NOIDA, India, & ROSWELL, Ga., USA:
The increase in medical tourism in Asia will apparently only benefit certain countries in the region. According to a report released by India–US market intelligence provider Renub Research, over two thirds of the market for foreign medical and dental services will be controlled by India, Thailand and Singapore in the near future.
Overall, Renub estimates that the number of arrivals for medical and dental tourists will exceed ten million by 2015, which would be a 50 per cent increase from the present volume. Thailand, which currently sees the largest number of foreign medical tourists per year, is predicted to double its market volume within the next three years. The country currently holds the largest market share with 40 per cent.
It will be followed by Singapore, with an estimated one million arrivals per year and India with an expected half a million arrivals. Together, all three markets will hold a total share of 80 per cent while countries like South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan will compete for the remaining 20 per cent. Taiwan in particular is expected to be frequented by members of the Chinese middle class who can increasingly afford high-cost medical and dental treatment.
Other countries were not included in the report.
With rates of up to 30 per cent, medical tourism has been one of the fastest growing business sectors in the region owing primarily to the rising affluence of the middle class and a boom in the private health care sector. Recognising the potential, several countries have recently started initiatives to improve medical facilities and the workforce, as well as to attract more patients from abroad.
source: http://www.dental-tribune.com / Home> Asia Pacific / by Dental Tribune Asia Pacific / November 16th, 2012
