EUROPE
THERMALISM WITHOUT BORDERS
The proposed EU Directive Commission
National Congress – The new European health, the cure for all the world without borders
the future development of Hydrotherapy – Levico Terme (Italy), May 8 to 9, 2009
In the December newsletter we informed you about the fact that the proposed directive on the rights of citizens, in terms of transnational health care, has been presented to Parliament.
The proposal is of strategic importance to our industry and presented to a body in reference to ENVI – Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.
Following the acquisition of the opinion of other committees, President John Bowis presented his draft relationship 22.11.1008 in the Assembly of the Commission on 01/12/2008.
The deadline for amendments was set on 15/01/2009, are 556 and examined 09,702 / 2009, and the adoption of the text is predictable 03.12.2009.
At the same time, the Working Group of the Council of the EU – of the Heads of State and Government of the EU – will begin to discuss the text during the meeting of 18 March 2009 and will take into account the conclusions of the Commission ENVI Parliament.
The approval by the European Parliament is scheduled for the last ten days of April and the EU Parliament and the Council should try to find a consensus at first reading, so that the directive will be adopted before the elections of June 7, 2009 for the renewal of the European Parliament.
This is the brief description of the work with respect to the policy that is carefully followed, that will radically change the right to health for all EU citizens.
OMTH and stubbornly Sith had participated in obtaining a «model Hydrotherapy» due to become a benchmark for the needs of other geographical areas.
Now we are witnessing the implementation of the «utopia» of a European spas, it opens for the 500 million citizens of the EU, which seems to be becoming a reality. The outlook in terms of development will be crucial.
The progress report of the European Parliament and the Council, and we hope the findings will also be discussed in the National Congress, «the New Health in Europe, the cure for all the world without borders – development prospects for thermalims» which It will take place in Levico Terme, Italy, on May 8-9, 2009, at our request and with the support of the Autonomous Province of Trento and the Municipality of Levico Terme.
EU members will participate in the Parliament, which directly followed the evolution of the adoption of the directive and the Italian members of Parliament and representatives of the Italian government, which are responsible for the most significant medical, thermal and tourism organizations.
The provisional agenda of Congress is presented below.
NEW HEALTH IN EUROPE
CURE FOR EVERYONE WITHOUT BORDERS
The prospects of development of Hydrotherapy
Congress, on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 May 2009 (Europe Day)
Congress Centre Grand Hotel Imperial – Levico Terme
Friday May 8, 2009
Topic: «The new development of spas in Europe»
15:00 Welcome
– Tiziano Mellarini, a member of the local council of Tourism of the Province of Trento
– Remo Libardi, a member of the local council of Tourism of the Municipality of Levico Terme
– Guido Bombagli – The president of the National Association of Municipalities the Thermal ANCOT
– Paola Gruppo – Thermal World Forum – Abano
– Donatella Bonmassar – President of the spa town of Levico and Vetriolo
15:30
Antonio Preziosi, Matteo Marzotto interviewing – ENIT President
«The outlook for tourism related spa treatments in Italy and Europe»
ADDRESSES 4.30 p.m.
– Ennio Gori
OMTH President (World Organization Cures)
– Giuseppe Albertin
President of the National Commission of thermal Activities Federalberghi
– Gianni Gottardo
Presidento the Centro Studi Pietro D’Abano
– Alceste Santuari
University of Trento – Counsellour ANCOT
18:30 – Debate and conclusions
Saturday May 9, 2009: «Europe Day»
Theme «Freedom of cure health in Europe in the field of traditional medicine»
09 a.m. – Welcome
– Carlo Stefenelli
Mayor of Levico Terme
– Lorenzo Dellai
President of the Autonomous Province of Trento
– Senator Giacomo Santini
– Giuseppe Zumiani
Chairman of the Board of Physicians, and Odonthoiatricians Surgers province of Trento
9.30 – Speech by Sen. Maurizio Sacconi (*)
Politicies Minister of Labour, Health and Social
10 a.m. INDRODUCTORY SPEECH
On. Paolo Costa
Chairman of the Committee on Transport and Tourism of the European Parliament
10:30 a.m. – SPEECH OVERVIEW
PROPOSED DIRECTIVE ON THE RIGHTS OF CITIZENS REGARDING THE TRANSNATIONAL HEALTH CARE
– On. Iles Braghetto
MEP
SPEECHES 11.00 a.m.
