APEC Seminar to Improve Consumer Health Services

A proposal by the Philippines to hold a seminar in health services trade was unanimously endorsed by APEC's Group on Services (GOS) today. The seminar would be an initial step in addressing concerns that globalization has accelerated more rapidly than has the ability of economies to adjust.

At present, advances in technology have led to trends in telemedicine and the temporary movement of patients and professionals. The health service trade has thus become a more prevalent industry but questions have been raised as to the potential for misunderstandings between the trade and health sectors. Moreover, estimating the potential benefits and risks of trade liberalization in health services has become more convoluted.

The newly-endorsed seminar is to equip the participants to develop National Action Plans, which could serve as a roadmap for the liberalization of trade in health services. Public health officials will deepen their understanding of the implications of trade liberalization in health services and learn from the experiences and policy responses throughout the region. Trade negotiators will have access to the best evidence on the potential benefits and costs to their respective economies in liberalizing specific service sectors.

Ultimately, consumers of medical services would benefit from better healthcare, resulting from policy measures put into place by enlightened public health officials.

For APEC, however, Health Security is a high priority. Last year in Sydney, Leaders declared that "healthy populations contribute to economic growth and development" and the APEC Life Sciences Innovation Forum directly links success in the industry with "the proper policy environment, public-private partnership, human capacity and efficient and effective delivery of patient focused products and services."