{"id":28907,"date":"2019-11-08T05:47:30","date_gmt":"2019-11-08T05:47:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/drprem.com\/medical-tourism\/?p=28907"},"modified":"2020-06-05T15:17:38","modified_gmt":"2020-06-05T09:47:38","slug":"why-honest-critical-and-constructive-journalism-is-important-in-medical-tourism-an-open-conversation-between-renowned-journalist-paul-bradbury-and-dr-prem-jagyasi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drprem.com\/medical-tourism\/why-honest-critical-and-constructive-journalism-is-important-in-medical-tourism-an-open-conversation-between-renowned-journalist-paul-bradbury-and-dr-prem-jagyasi\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Honest, critical and constructive journalism is important in Medical Tourism – An open conversation between renowned journalist Paul Bradbury and Dr Prem Jagyasi"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\"\"<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

The 3rd<\/sup> Adriatic Health, Sport & Tourism Investment Forum which was attended by Croatian ministers and leaders of medical tourism industry set the perfect platform for intensive and open discussions between the stakeholders. Dr Prem Jagyasi grabbed the opportunity to interview<\/strong> <\/em>the award-winning journalist Paul Bradbury – CEO of the Total Croatia News<\/strong><\/em><\/a> (TCN).<\/p>\n

We come across experts\u2019 opinions and views about various aspects of medical tourism. Why not we see it from a journalist\u2019s perspective? It might bring out something new. Total Croatia News is a prominent online news portal covering a range of subjects related to Croatia. Since it is published in English, it enjoys a huge readership in Croatia and beyond.<\/p>\n

Growth of the medical tourism industry \u2013 how it is being projected by media? Are we getting a true picture?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Paul\u2019s<\/p>\n

Image Source : total-croatia-news.com<\/p>\n

Innovations are driving the growth of this market. New destinations are emerging. A competitive scenario has developed where everybody is striving to get a bigger slice of this multi-billion dollar industry. Amidst this, medical tourism is missing quality journalism. The exact picture is not showing. Paul\u2019s writings caught Dr. Prem\u2019s attention. He found quality journalism in TCN medical tourism reporting.<\/p>\n

Medical tourism is still very much disorganized and uncoordinated. Impediments are limiting its further progress. Can constructive and credible journalism help this industry move ahead? Many such issues came up during the conversation.<\/p>\n

This health investment forum has been of immense importance for Croatian niche tourism markets. Paul was not hesitant in putting in his critical opinions regarding Croatia\u2019s prospects in medical tourism drawing a fair comparison with other successful examples.<\/p>\n

Words that can create an impact on medical tourism journalism:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Ognjen<\/p>\n

Image Source : total-croatia-news.com<\/p>\n

Paul took to writing on medical tourism with a serious purpose. When asked about it, he answered, \u201cIt happened by chance. Two years ago, I got an invitation from Ognjen Bagatin, the CEO of Bagatin Clinic to visit his clinic and write on it and the emerging Croatian medical tourism. Before this, I was not even aware of Croatia\u2019s potential in this sector\u201d.<\/p>\n

With an eagerness to explore something new, Paul visited Ognjen\u2019s clinic. \u201cI was honestly stunned\u201d as Paul expressed. Ognjen has been the pioneer in putting Croatian medical tourism in the global map.\u00a0 He not only highlighted Bagatin clinic and its success but also upheld Croatia Medical Tourism<\/strong><\/em><\/a> as a whole.<\/p>\n

