Singapore - Healthcare tourism is soaring in Singapore with Raffles Medical Group's (RMG) hospital arm posting a 25-per-cent increase in foreign cases over last year, RMG said Tuesday.

The increase coincides with record second-quarter revenue of 50.6 million Singapore dollars (37 million US dollars,) up 22.3 per cent from the corresponding period of 2007.

Despite a slowdown in other tourism, Dr Loo Choon Yong said that healthcare tourists are a "special group."

"Unlike mainstream tourists, most foreigners with healthcare needs usually do not put off seeking medical treatments, irrespective of the economic situation," The Business Times quoted group executive chairman Loo as saying.

Raffles Hospital has seen growth from newer markets including Russia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Mongolia in addition to Malaysia and Indonesia, traditional markets for healthcare in the city-state.

Loo noted an increase of Britons being treated at the hospital. (dpa)