Medical Tourism: Going to Asia
People from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom usually aim for Asian countries when getting medical treatment for a variety of reasons. Asians are known to be very kind, accommodating and friendly. Asian nations are also widely popular for their unique and colorful culture, so you get to learn a lot from your trip. Finally, the technologies and practices in these countries are now considered globally competitive and safe.
Going to India
Medical tourism in India experiences a yearly growth rate of about 30%. By 2012, experts estimate the revenues brought in by the industry will reach about $2 billion. Some of the reasons why foreigners go to India include the very low cost of medical treatment, the very rich culture, historical and religious landmarks and the availability of modern medical technologies and equipment.
At present, infrastructures in India is not that many, but the cost of treatment in India is only around 10% of the cost you expect to pay in America or the United Kingdom. Some of the most popular treatments that visitors go for include cardiac bypass surgery, alternative medicine, eye surgery, hip resurfacing, heart surgery, orthopedic surgery and bone marrow transplant.
The health capital of India is Chennai, located at the southern region. The city brings in around 45% of medical tourists from other nations and about 40% from local places. Other medical tourism hotspots in India are Mangalore and New Delhi.
More Asian Countries
Malaysia is one of the newest favorites of medical tourists. Some of the advantages of visiting the country include the availability of top quality hospitals, experienced and well-trained medical staff and English being widely spoken throughout the main cities. Malaysia also has a very active association that aims to develop medical tourism. There is a national accreditation scheme as well. A lot of the hospitals aim to become dually accredited in a few years.
The Philippines is known for having very qualified doctors and dentists. A number of medical institutions are already accredited by JCI. Expect treatment to be only a fraction of the cost you pay for in the States. Some of the popular procedures done in the country include dental work, plastic surgery and heart surgery.
Korea and Singapore
Korea is one of the hottest medical tourism destinations today. Japanese patients usually go to Korea to avail of cheaper prices and the modern medical equipment and facilities. Korean clinics and hospitals are especially popular for procedures like cancer treatment, organ transplant, joint care, dental care, ophthalmology, spinal treatment and infertility treatment. Other popular procedures are mostly included in cosmetic surgery, such as nose jobs, skin lightening, eyelid surgery and facelifts.
Singapore has several health centers and hospitals accredited by JCI. It is preferred by several tourists because English is widely spoken and the equipment, technology and practices are always updated and are among the best in the world. Singapore also has agencies working to ensure that the country becomes one of the best when it comes to providing quality and advanced patient care.
Tags: alternative medicine, America, Asian Countries, Asian Nations, Bone Marrow Transplant, Bypass Surgery, Canada, Cancer Treatment, cancer;, Capital Of India, Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Colorful Culture, Cosmetic Surgery, Eye Surgery, eyelid surgery, facelifts, Going To India, Health Capital, Heart Surgery, Hip Resurfacing, India, Infertility, Korea, Malaysia, Mangalore, medical equipment, Medical Technologies, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourists, National Accreditation Scheme, New Delhi, Organ Transplant, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Quality Hospitals, Religious Landmarks, Rich Culture, Singapore, the Philippines, Tourism In India, United Kingdom, United States;, USD; —
Going on a Medical Tour: Countries to Visit
When going on a medical tour, you have to get the most out of the opportunity by choosing a country that specializes in your specific health need, as well as offers the best attractions to make your trip worthwhile. Although there are around 50 nations to choose from, there are 3 distinct places that made their mark by providing exactly what medical tourists want and staying updated with the latest standards of care and modern equipment.
Going to South Korea
South Korea or the Land of the Morning Calm is another favorite among medical tourists. The country is located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. To the east is China and to the north is North Korea. Seoul is a major global city and is one of the most developed cities in the whole world. You will find several top quality private hospitals and medical clinics in South Korea. One hospital in Seoul is accredited by JCI.
Some of these institutions have excellent facilities, English-speaking staff and VIP rooms. Other medical experts are also fluent in other languages like Chinese, French and Japanese. The Medical Act was revised by the South Korean government so that medical records and order communications will become electronic. The hospital information system in the country is among the most advanced globally.
