agha, Parliamentary Secretary, Sindh; Dr. Farhat Abbas, CEO AKUH; Dr Habib-Ur-Rahman, Chairman of Shifa International Hospitals and other healthcare industry leaders.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business Recorder
Need stressed to promote medical tourism
KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and Islamic Chamber of Commerce & Development jointly organised a Medical Tourism Conference here, attended by top medical professionals, tourism industry CEOs, government officials and parliamentarians. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, in his keynote emphasised that Pakistani doctors are world-class experts and we can earn substantial foreign exchange for the country through medical tourism like Turkiye, India, Iran and China. He explained that globally tourism industry contributes 10 percent to the World GDP; accounts for 330 million jobs and 28.3% of global services exports. Since the 1970s, tourism has been used as a tool for community development with emphasis on economic development and lessening poverty; as a result, many developing countries have promoted and supported tourism projects in their national development plans. SVP FPCCI elaborated that medical tourism has also emerged as a major industry globally valued at $144.5 billion in 2024. It is projected to reach US$ 700 billion by the year 2033. Key players such as Thailand, Iran, India, Türkiye, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia have established themselves as medical tourism hubs, leveraging competitive pricing, advanced healthcare facilities and government support. Lt Gen Sardar Hassan Azhar Hayat (Retd), MD Green Tourism Pvt Ltd, maintained that the global medical tourism market is driven by rising healthcare costs in developed countries, long wait times and the demand for specialized treatments. Many countries have successfully attracted international patients by offering advanced medical technologies, high-quality care and a blend of medical and leisure tourism. Zubair Tufail, former President FPCCI, highlighted that medical tourism has huge potential in Pakistan; and, from the platform of Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development (ICCD) several conferences in Turkiye, Iran and other countries have been organised on the subject. This conference is first ever conference from private sector in Pakistan and is live streaming in all OIC countries. The conference was also addressed by Atif Hanif, President & CEO, AlBaraka Bank Pakistan; Saima Agha, Parliamentary Secretary, Sindh; Dr. Farhat Abbas, CEO AKUH; Dr Habib-Ur-Rahman, Chairman of Shifa International Hospitals and other healthcare industry leaders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business Recorder
Altaf Hussain's health condition ‘getting better'
Health condition of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain is improving, said the party leader, amid social media speculations a day after Altaf was admitted to hospital after his condition deteriorated. Senior MQM leader Mustafa Azizabadi said the health of MQM's founder is better today compared to yesterday. 'Various tests were conducted on him. By the grace of Allah Almighty and the prayers of the nation, Altaf Bhai's health has improved,' he said. Relaying the party supporters of Altaf's improving condition, Azizabadi dispelled the 'rumours being spread on social media about Altaf Bhai', saying workers should maintain unity in their ranks. Doctors prescribe multiple tests, transfusion as Altaf Hussain hospitalised in London Whereas, MQM Deputy Convener Coordination Committee Qasim Ali Raza said a team of various expert and distinguished doctors conducted a detailed medical examination of Altaf, at a local hospital in London. 'The panel of doctors, in light of the reports from various tests conducted yesterday, agreed to continue the medications given to Altaf Hussain,' he wrote in a social media post. In addition, he said, due to a decrease in blood counts, doctors have advised continuing blood transfusions for the MQM founder today as well. Altaf was hospitalised in London on Thursday night, where doctors prescribed him various diagnostic tests including blood tests, ECG, CT scan, X-ray and ultrasound. In a post on X a day ago, Azizabadi said: 'Mr Altaf Hussain has since long been suffering from severe emotional stress which included the domestic and international geo-political situations, multiple law suits in London, and fiscal difficulties.' Azizabadi had also said Altaf had been admitted to a hospital in London due to severe illness, where various tests had been conducted on him. The MQM founder has been living in self-exile in London since 1992. He had long been active in Pakistani politics delivering speeches and messages through phone calls, until he was declared fugitive after serious charges were levelled against him in 2015.
Express Tribune
11-07-2025
- Express Tribune
MQM founder Altaf Hussain hospitalised in London
Listen to article Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain, who has been living in self-exile in the United Kingdom for over three decades, has been hospitalised in London, senior party officials confirmed on Friday. In a statement on X, MQM's london-based leader Mustafa Azizabadi said that Hussain underwent a medical check-up at a local hospital where doctors conducted initial examinations and prescribed a series of diagnostic tests to assess his overall condition. He added that doctors also recommended a blood transfusion, which has already been administered. Today, doctors at a local hospital in London examined MQM founder leader @AltafHussain_90 prescribed various diagnostic tests including blood tests, ECG, CT scan, X-ray and ultrasound.#GetWellSoonAltafBhai Mr Altaf Hussain has since long been suffering from severe emotional… — Mustafa Azizabadi (@azizabadi) July 11, 2025 "Altaf Hussain has long been under severe emotional and psychological stress due to multiple factors — including the domestic and international political climate, several ongoing legal cases in London, and persistent financial hardship," he stated. Read More: Altaf Hussain charged under terrorism act in UK; granted conditional bail MQM Deputy Convener of the Coordination Committee Qasim Ali Raza also confirmed that Hussain's condition remains under close observation, and the medical team is continuing with further evaluations and treatment. Health Bulletin آج لندن کےمقامی اسپتال میں ڈاکٹروں نےجناب الطاف حسین کا چیک اپ کیااورمختلف ٹیسٹ تجویز کیے جن میں بلڈ ٹیسٹ، ECG, سی ٹی اسکین،ایکسرےاورالٹراساؤنڈ شامل ہیں۔ جناب الطاف حسین ملکی وبین الاقوامی صورتحال،لندن میں متعددمقدمات، شدید مالی مشکلات کی وجہ سے طویل عرصے سے 1/2 — Qasim Ali (@QasimalirazaAli) July 11, 2025 He requested supporters to pray for the recovery of their founding leader. "Altaf Bhai is going through a particularly difficult time with his health. We urge all supporters to keep him in their thoughts and prayers," the statement read, assuring that updates will be provided regularly. Hussain has lived in London since the early 1990s, where he sought asylum and was later granted British citizenship. Over the years, Pakistani authorities have repeatedly called for action against him over accusations of inciting violence through his speeches from abroad.