Paul further visited St. Catherine\u2019s Specialty Hospital, one of the leading hospitals in the world and Svjetlost Eye Clinic, the regional market leaders with a great success record of performing tens of thousands of eye surgeries in the last decade or so. The surgeries are surprisingly painless and take hardly a few minutes. No hospital stay is required but a next day check-up.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith globally recognized eye surgeons, state-of-the-art facilities and treatment costs available at a fraction of cost, I find there is no reason why foreigners will not select this clinic to fix their eye problems. They can easily come here, get their job done and happily spend some of their savings holidaying in Croatia\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was simply blown away by this great possibility of Health Tourism in Croatia. I can see that Croatia is sitting on an unearthed goldmine\u201d was his candid remarks. Dental, cosmetic surgery, dermatology, plastic surgery, stem cell treatments and the only center in Europe to offer the revolutionary OneOme RightMed pharmacogenomic test center co-founded by Mayo Clinic, Croatia has lots of surprises in store. Countless talented specialists are doing ground-breaking jobs here.<\/p>\n

If you talk of top six dermatological clinics in Europe, you find three of them in Zagreb. How many can imagine cutting-edge stem cell therapy in Croatia? Yes. It exists in the St. Catherine\u2019s Specialty Hospital, known as the center of excellence.<\/p>\n

He started attending conferences and meeting people to get deep into facts and figures. The more he researched more he got convinced of Croatia\u2019s potential. It is at par with other developed countries.<\/p>\n

During the conversation, he was quick to add, \u201cI heard from you first Croatia can easily make into top 10 spots in global medical tourism, provided it developed in an organized manner\u201d. This was during the last year\u2019s edition of this forum.<\/p>\n

Given Croatia\u2019s wealth of resources and expertise, Paul felt the need of honest, constructive and proactive journalism – words that can make things move and change the scenario dramatically.<\/p>\n

His thoughts on critical journalism:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"conversation<\/p>\n

Image Source : total-croatia-news.com<\/p>\n

Critical analysis is crucial in journalism, the need to view things from different perspectives. In medical tourism, it should not be different. Paul says, \u201cI want a better country\u201d. Croatia being very close to Europe is affordable both for healthcare support and vacationing. To him, \u201cThe word \u2018potential\u2019 is very annoying\u201d. Sadly, too much is being said about Croatia\u2019s \u2018potential\u2019 but little is done to realize it.<\/p>\n

He was highly critical of the Zagreb Tourism Board hiring experts to frame a medical travel development strategy that led to heavy drainage of resources but yielded nothing useful so far. He pointed out its loopholes backed by extensive analysis.<\/p>\n

The lackadaisical attitude of officials happily continuing with their \u2018status quo\u2019 mode is another big impediment. How about creating a Croatia Medical Tourism Program? Nobody thinks of that. As a part of constructive journalism, these are the issues to be raised and addressed to make health tourism in Croatia a great success.<\/p>

\n\"\"<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n

He feels a great opportunity lies ahead for Croatia which if missed may be missed forever. If you have wrong people in crucial decision-making positions, things can never work as expected. When other European countries with lesser potential are putting up a great show in medical tourism, why can\u2019t Croatia? Qualified and seasoned professionals should be hired in the right place to make the \u2018Pearl of Adriatic\u2019 shine above others.<\/p>\n

Global medical tourism is polarized \u2013 with so much potential but highly disoriented<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Sherene<\/p>\n

Image Source : total-croatia-news.com<\/p>\n

\u201cI see the industry is very polarized, very much disjointed full of self- interest full of great potential\u201d, he says. Everybody is engaged in projecting themselves but not in coordination with each other. He puts his efforts in giving constructive ideas referring successful medical tourism models in different parts of the world.<\/p>\n

On his journey in medical tourism writing, he came across Sherene Azil, the CEO of MHTC, Malaysia. In Paul\u2019s words, \u201cAn amazing woman\u201d. Even before he met Sherene, he had no idea of medical tourism in Malaysia.<\/p>\n

He was amazed to see her presentation and know of her endeavors that put Malaysia at the top in the global medical tourism map. Interviewing her, he got further insights into how a successful medical tourism model can be created like the brand Malaysia.<\/p>\n

