Medical Tourism saves you Money, but Which Country is Best?
Medical Tourism saves you Money, but Which Country is Best?
Increasingly, people from the industrialized countries of the
world are seeking out places where they can both enjoy a
vacation and obtain medical treatment at a lower price, than in
their country of residence.
Medical tourists are increasing in numbers, but which country is
best for medical tourism? Medical Tours to India
For medical tourism, India is a relative newcomer, but recent
estimates indicate that the number of foreign patients is
increasing by 30 percent each year.
India has world-class medical facilities, with excellent staff
in all areas of medical care. All Indian hospitals are equipped
with the latest electronic and medical diagnostic equipment.
India also has the technological sophistication and
infrastructure to maintain its market lead. Indian
pharmaceuticals for example, meet the stringent requirements of
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
India's quality of care is world class, competing with any other
industrialized country.
Indian medical centres provide services that are in fact
uncommon elsewhere. For example, hip surgery patients in India
can have a hip-resurfacing procedure, in which damaged bone is
taken away and replaced with chrome alloy, an operation that
costs less and causes fewer traumas than the traditional
replacement operations carried out in western countries.
Medical Tours to South East Asia
South East Asia offers some great advantages for medical tourism
with Thailand being the main destination and the main rival to
India.
The Thai medical profession is probably the most advanced in the
region and successive governments have invested in ensuring the
necessary education and training.
Many doctors undertake specialist training abroad, particularly
in the United States and Europe and are at least as well
qualified as physicians in these countries.
Singapore and Malaysia also have well developed medical
facilities.
Medical Tours to the East Indies
For North American patients, the East Indies and Costa Rica in
particular, are the chosen destinations for medical tourism.
Costa Rica provides close, inexpensive, high-quality medical
care without a trans-Pacific flight. Cost wise though, it is
more expensive for medical tourists generally, particularly from
destinations outside of the USA.
Medical Tourism in South America
Medical tourism in South America is mainly cantered on Brazil,
which has been a centre for plastic surgery for many years.
With a large influx of medical tourists particularly from the
USA, Brazil has built a well-developed healthcare industry in
all areas.
Although slightly more pricey than many other destinations, you
are assured of good quality healthcare in Brazil - one of the
most beautiful countries on earth.
Argentina also has a flourishing medical tourism industry, but
its geographical position is a problem for many.
The Rest
Medical tourism is growing in other countries with Eastern
Europe, Africa, and Dubai entering the industry.
Dubai will be providing the Dubai Healthcare City by 2010 and
this clinic will be the largest international medical centre
between Europe and South East Asia. Including a new branch of
the Harvard Medical School, it will be prestigious, but aimed at
the medical tourist with more money.
Eastern Europe and Africa are emerging markets, but probably
have some way to go to match the healthcare services available
in countries such as India.
India for Medical Tourism
There are many choices for medical tourists seeking overseas
healthcare and many destinations have reasons to recommend them,
but overall for medical tourists, it will be India that will be
the most attractive. Why? Simply, India has wide variety of
treatments, world-class hospitals, and medical staff, is
inexpensive, and offers a beautiful holiday destination.