Going to Israel
Israel is a Jewish State situated in Western Asia. Several countries border it, such as Egypt, Syria, Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. Although Israel is considerably small in terms of size, you will find that the medical institutions are globally competitive. You can also enjoy your trip more because of its rich culture and many famous biblical and archaeological sites. Some of the reasons why tourists flock to the area each year include the high standards of facilities and medicine and modern tools and equipment. Several international medical summits and conferences are held in Israel every year. Israel is also very active in joint ventures with other western hospitals.
Some of the most popular procedures done to patients in Israel include IVF or in-vitro fertilization, bone marrow transplant, neurological procedures, cancer treatment, heart surgery, weight loss surgery, eye surgery, addiction problems and catheterization. Three hospitals at present is accredited by the JCI.
Visiting Mexico
Mexico is a favorite destination of American patients because of its close proximity to the United States. You will also enjoy the different attractions and sites in the country. A number of hospitals are already accredited by the JCI. You minimize your risk of developing complications before and after the medical procedure, since you do not have to travel half across the globe to get to Mexico.
Some of the popular procedures done in the region include cosmetic surgery, orthopaedics, dental work and weight loss surgery. Spanish is widely spoken, but English is understood by majority of the locals, especially those located in border towns. The climate in Mexico is also very ideal for vacationing tourists. You can expect ambient temperatures most of the year.
Tags: Bone Marrow Transplant, Cancer Treatment, cancer;, catheterization, China, Cosmetic Surgery, Distinct Places, Egypt, Eye Surgery, Global City, Heart Surgery, Hospital Information System, Israel, Israel Israel, Jordan, Korea Seoul, Korean Peninsula, Land Of The Morning, Land Of The Morning Calm, Medical Act, Medical Clinics, Medical Institutions, Medical Tour, Medical Tourists, Mediterranean Sea, Mexico, Modern Tools, North Korea, One hospital, order communications, Private Hospitals, Rich Culture, Seoul, South Korea, South Korean Government, Syria, Tourists Flock, United States;, Vip Rooms, Weight Loss Surgery, Western Asia —
Getting Cosmetic Surgery Abroad
Cosmetic surgery is one of the biggest branches of medical tourism. Thousands of individuals flock to various countries all over the world each year to get treatments such as liposuction, face lifts, eye surgery, wart removal and many more. Cosmetic surgery in Asia is especially cheaper compared to the States. You also get to have world class accommodations and get to see new sights for a totally enjoyable vacation.
The Growth of Cosmetic Surgery
In the past decade, the number of people going for cosmetic surgery has significantly grown. With the start of medical tourism, even more individuals are going under the knife because of cheaper costs and the availability of modern equipment and technology to perform the different operations. In the past, only first world countries were capable of doing operations because of state-of-the-art tools and well-experienced surgeons.
Some countries like Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines are now widely known for their modern equipment and facilities. The doctors are also well-trained and already have a wide expertise on various cosmetic procedures. A number of medical institutions in these places now boast of having accreditation from the JCI. You can also get advantages in terms of airfare cost, transportation and hotel bookings.
Tips for Tourists
Tourists are advised to pick cosmetic clinics in country located near your place of origin. However, the availability and convenience of modern air travel has allowed people from the west to easily go halfway around the world and return in less than 10 days. American patients may travel south to Brazil, Mexico and Costa Rica, while others will go as far as the Asia Pacific or the Mediterranean to get treatment. Some of the other popular places for cosmetic surgery include Turkey, Malta, India, China and New Zealand.
Patients should plan and prepare for their travel carefully. The waiting list is significantly shorter in Asia, so you can expect to have the procedure a day or two after you arrive. You can also gain advantage of medical tourism packages wherein you get transportation to and from your hotel, meal bookings and tours around the city before and after your operation. You can talk to your travel agent to prepare a top quality hotel for your stay.
Staying Safe
Medical tourists are advised to stay a few days more after the cosmetic procedure to avoid any complications and ensure that they are truly recovered and stable before traveling back to the States. You should research a bit about the different laws and consumer protection regulations in the country you are visiting. Determine whether or not your current insurance policy will cover your case even if you are getting treatment overseas.
