Medical Tourism Across the World

8/4/2019 Medical Tourism Across the World

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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 region’s 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, Thailand’s prices are a bit higher than India’s. 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 bone-

marrow 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 country’s 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 Lanka’s 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 Israel’s medical capabilities. Patients come to Israel for

procedures such as heart surgery, bone marrow transplants, rehabilitation and oncological and





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 Panama’s 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.

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Medical Tourism Across the World