Where are the Top 5 Medical Tourism Destinations?
More and more people are traveling abroad to seek medical care. They do so not for a less expensive healthcare but because some countries offer better medical services than what they would find in their own country.
According to the Medical Tourism Association, approximately 14 million people in the world go on a medical tourism annually.
A report by McKinsey and Company outlined what patients seek when traveling abroad to receive medical treatment.
- 40% look for advanced technology procedures that are performed by a country’s highly-trained personnel.
- 32% seek better and more human medical attention, care, and treatment.
- 15% search for immediate medical service with shorter waiting periods.
- 13% seek lower economic medical costs.
Top 5 Medical Tourism Destinations
- Mexico
When it comes to advanced care and cosmetic surgery and dentistry, Mexico takes the top spot. Tijuana, in particular, is a hotspot for cosmetic procedures.
The country has 98 hospitals accredited by the Federal Health Ministry and 7 hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI).
With low-cost medical treatments that save patients up to 60% the prices in the US and Europe, it’s not a surprise that many people travel to Mexico for medical tourism.
- Costa Rica
In the last few years, Costa Rica has consistently ranked high in dentistry and cosmetic surgery above Canada and the US. It is also making vast improvements in the fields of bariatric surgery, cancer therapy, and eye surgery.
Compared to the US, healthcare services in Costa Rica is 45% to 65% lower.
The CheTica Ranch in San Jose offers medical tourists a unique ranch-style recovery retreat where patients enjoy amenities that rival a hotel and the care of well-trained nurses.
- Canada
According to the Medical Tourism Global Market and Figures 2018, Canada highly excels in stem cell treatment at a cost that is more affordable than in the US. In 2016, it was considered a world leader in health tourism according to an index developed by Fetscherin & Stephano.
With medical tourism considered one way for the country to create another source of revenue, expect more medical treatments to be added into Canada’s medical tourism.
- India
Healthcare costs in India will save patients 65% to 90% of similar services in the US. The country also uses cutting edge-technology in healthcare delivery. This is why it is one of the key players in the medical tourism industry.
Many of its hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International and the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers. Some private hospitals offer health care packages for foreign patients that include airport-to-hospital pickups, private chefs, and free in-room Wi-Fi.
Some of the more popular procedures include eye surgery, orthopedic surgery, bone transplants, and heart bypass surgery.
Chennai currently ranks number one as the ultimate health care tourism destination in India.
- Brazil
In Latin America, Brazil is the best in healthcare delivery as noted by the World Health Organization. It is home to some of the world-renowned surgeons and has 43 JCI-accredited hospitals.
Brazil offers high-quality cosmetic and plastic surgery services that cost about 30% to 50% lower than in the US. This shouldn’t come as a surprise as cosmetic treatments are considered the norm in the country.
The Ivo Pitanguy Clinic in Rio de Janeiro is well-known for performing more cosmetic surgeries than other places in the world.
These are the just the top 5 medical tourism destinations in the world. This means you have more options when seeking medical treatments abroad if you look long and hard. What is even better is that you’re not just paying for lower costs but excellent medical care as well.
Resources:
For statistics
https://hospitalcmq.com/medical-tourism/medical-tourism-global-statistics/
https://www.medicaltourismindex.com/health-tourism-canada-uk-israel-top/
For the content
http://www.medicaltourismmag.com/top-10-medical-tourism-destinations-world/
https://artoftravel.tips/top-medical-tourism-destinations-for-2018/#.W0vzktIzbct
https://internationalliving.com/countries-best-healthcare-world/
https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/home-and-travel/a29006/medical-travel-popular-destinations/
https://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/five-star-treatment-top-10-destinations-for-medical-tourism-1.679880
https://worldsbesthospitals.net/
https://www2.deloitte.com/ca/en/pages/life-sciences-and-healthcare/articles/evolving-medical-tourism-in-canada.html