Go online and learn more about your cosmetic surgery. Talk to other patients who have undergone the same procedure and ask them about the different pros and cons of traveling abroad. You can minimize the risks and complications by staying prepared for these particular factors. You should also talk to your local doctor and the surgeon who will do your operation for maximum benefits.
Tags: Accreditation, air travel, Art Tools, Asia, Asia Pacific, Brazil, China, Cosmetic Procedures, Cosmetic Surgery, Costa Rica, Enjoyable Vacation, Eye Surgery, First World Countries, Flock, Hotel Bookings, India, India China, Insurance Policy, Jci, Liposuction, Malta, Medical Institutions, Medical Tourism, Mediterranean, Mexico, New Zealand, Place Of Origin, quality hotel, Singapore, surgeon, Thailand, the Philippines, transportation, travel agent, Turkey;, Waiting List, Wart Removal, World Class Accommodations, World Each Year —
3 Best Countries When Medical Touring
There are several countries today competing to get accreditation from the top governing bodies, to hopefully become one of the best when it comes to providing medical tourism packages. There are 3 nations you have to specially consider, though, since these have been very consistent in giving quality care, as well as the most attractive tourist spots this side of the globe. Here are some more details on what to expect and why they’re the best.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is situated just between Nicaragua and Panama. It is located between the North Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, so you can expect tranquil and breathtaking views and great weather most of the year. Costa Rica is only a 2.5-hour flight from Miami, Florida. Compared to other nations in Central America, Costa Rica has high standards of living, as well as a peaceful democratic rule. Some of the favorite activities by medical tourists are scuba diving, surfing, swimming, parasailing and sunbathing.
Costa Ricans mainly speak Spanish, although a lot of medical institutions in the area require most of their staff to be good at English as well. Some of the main reasons why you have to consider Costa Rica for your medical tour are its top quality health institutions, modern equipment and facilities and a highly ranked health care system. The system is actually better compared to the United States and you only pay a fraction of the cost. A couple of hospitals are accredited by the JCI. Some of the most preferred procedures in the country include dental work, weight loss operations, cosmetic surgery and orthopaedics.
India
India is situated in southern Asia with several countries surrounding its borders like Pakistan, Myanmar, China and Bangladesh. India has gone through a huge growth in terms of technology and medicine in recent years. It has also been very active in providing programs and aims to get more accreditation in its many hospitals to become one of the top medical tourist destinations in the world.
At present, there are 13 hospitals in the country that are accredited by the JCI. Some of the most common procedures that patients look for when visiting include cosmetic surgery, dental work, heart surgery and cancer treatment. The cost of care in India is considerably lower compared to other medical tourist spots. Patients can also communicate better with health care providers since majority of Indians are very good at speaking English. Visitors can enjoy their vacation more because of the India’s rich culture and unique sights, sounds and attractions.
Thailand
Thailand is arguably the most popular medical tourist destination globally. It is located in Southeast Asia, just west of Cambodia and south of Myanmar. Visitors like traveling to Thailand because it is conveniently located near other Asian countries, so you can cross the borders and go to several other nations in just one trip. Top quality medical services are offered with a number of private hospitals earning JCI accreditation.
Some of the most popular procedures done in the country include spinal fusions, orthopaedics, prostate surgery, coronary artery bypass grafts and gastric bypass. There are also medical institutions in Phuket, Thailand that specialize in cosmetic surgery, dental work and eye surgery. A lot of hospitals in the area at present have English-speaking staff.
Tags: Asia, Attractive Tourist, Bangladesh, bypass, Cambodia, Cancer Treatment, cancer;, Caribbean Sea, Central America, China, Cosmetic Surgery, Costa Rica, Costa Ricans, Democratic Rule, Dental Work, Eye Surgery, Florida, Gastric Bypass, Governing Bodies, Health Care System, Health Institutions, Heart Surgery, India, India India, Jci, Medical Institutions, Medical Tour, Medical Tourism, Medical Tourists, Miami, Myanmar, Nicaragua, North Pacific Ocean, Pakistan, Panama, Parasailing, prostate surgery, quality medical services, scuba diving, Southeast Asia, Southern Asia, surfing, Swimming, Thailand, Tourism Packages, Tourist Spots, United States;, Weight Loss Operations —