The phrase “medical tourism” was originally used to refer to the practice of traveling in search of affordable plastic and cosmetic surgery. Today, medical tourism, also called health tourism and medical travel, means the traveling in search of quality but affordable healthcare services. While many tourists are still traveling in search of a new face, millions of patients are also moving in search of life-saving surgeries.
Medical tourism is a booming business. The media and travel agencies have helped the practice to transform into an official industry in many countries. Countries such as Brazil, Thailand, China, Singapore, India, and Costa Rica have invested a lot of money to develop into the most popular medical tourism destinations.
Why is Medical Travel Popular?
High Cost of Medical Services
The cost factor is the greatest pusher of medical tourism. In many countries, people are finding it hard to pay skyrocketing medical bills. The bills are even higher for complex medical procedures and cosmetic surgery procedures. Many patients can save considerable amounts of money in affordable healthcare destinations. In many of the popular destinations, patients can expect to pay a third of what they would have paid in their developed country. In some instances, patients have reported 90% savings.
Quality Healthcare in Host Nations
Medical tourism is an important source of revenue for host countries. These countries treat it as a booming business. They have therefore invested billions of dollars to ensure that they remain competitive. To beat the competition, they have to offer quality services. They have also gone to great lengths to educate their doctors in western countries to allay fears of inferior medical care. Their clinics have also been seeking certification from global watchdogs to reassure patients. Some of the doctors in these clinics have also worked in hospitals in developed nations, and their patients have grown to trust them.
Fast Service
Some patients travel to avoid surgery queues in their countries. In many countries, waiting times for crucial medical procedures are often long and cumbersome. It’s even worse when the procedure is a non-emergency. Traveling patients can plan and schedule surgery before arrival. They can, therefore, get immediate medical attention.
Access to Experimental Medical Care Unavailable at Home
Due to strict regulation of medical practices, experimental procedures and drugs are rarely offered in developed countries. For many suffering patients, such experimental medicines and procedures can be a lifeline. Many suffering patients would rather be guinea pigs than suffer without hope. Countries like India are often willing to try out the new, controversial and experimental.
Medical tourism benefits are clear to the discerning medical consumer. With globalization, world solutions are available for domestic problems. Travel and medicine will remain, bedfellows until all countries work hard to make quality health care services affordable to all their residents.