– Representative of the EU Commission – Stefano Vettorazzi (DG SANCO)
– Ugo Rossi – Member of the Local Health Council of the Province of Trento
– Gios Bernardi – President of the Foundation Pezcoller
The Pezcoller Foundation and the prize: a good example worthful promotion and support international research on oncology in Trentino
– Napoleone Ferrara – Oncologist, winner of the 2009 Award Pezcoller
«Welcome speech by prof. Napoleone Ferrara, winner of the 2009 Award Pezcoller»
– Amedeo Bianco – President of the National Federation of Councils of Physicians, surgeons and Odonthoiatricians
24:30 Debate
1.00 pm – Conclusions: Approval of the «Table of Levico Terme»
Congress moderator – Antonio Preziosi, Journalist Parliament – Giornale Radio Rai
Promoters:
– Autonomous Province of Trento
– City of Levico Terme
Sponsored by
Presidency of the Council of Ministers
University of Trento
National Federation of Councils of Physicians, surgeons and Odonthoiatricians
OMTH – World Organization for Cures
ANCOT – National Association of Municipalities Thermal
EU Commission
Scientific Committee:
Giuseppe Zumiani
Alberto Staffieri
Carlo Stefenelli
Gios Bernardi
Alceste Santuari
Media Partner:
Wave Top
thanks to:
Levico and Vetriolo Thermal Resort
ENIT – Italian for Tourism Body
Thermal World Forum – Abano Montegrotto
Council of Physicians, surgeons and Odonthoiatricians of the Province of Trento
Hotel Owners Association Trento
The owners of Hotel Unione Trento
Hotel Owners Association Levico Terme
Hotel Owners Association Abano – Montegrotto
Centro Studi Pietro D’Abano – Abano Terme
Pezcoller Foundation – Trento
The next National Congress in Levico is fundamentally important and can be considered as conclusive step of the two international conferences held in Levico Terme (Italy) 14-15-16 October 2005 – Cuntis (Spain) 11/12/13 January 2008.
This is the result of the great effort made SITH OMTH and often alone, between skepticism and lack of interest of many people. Therefore, we are pleased and proud to see that the possibility of the «Strategic Model» will be designed and planned, that will become a reality.
Sincerily We look forward to welcoming you all in Levico Congress on 8-9 May 2009.
Andres Campos Ennio Gori
President SITH President OMTH
In memory of a founding member of OMTH Enrico Chiostri
The memory of Enrico Chiostri is an occation devote our thoughts to our friend, the director, a founding member of international organizations that made the history of spas in all Contintents.
He born in Italy in Pescia, a cozy little town in Tuscany. After studying engineering, while still very young, he became involved in the direction of the spa town of Montecatini and
It became the most important point for large deployments that marked the growth of the most famous spa town in Italy reference. But the sight of Enrico Chiostri was longsighted and he was able to leave his mark on the development of spas, not only in Italy but also in the different continents. He believed that those who were involved in the technical development of a thermal resort, had to gather in a partnership for the exchange of experiences could lead to a cultural maturation and therefore strategic growth of the entire field. In 1959 in Italy, on the basis of their ideas, the Italian Association of Technical Hydrothermal AITI was created.
The partnership involved hygienists, architects, doctors, hydrologists, hydrogeologists out by leading academics.
The Italian experience, thanks to the impetus given by Enrico Chiostri, held then in France, Germay, Latin America, the Soviet Union, Japan, Spain and other nations.
In order to coordinate this work and disseminate their results in other states, the International Society of Hydrothermal Technique is foudned, the Sith. Among the promoters are the Russian Ivan Ivanovich Koslov, Minister Cures and Leisure of the Soviet Union, Marcial Campos Farina authoritarian figure of Spanish spas, Adrien Bartholomew, leader of the French persinality Hydrotherapy However, Enrico Chiostri has been found that this does not It was enough and had no power to determine the creation of an organization that had to be involved in the collection not only technical but also in implementing a broader strategy for the development of hydrotherapy aspects.
