By Maryna Khorunzha
In a new world where the sick are no longer “patients” but rather “tourists,” they travel to another country in search of cheaper or more qualified medical care.
Therefore, when getting an all-inclusive package while undergoing plastic surgery in Israel, one should expect a little more than hospital bills, consultation and recovery care; the package will most likely include tours to religious sites, or a few days of sunbathing by the coast.
Taiwan already welcomes tourists for seven-day health tours, including personalized consultations, CT scans and a number of other tests. Who said you cannot have a leisurely holiday with sightseeing before or shortly after going under the knife? Welcome to the world of medical tourism!
Nowadays a number of countries around the world claim that medical tourism is one of their major “industries,” some making a real go for it. For instance, South Korea seems to be prominent with top-notch hospitals and clinics, mostly targeting Chinese clients.
The capital city of Seoul can boast Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospitals with VIP rooms and physicians fluent in English, Korean, Japanese, French and Chinese, according to MedicalTourism.com. In addition to its premium medical care, the country attracts medical tourists with thousands of Buddhist temples and national parks.
Recently Southern Korean coastal city of Yeosu headed CNN’s 2012 Top Places to Visit list. (Yeosu was followed by Antarctica, Ukraine and Poland). The city will host this year’s marine-focused World Expo from May 12 to Aug. 12, which alone can give a boost to medical and health tourism in the country.
As for other destinations, Mexico is becoming the number one priority for U.S. citizens seeking dental care, Costa Rica ― for joint replacement, and South Africa ― for plastic surgery.
As of today, the three leading destinations in the world are Thailand with its low prices, beautiful nature and amazing food; India, by far the cheapest destination, famous for heart surgery; and Singapore (no bargains, though it offers world class medical facilities and fluent English).
As for the European countries, Eastern Europe is coming into play. Hungary is probably the leader in the region. Without being extremely cheap or offering major surgery, Hungary wins as a great combination of medical treatment (dental, cosmetic) and extended travelling offers.
If traveling far away, medical tourists should definitely look for outstanding sightseeing options, which can pay off the price of the ticket. Nonetheless, even given the price of transatlantic flights U.S. citizens can still save up to 90 percent of their medical expenses.
For some, travelling for medical care abroad is the first time they leave the country. This is the case of Robert, who left Orlando, Fla., for Costa Rica, where he had both of his knee joints replaced. Such a medical procedure would have cost him around $100,000 at home, whereas in Costa Rica he paid a fraction of the price ― $20,000 ― the Medical Tourism Association reported.
Moreover, the World Health Association deems Costa Rica as a better destination for joint replacement than the United States. If that is not enough, Robert could also enjoy six days of physiotherapy with an English speaking physician as well as to travel to the rain forest.
With the world tourism trend developing rapidly, new countries are coming on stage; some of them doing better at promoting their services rather than providing high quality care, like India.
The Daily Mail India has recently reported that the hype over medical tourism in the country was not backed by substance. The Indian Tourism Ministry announced that the absence of niche health products together with crooked pricing policy have made the “much hyped medical tourism a near flop show,” the Daily Mail cited ministry officials.
With African and Asian patients, who rarely speak English, being the target group, Indian medical staff can rarely make themselves understood. Attracted by extra low prices for medical care, bargain seeking tourists often have to deal with obsolete equipment and overcrowded facilities. On the contrary, there are countries failing to promote their affordable, if not conventional, treatments.
For instance, post-Soviet Ukraine located in Eastern Europe (visa free regime with the U.S., the EU, Former Soviet republics, Japan and South Korea, etc.) is hardly doing a good job of advertising its medical care. However, the country boasts prominent specialists in such unconventional areas as pediatrics, especially childhood nephrology, and orthopedics.
It is a matter of individual preference whether one should go for cheaper price in combination with attending ancient castles and witnessing natural wonders, though using sign language with one’s doctor, or overpaying for major surgery abroad; yet making sure you will get the highest quality treatment, or use your urge for liposuction or a facelift as a reason to discover a new country while hiding your post-surgery bruises from friends and colleagues back at home.
Pick and choose; there is a multitude of options in the world of medical globalization.
Maryna Khorunzha is project manager of Worldwide News Ukraine. Contact the writer at mk@wnu-ukraine.com.
source: http://www.KoreaTimes.co.kr / Home> NewsZone> Opinion> Times Forum/ by Maryna Khorunzha/ March 09th, 2012
