Bancha Lamsam, the former chairman of kasikorn Bank and M. R. Bajarisan Jumbala, M.D. Had an innovative vision of health care. They wanted to provide the most advanced medical diagnostics, treatment, and prevention through a holistic approach, thus caring for the emotional health as well as the physical. And so, in 1979 was born the Samitivej Hospital, and within a very short time new standards had been set for health care in Bangkok.
Samitivej Sukhumvit, Ease of Accessibility
Situated just off Sukhumvit Road and accessed from the Tong Lo BTS station in central Bangkok, Thailand’s Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital is convenient for both residents and visitors to the kingdom. For many years, this establishment has been recognized as the city’s finest hospital and held up as the standard that all others aspire to.
Not only is the whole of the capital within its catchment area, but in fact, patients, both new and returning, travel from across the country to take advantage of the unequaled treatment and care the hospital offers. There is also easy access to Samitivej Sukhumvit for international visitors via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Continued National and International Accreditation
The hospital holds the Prime Minister’s Award for ‘Most Recognized Service’ and accreditation by the Hospital Accreditation Board of Thailand. Both indigenous Thais and resident expats have been benefiting from the hospital unequaled level of diagnostics and treatment since it opened its doors in 1979.
In addition to this, Samitivej Hospital has become one of the world’s best-known destinations for medical tourism. Within southeast Asia it is, singularly, the leading beacon for medical tourists. Throughout the world, Samitivej Sukhumvit is renowned for its quality of care and value for money.
The Samitivej International Approach
Every element of function within the hospital takes an international approach to its operation, from administration to medical care of any kind. Patients and visitors from abroad have access to 24-hour assistance and the hospital has its own dedicated immigration advice and assistance office within the hospital. The specifically trained staff have the knowledge and expertise to assist foreign visitors with all their immigration and visa problems and queries.
With English speaking staff throughout the organization, Samitivej recognize the absolute importance of effective communication within any medical establishment. Not only do they have speakers of different languages, but they will also provide, free of charge, interpreters of other languages to ensure patient and staff communication is in no way ambiguous or misunderstood.
Medical tourism has risen exponentially over the last 20 years, and from now until 2024 the growth is projected to average 8.8% across South East Asia. With Thailand being the leader in this field, its share is very likely to be well above the projected average. It is the likes of Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital that drive this expansion and keep its, and the nation’s, growth share at the upper end of the projected figures.
In Thailand, Samitivej Hospital is the only medical organization to be ranked in the world’s top ten medical centers for medical tourism, as rated by the Medical Travel Quality Alliance (MTQUA). This recognized review board rates hospitals in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas for their levels of excellence in treating and caring for medical tourists from all over the world.
The hospital’s global recognition doesn’t stop with the MTQUA. Its excellence is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the quality of its general medical excellence, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for its exceptional care in pediatrics. The hospital also became the first to be acknowledged, jointly by the WHO and UNICEF with ‘Mother and Baby-Friendly Hospital’ status. Samitivej hospital also became the first to be recognized outside Japan with an award from the Japan Council for Quality Health Care (JCQHC).
This year at the Global Health and Travel Award Ceremony, Samitivej Sukhumvit received yet more accolades for its service. It has received the 2019 Women’s Health & Wellness Service Provider of the Year award, and the 2019 Gastroenterology Service Provider of the Year Award.
From the moment you enter the Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, be it as a patient or visitor, its quality is apparent, as is its anxiety-reducing ambient. It sports 87 examination suits and more than 1,200 professional caregivers, all of whom are dedicated to the hospital’s vision of providing unequaled care for the young and old from across the world.
All the medical staff are trained to Western standards with their skills continually evolving with the knowledge and advances of medical science. The most up-to-date and proven techniques are employed throughout the hospital and in all areas of medical care.
Samitivej: Science, Technology and People
The hospital is equipped to cater for all manner of medical issues. From pre, and post-natal care, gynecology, pediatrics, cardiovascular disease, cancer treatment, organ transplant and many other straight forward and complex medical conditions.
Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital not only ensures that it practices the most advance techniques in all areas of medicine but has been active in advancing medical knowledge. The hospital specialists in genetics were part of a team that recently identified 600 genetic disorders that can be passed from parents to the baby. From identifying these disorders new techniques have been developed which help to ensure parents have a healthy baby.
Samitivej hospital recognizes that it can only be as good as its staff. So, it’s not surprising that they employ the best professionals in every field of operation within the hospital. Their reputation and their staff, are one and the same thing. Staff need to be happy in their position to work for them to perform at their best and for the employer to maintain continuity and longevity of service. Samitivej Hospital’s reputation as a quality employer has been recognized by gaining ‘Thailand’s Best Employer’ award.
The vision of 40 years ago by Bancha Lamsam and M. R. Bajarisan Jumbala, M.D. to revolutionize Thailand’s medical care with their all-encompassing holistic view has pushed Thailand to the upper echelons of international medical recognition. The word “Samitivej” literally means “Assembly of doctors”. But the Samitivej Hospital is now much more than that. It is an innovator, a leader and a beacon of achievement within the medical world.