Medical Tourism Across the World

Medical Tourism is at present a common phenomenon in several parts of the world. Some of the most popular medical and healthcare travel regions abroad include South East Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Medical Tourism in Asia

Medical tourism is big business in Asia. The industry is forecasted to grow at a total annual growth rate of around 14% during 2009-2012. The countries dominating the regions medical tourism are Thailand, India and Singapore. These three giants had a combined market share of around 90% in 2008. To continue with statistics, the whole industry in Asia is expected to reach the overwhelming number of US$ 8.5 Billion by 2013.

The two main contesters for the medical tourism crown in the region are Thailand and India, with noticeable differences. On average, Thailands prices are a bit higher than Indias. However, the overall tourist experience is considered better in Thailand, and the service level somewhat higher. For a long time, Thailand was also holding the highest treatment number of foreign patients. But in recent years, the Thai market has declined somewhat.

India is known to be the cheapest country for medical tourism in the world, and is now also the leader in the field. The quality of staff, healthcare treatments and equipment equals other major destinations, which in unison with the lower costs makes it attractive. Many doctors are trained in the West, and are returning home to work at the newly built state of the art hospitals that are opening up all over the country. However, the introduction of a cosmetic surgery tax in 2009 has been disadvantageous for India. Nonetheless, in 2012, the value of medical tourism to India is expected to be as high as USD 2 billion. The most popular treatments sought in India are bonemarrow transplant, alternative medicine, eye surgery, orthopaedic surgery and cardiac bypass surgery.

However, there are many other countries in the region that try to get their share of the medical tourism pie. South Korea,Singapore and the Philippines all have government-backed medical tourism programs and are trying to catch up fast. For instance, both South Korea and Malaysia held large medical tourism fairs and congresses during 2010. South Korea takes this a step further by allowing foreign investors to operate hospitals in the countrys free economic zones. With an investment of USD 315 Million, the country is also planning to develop an island for medical tourism having all kinds of healthcare facilities available for foreigners. South Korea is popular for cancer treatment, cosmetic procedures, organ transplantation, joint care, infertility treatment and dental care. The medical tourism industry in Singapore has grown with 11.9 percent over the years 2004-2008. The country also has a dozen of hospitals and health centres with JCI accreditation.

Malaysia has a national accreditation healthcare scheme (MSQH), and many Malaysian hospitals are currently on their way of achieving international healthcare accreditation. English is widely spoken, and many members of the medical staff have been trained in the U.S. or the U.K.

Further east, China and Hong Kong are emerging fast as desirable destinations for healthcare and wellness. Many leading hospitals combine Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western medical

technology. Even though geographically small, Hong Kong has many leading hospitals, which early on received international accreditation.

Sri Lanka is another country in the region with a huge potential to develop medical tourism. In 2009, Sri Lankas private healthcare industry grew by 23 percent.

For patients that are comfortable with the idea of medical tourism, there are great savings to be made by going to Asia for treatment. For instance, the average cost of angioplasty cost about USD 6,000 in Malaysia, USD 11,000 in Singapore and a hefty USD 57,000 in the U.S.

Medical Tourism in Europe

Although many Europeans choose to travel quite far for international healthcare, numerous also decide to go for treatment to neighbouring countries. In Europe, Eastern Europe has emerged as a significant and popular destination for global healthcare. Its proximity to Western Europe, together with good infrastructure, language skills and technology has made East Europe very attractive.

For instance, many specialized travel agencies offer dental treatments that lack the high cost or the bureaucratic and long procedures in the patients home countries.

But patients not only go for dental and medical treatments. Many West Europeans travel to Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic for spa and wellness treatments. Both Prague and Budapest offer excellent thermal springs and spa facilities.

Germany has become a destination for international patients seeking advanced medical technology. The cost for medical treatment compete well with the rest of the European countries, and are significantly lower than those in the U.S. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, Germany has become an attractive destination for patients from the Middle East that have a hard time entering the U.S.

