Global Health Asia-Pacific September 2020 September 2020 | Page 39

Top airline ready to
indemnify passengers
for COVID-19
The programme will provide financial protection
against medical and quarantine costs
Marijuana is the latest
medical attraction in
Thailand
Medical use of the crop gives the country an edge in healthcare
tourism
N
ew rules that will ease the cultivation and sale of marijuana
for medical use are poised to boost Thailand’s appeal as a
medical destination among international travellers.
The government has drafted a regulation that will allow
companies, medical practitioners, and farmers to grow and
trade the plant in a move the Deputy Prime Minister and Health
Minister Anutin Charnvirakul believes will help boost the
wellness and travel sectors, reported the Bangkok Post.
In 201�, Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia
to legalise the medical use of marijuana. The compound can be
useful for decreasing pain and in�ammation.
“Thailand is already a tourist destination for many foreigners,
and marijuana will be another attraction for the country and for
medical tourists,” Marut Jirasrattasiri, director-general of the
Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, told the
Bangkok Post.
Currently, the crop is only grown and dispensed by
government agencies and strictly regulated clinics. Recreational
use will remain illegal, with unauthorised users risking a 10-year
jail sentence.
“This will allow more patients to have access to medical
marijuana for their ailments and to increase awareness of
medical marijuana in Thailand,” Traisuree Taisaranakul, a
government spokeswoman, said in a statement.
Thailand is already one of the most popular medical tourism
destinations in the Asia-�acific and the world, with international
patients making up a big chunk of the patient base at many of
its big hospital groups.
Emirates is offering to cover COVID-19-related
medical and quarantine expenses for passengers
during their travels.
“Under the directive of His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister
and Ruler of Dubai, Emirates is proud to lead the way
in boosting confidence for international travel. We
know people are yearning to �y as borders around the
world gradually reopen, but they are seeking �exibility
and assurances should something unforeseen happen
during their travel,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed
Al Maktoum, Emirates group chairman and chief
executive, in a press release.
“Emirates has worked hard to put in place measures
at every step of the customer journey to mitigate risk
of infection, and we have also revamped our booking
policies to offer �exibility. We are now taking it to the
next level, by being the first in the industry to offer our
customers free global cover for COVID-19 medical
expenses and quarantine costs should they incur these
costs during their travel. It is an investment on our part,
but we are putting our customers first, and we believe
they will welcome this initiative.”
The �agship carrier of the United Arab �mirates
will provide its passengers with up to €150,000
(US$177,600) for medical expenses and €100 (US$118)
per day for 14 days to cover quarantine costs.
The offer is free of charge and automatically active
for all passengers who �y until October �1. It’s valid
for �1 days from the time they complete the first leg of
their trip.
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