To him, Malaysia stands as the best example in forming a well-knit and well-coordinated industry where Brand Malaysia has always been in the focus not individual clinics\/hospitals. Paul, on his trip to Malaysia, visited the National Heart Clinic and other private clinics. All are functioning in coordination.<\/p>\n

He was impressed with the MHTC hash tag #Together We Win. This says all, their unity and well-coordinated effort between the public and private sectors. He feels that this \u2018coming together\u2019 scenario is missing in Croatia. It would perhaps take too much to put aside private interests.<\/p>\n

He talked of seven dental clinics in Budapest jointly working towards uplifting the brand of Budapest. It doesn\u2019t matter which clinic is getting more business, ultimately it is coming to Budapest. That matters. \u201cIt is so simple but so impossible\u201d, laughs Paul. \u201cIf seven clinics in Budapest can do it, why can\u2019t a city, why can\u2019t a country do it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Poland\u2019s<\/p>\n

He was also not aware of Poland\u2019s medical tourism venture. He is all praise for Poland\u2019s presentation in this year\u2019s forum presented by Magdalena Rutkowaska.\u00a0 The objective of the Adriatic forum is to bring to light the best examples and practices of medical tourism. Poland\u2019s presentation truly served that purpose. The way this east European country succeeded in creating a sustainable medical tourism business model pooling EU funds is worth emulating.<\/p>\n

Even though the Malaysian model has proved to be a great success, he feels there would be few countries to repeat the same. It is not easy to rise above self-interest. In the discussion, he repeatedly stressed on cooperation and coordination. That is the key to realize full potential.<\/p>\n

The crux of the conversation, keeping aside internal conflicts and competition, emphasis should be to develop the destination brand that would benefit all stakeholders. This is where the medical tourism industry is lagging most.<\/p>\n

Carving a special niche in journalism:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Bagatin-Clinic\"<\/p>\n

His writings on medical tourism are focused on Croatia\u2019s opportunities and strengths with a deep analysis of how things are at present and how it can be made better. As a journalist, Paul feels it is his responsibility to put clear-cut opinions in his writings.<\/p>\n

He goes on stating, \u201cWith resources in plenty, little attention has been given to this sector baring few private clinics. They are shouldering the load of building the Croatian brand in the international market by their efforts\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pace at which private clinics are upgrading themselves doesn\u2019t match with that of the officials. There is a clear lack of vision.\u201dThe sluggish approach of local officials is blocking the development of Croatian medical tourism.<\/p>\n

He shares a similar opinion as Dr. Prem regarding the lack of quality and credible journalism in this sector. \u201cEvery piece of news, articles and information shared has a specific agenda behind it. You can never be sure which one is true and which one is not\u201d.<\/p>\n

This is not good for this sunshine industry. Erroneous and exaggerated information\/data misleads leading to undesirable outcomes. It does not serve anybody\u2019s purpose. Paul feels, \u201cHonest, critical and constructive journalism is important for this growing industry\u201d. People should know what is going on and where things are not working.<\/p>\n

Awarded with the Medical Travel Media Award for quality journalism on Aug\u201919<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Medical<\/p>\n

Image Source : total-croatia-news.com\/<\/p>\n

The Medical Travel Media award bestowed by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council to Paul came as a great recognition. Malaysia is the first country to host a special event to recognize media contribution to the medical travel industry. Paul feels it is a huge honor to win it, the first international award for TCN.<\/p>\n

He says, \u201cI see it as a huge industry. I see there is a definite need of honest journalism.\u201d<\/p>\n

The dedicated TCN Section:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

To keep up with his commitment to quality and credible journalism, Paul opened a dedicated section on medical tourism in TCN. All his writings rank high in Google search rankings. In such a short time span, this is incredible! This shows people are eager to know of medical tourism in Croatia. And Croatia, as mentioned by a renowned personality in the meet can be the Heart of Europe in medical tourism surpassing Germany, Hungary, Turkey and others.<\/p>\n

\n

\r\n \"\"<\/a><\/p>\r\n