It was therefore important that the different states realized the fact that Cures is a science and therefore had to be inserted between the services of the National Health Services. And that was also important for the growth and welfare of all commuities element.
Therefore, neessary go beyond an elite structure and open to one that could benefit all citizens. The November 27, 1977 during a solemn general assembly in Chaudfontaine in Belgium, it was founded OMTH. This initiative was approved by the World Tourism Organization in Madrid., The OMTH currently has representatives from 34 member countries
three contintents supporting contacts and cooperation with the different units of Hydrotherapy in every nation.
I want to remind everyone of the current session of the Spanish King Juan Carlos during which the «Table of Cures» it was delivered and approved by him.
The OMTH thanks to its presence on three continents, is an organization that allows the investigation of new solutions from the legislative, economic and cultural points of view, and paves the way for projects whose importance is obvious.
SITH had OMTH and Enrico Chiostri as a ranking member, was elected and reelected for long periods, as President and Secretary General.
Chiostri Enrico was able to practice as an architect of genius, major initiatives in different countries and continents, and became benchmarks of growth of thermal industry and thought and created organizations for the development of all continents thermalims . This effort is difficult to be doubled. Enrico has bee for all of us, for me in particular, who shared many years of life with him, a teacher of life and is still a role model for those who want to support the growth ofthermalism Enrico thorugh his work honored its commitment and mission until his death in his home in Pescia on April 3, 2008.
So, with real emotion, we want to remind all those who have known, as a warning and continued participation in a work that can not be wasted.
Ennio Gori
President OMTH
Situation in Japan
1. Hot springs in Japan
In 2007, there were 3,139 centers and 28,090 hot spring sources in Japan. The water temperature was 42 degrees Celsius in more media sources. Characters common spring in Japan were: 1. salt springs, Springs 2.Simple 3.sulfur, amounting to 2/3 of all sources. A total of 135,872,728 customers was.
2. Hot Springs for medical use
In Japan, balneotherapy itself is not compatible with health insurance, but is covered by insurance as physical therapy (rehabilitation) where the use of hot spring water is not necessary. We use hot springs as a therapeutic method for patients with diabetes mellitus, respiratory diseases, musculoskeletal disorders and cerebrovascular disorders and so on. In these cases, under water (pool filled with hot spring water) exercise is the most effective way to improve the conditions of patients tool.
Unlike European countries, drinking cure is not common in Japan. Not many people choose to drink hot spring water to your health at your own risk (without prescription).
3. Hot springs for relaxation and well-being
Many Japanese like to visit centers of hot springs and bathe in hot springs at the weekend and holidays. Day trip or an overnight trip in the morning is the most common pattern. The purpose of these trips is not for medical purposes, but to relax away from the stressful everyday life. Especially women in their 20s to 40 spend time having a good meal and undergo a beauty treatment. They are looking for wellness.
4. Thermal waters for health promotion
Today, the hot springs are applied to the activity of health promotion, especially in middle and old age. Participate in the «school of health» where they take classes on disease prevention, nutrition, consumption, etc balneotherapy and experience a brief exercise and / or water exercise in hot springs if available. Before returning home, take a hot spring bath. It is reported that the national medical expenses for the elderly declined in several cities that use thermal waters for the activity of health promotion.
Status of the hot springs in Japan is gradually moving from balneotherapy to promote health and wellness.
Professor Yoshinori Ohtsuka
Hokkaido University
The uniqueness of the thermal sludge of the Terme Euganee Spa Resort
Abano Terme Abano Terme
The origin of sludge
Sludge, also called peloids are the perfect blend of two basic elements: thermal water and clay minerals. Other natural organic elements have to be taken into account: bacteria, algae and protozoa. The composition of mud varies strongly according to the places of origin of water and its maturation, which usually takes place in artificial reservoirs or natural craters.