Medical Tourism in Africa

In Africa, South Africa is without doubt the largest destination for medical tourism or global healthcare. Many South African clinics offer packages where personal assistants, visits to therapists, trips to beauty salons, post-operative care in luxury hotels and safaris work as extra incentives. Many tour operators have gone as far as promoting medical safaris.

Some countries in North Africa have also recently jumped on the medical tourism wagon. Tunisia is one such country.

Medical Tourism in the Middle East

In spite of the political turmoil, Israel is emerging as a popular destination for medical tourists. The Israel Ministry of Tourism together with many medical services providers have set out to generate international awareness of Israels medical capabilities. Patients come to Israel for procedures such as heart surgery, bone marrow transplants, rehabilitation and oncological and

neurological treatments. But its not only medical procedures that entice tourists. Psoriasis patients flock around the Dead Sea, known for its therapeutic resorts.

Turkey has since many years attracted medical tourists from many different regions, such as the Middle East, Europe, the Balkans and the U.S. Turkey also has the highest number of JCI accredited healthcare institutions in the world except for the U.S.

Another important country is Jordan, where 250,000 international patients sought treatments in 2007. Many of these came from Palestine, Iraq and Sudan. Treatment cost is about 25-40% of the U.S. A study by the World Bank rated Jordan as number one in the region, and number five in the world for medical tourism.

Medical Tourism in North America

Even though one might think of North America as a continent where patients travel away from for medical tourism, this is not really true. Canada has recently entered the medical tourism field. In comparison to U.S. costs, health patients can save up to 50% on some health costs by crossing the border over to Canada.

And the U.S. itself also enjoys some inbound medical tourism. For instance, in 2008, around 70,000 medical tourists travelled to the U.S. to receive in-patient medical care. Several large medical centres and teaching hospitals offer international patient centres for foreign patients. Many of these also offer packages with arrangements for transport, financing, accommodation and medical care.

Medical Tourism in the Pacific and Australia

New Zealand is one of the newest destinations for medical tourism, and holds many benefits attractive to North American patients. The country has a sophisticated and comprehensive medical system and English speaking doctors where many holds international training. Many of the hospitals are internationally accredited and offer integrated care packages. While the service level holds highest international standard, the prices are vastly lower than the U.S.

Medical Tourism in Central America

Costa Rica is the chosen destination for inexpensive, high-quality medical care, and is particularly popular for plastic surgery. It is close for Americans, but more expensive than many of its counterparts.

Cuba was one of the countries that first entered the medical tourism field as a major provider. In 2006, nearly 20,000 patients came to the island for treatment. The most popular treatments in Cuba are cosmetic surgery, cancer treatment, eye surgery, joint replacement and addictions rehabilitation. The costs are up to 70% less than those found in the U.S. Cuba has hospitals catering for Cuban residents, and others that focus wholly on serving foreigners. At present, no Cuban facility has achieved JCI Accreditation.

The closest of the Latin American countries for Americans is of course Mexico, and many Americans now routinely cross the border to Mexico for healthcare. Some of the popular

specialties include plastic surgery, bariatric surgery and dental treatments. Dentist prices are usually one-fourth of what you would pay in the U.S, while other procedures usually cost a third of what they would in the U.S. Many American dentists, fearing a loss of business, have raised concern on the Mexican dental system and points out the poor service and the Mexican legal system that makes it almost impossible to sue Mexican doctors for malpractice. However, most patients travelling to Mexico are more than satisfied with the care and service.

With its close bonds to the U.S, Panama is another growing market for health tourism. The use of the American dollar as an official currency, the fact that most of Panamas doctors are bilingual, board certified and used to work with the same medical equipment and technology as Europe and the States are all factors in favour or Panama. The prices are about half of what you pay in Europe or the U.S. As to date, no Panamanian hospitals hold international accreditation.

Medical Tourism in South America

Medical tourism in South America is mainly cantered on Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil. Brazil has been a centre for plastic surgery for many years. The country is slightly pricier than other destinations, but has a well-developed healthcare industry on all areas.

Argentina has a flourishing health tourism market and ranks high for plastic surgery. However, its geographical position is a problem for many. Colombia also provides advanced care in cardiovascular and transplant surgery.