Cebu’s wellness haven redefines medical tourism in a first-of-its-kind world-class outpatient facility in the Central Visayas region
“Stay well, Ma’am Angie!” nurse Cielo’s voice rang bright and clear, as she bade me goodbye at the end of our visit to Maayo Well. This, however, was more than just lip service or a clever greeting in lieu of goodbye; this reverberated with all that makes Maayo Well tick—a desire, dedication, and drive to help people journey along the often elusive, yet oh-so-vital, path of wellness.
Better than cure
Maayo Well, initially known as Maayo Medical, in Mandaue City opened its doors to a realm of wellbeing in the last quarter of 2017. As part of a 4-star wellness facility, which includes the Maayo Hotel, this outpatient center is a healing haven like few others. With a focus on integrative and holistic approaches to health, Maayo Well is committed to providing state-of-the-art, preventive, patient-centered wellness – and to carry this out in the most comfortable, hospitable way possible. In fact, this very philosophy melds with the word maayo, the Cebuano word for good, fine, and well.
“We don’t simply cure the sick. We make people well,” shares William Liu, CEO of the Primary Group of Builders, developer of Maayo Hotel and Maayo Well. “Wellness is a state of being; it’s a journey, not a destination – and that is what we promote. Medicine is typically very ‘curative’ – if you don’t feel well, you pop a pill. But wellness is a long-term commitment. It’s a celebration of life, really.”
And, what better way to celebrate life than to revel in a sense of wellbeing that encompasses spirit, soul, and body? This is where the Maayo brand shines: it gives you the means to prevent or deal with whatever ails you, physically, while also affording you the opportunity to kick back, relax, and enjoy the finer things in life. Believe it or not, all without burning a hole in your pocket – prices of services and accommodations in the hotel and the medical center are fair and definitely well-worth your money.
World-class facility, Filipino hospitality
Above and beyond the hi-tech machines, latest equipment and cutting-edge facilities – all of which are in no short supply at Maayo Well – perhaps what struck me most about this Department of Health-accredited facility is this: it simply does not feel like a medical facility! With its expansive floor space, high ceilings, posh waiting areas, and pleasing design aesthetic, this outpatient center looks more like a luxury abode than a medical hub. And that’s a good thing – in fact, it’s a great thing. I don’t know about you, but I am not a big fan of the tension of cramped waiting zones and the glare of eggshell white walls that assaults your senses at most clinics. And, instead of that typically harsh and antiseptic smell you find at most hospitals, the deliciously invigorating aroma of lavender and hibiscus permeates the air at Maayo.
“We like to call it the UN-hospital,” Liu enthuses.
I agree: “un-hospital” it most certainly is; from the top of its airy ceilings, down to the super gracious Visayan-style hospitality of the center’s nurses – or, should I say, migos and migas, a word play on the vernacular for friend. At the facility, patients are guests, and nurses are friends; and each smiling-faced staff member of Maayo Well is an embodiment of gracious, highly-skilled service. Visayan hospitality is, after all, extremely difficult to top!
And, if you’re looking for privacy (and who doesn’t want privacy while undergoing some medical procedure or other), the center has hidden hallways, where guests and staff can move around and even get from the facility to the hotel, discreetly and inconspicuously. Plus, the center is merely 15 minutes from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, making it the perfect place for a healing holiday.
In a nutshell, Maayo Well is a fine example of medical tourism at its finest. In 2015, the Medical Tourism Association ranked the Philippines 8th in the world as a medical tourism destination; Maayo Well is poised to further raise that bar.
Paving the way to wellness
To make good on its mission of getting people on the road to wellness, Maayo Well offers a roster of services from a team of topnotch doctors and medical practitioners. At the core of each practice is the thrust toward prevention and education towards a healthier fuller lifestyle.
“We are not a hospital, so you won’t see a lot of very sick people – because our goal is to help you stay well,” shares Dr. Teodoro K. Gonzales, the center’s CEO. “We do not so much emphasize the curative side; why wait until you get sick? Let us help you do something now before you get sick. We are an integrative, holistic wellness center, and our goal is really to educate the public. We conduct lectures, we have support groups to help prevent disease. We help people minimize their risk of getting sick.”
On each of Maayo Well’s seven floors, guests will find services and treatments that pave the way to wellness: from nutrition counseling, aquatic rehabilitation, gym training and body toning, to restorative dentistry and rejuvenating facial procedures, from health drips and infusions to diagnostic procedures and scans, Maayo offers it all. An impressive lineup of specializations awaits guests, as well: ACES Eye Clinic, psychiatric services, a women’s health center, a full dental suite, ENT, cardiovascular care, diabetes care, a hi-tech laser and aesthetic center, men’s health, liver care, oncology, a pharmacy, and several more departments in the pipeline.
Yes, wellness can be elusive – but, thanks to Maayo Well, it is now within our reach. And we can grasp it in the utmost of comfort and convenience. Maayo, indeed.
Maayo Well and Maayo Hotel are at the corners of Plaridel St. and U.N. Ave., Mandaue City. Contact (032) 888-2662 or visit http://www.maayomedical.com/ for more information.
By ANGIE DUARTE
Photos By ANDIE SYYAP