The thermal mud used in the spas of the Terme Euganee, and precisely in the spas of Abano – Montegrotto – Battaglia is a particular type of clay: it is the result of a partnership between a type of clay extracted in a controlled manner from the bottom of two thermal lakes in the areas around Arquà Petrarca and Lispida, and thermal activation enpowering and water action. This purified clay and is then rests in tanks dedicated to «mature».
The mud rests there for two months with a continuous flow of hot water in maturation tanks, allowing the development of the «biological» component. In fact, during this process a progressive colonization of the clay by numerous species of algae (diatoms and blue-green algae) and cyan bacteria (Phormidium) that exist in the eco-system that makes the thermal basin of Abano – Montegrotto – Battaglia . This particular process allows the creation of a thermal mud enriched with the ETS-05 cyan bacteria, detected for the first time in the sludge of the Terme Euganee and now deposited at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. This bacterium is capable of producing some Glico lipid substances with a high level of anti-inflammatory activity, marked by the lack of side effects, even after many treatments.
Maturation of sludge
According to studies by the Center for Studies Pietro D’Abano Terme in Abano Terme and Montegrotto, changes related to the maturation process, are phenomena that are strictly specific to each unique type of thermal mud, which can not be repeated out of a reagent specific scheme, which is based on three micro-parameters: water, mud and virgin ecosystem, affecting all biological parameters (growth of algae and microorganisms-) and chemical parameters of the system . Research conducted by the University of Rome La Sapienza explains how mature mud is a balanced system, where you can detect the components of the virgin mud, water and biological species that provide habitat for the maturation tanks. This habitat is affected by the eco-system (such as pollen, spores of algae and microorganisms). Therefore, its features can not be reproduced outside a given territory. The mud becomes specific and different from other sludges maturing in different ecosystems. In order to prevent alteration of the quality of sludge, the parameters that have contributed to the creation of mature mud can not be changed. It is also important to pay proper attention to where the mud mature mineral water. If different water added or replaced the specific mineral water with other types of water, which could cause a profound change that would affect the quality of sludge, thus determining profound changes when the sludge comes into direct contact with the skin.
In order to protect the uniqueness of the Terme Euganee thermal mud, the Italian researchers presented the patent for EPO and Germany the public health system has a «singularity» statement on the mud of Abano Montegrotto Battaglia.
A quality control is also implemented in all heat complex in order to ensure the therapeutic application of the «mature mud». The certification is released by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of Biology at the University of Padua.
Alberto Lalli
Dir. Centro Studi Pietro D’Abano Termali
THERMAL SITUATION IN ARGENTINA
Only fifteen years ago, the exploitment of the hot springs in the northeast and east-central parts of Argentina seemed utopian and impossible. Today, this region offers state of the art spas and visitors can enjoy not only the traditional range of tourist activities, but also a wonderful opportunity to take advantage of new spas.
We are now witnessing a significant and steady development of spas, both north-east and east-central areas of Argentina. This development is due to the presence of sediment basins containing different levels of water. Fifteen years ago, this region did not even know the word «Hydrotherapy» and that there was surface thermal activity but today we have seen the development of many therapeutic-recreational tourism, creating new economic opportunities for the entire region, as it is happening in the provinces of Misiones, Corrietes, Entre Rios, Santa Fe and Buenos Aires.
Hydrotherapy development stems from the combination of two fundamental elements that are the discovery of watersheds and presence around a densely populated city like Buenos Bueons and the surrounding area, where 18 million people live.
The first drilling for detecting this resource in the region took place in 1994 and the thermal center first opened in 1997. For ten new spa centers have been created in different places and drilling twelve points where the centers and projects new ones are being built, with different degrees of development. Other studies are conducted, in order to determine the depth of the water layers in order to continue drilling.
Nowadays health tourism in Argentina reached a high level of development. This type of alternative tourism offers the opportunity to live outdoors, play sports and leisure activities that give visitors the opportunity to spend some time away from the daily routine. The thermal resources of the north-eastern and central-eastern Argentina undoubtedly offer a great opportunity, both for tourists and for the business through the creation of alternative businesses, such as those working in the real estate, hotels, food, etc. This perspective sector, together with the thermal potential of the area, allows the heat flows to be the economic engine of economic development in the region.
Prof. Abel Pesce
