“Medical tourism” is the combination of medical treatment and tourism. This term may seem novel, but the industry has long been well underway. Since many years ago, celebrities have made special trips to other places for different treatments. And as the barriers to travel are on the ebb, medical tourism is becoming more prevalent.
According to GlobeNewswire, the global medical tourism market size is expected to exceed HK$280 billion in 2022. As the world recovers from the COVID-19 impact, local governments have begun to gradually ease entry and exit restrictions. It is believed that the total market value will continue to rise steadily and reach HK$430 billion in 2026.
Advantages of Medical Tourism
1. Lowered Costs
Many people consider seeking more affordable options in other countries because they cannot afford the high local medical costs. For example, Americans can save 30% to 90% on medical bills by going abroad for treatment.
2. You can enjoy Higher Quality Medical Service
The pace of medical development varies from country to country. India, for example, is particularly good at heart surgery, while South Korea is internationally acclaimed for treating spinal cord injury and associated complications.
3. You can have treatment faster
Even though some areas have adequate healthcare, patients may not be able to receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment within a reasonable period of time due to excessively long waits. Take Hong Kong as an example, the waiting time for joint replacement surgery in public hospitals can be up to four years.
4. Enjoy Travelling Experience
Although the focus of medical tourism is getting medical treatment, it is nevertheless a golden opportunity to travel abroad. Many patients choose to arrive at their destination early. Before the actual surgery, they would visit the famous local scenic spots for sightseeing and to revel in the exotic atmosphere. Alternatively, they would stay on for a period of time following the surgery to travel as well as recuperate.
5. Evade Local Medical Restrictions
Certain medical procedures may be illegal or unavailable in some countries such that patients who want to receive them have to go abroad for treatment.
Popular Medical Tourism Countries
1. Thailand
Popular medical procedures include regenerative medicine, dental care, assisted reproduction and sex reassignment surgery. In addition, the local technology in cardiology and physical examination is also widely recognized, and prices are nearly 80% lower than those in developed countries.
2. Singapore
Singapore offers a wide range of medical services, including orthopedic surgery, cardiac surgery, cancer treatment, ophthalmology and cosmetic procedures.
3. India
India account for a combined market share approaching 90%. The most attractive medical services are replacement therapy, cardiac surgery, bone marrow transplantation and hip replacement surgery.
4. Malaysia
Malaysia offers a wide range of medical and specialist services, including cardiology, orthopedics, pain management, orthopedics, oncology and physical examinations.
5. South Korea
The quality of medical services in South Korea is also considered exceptional in Asia. In addition to cosmetic surgery and dermatology, in South Korea, health examinations, gynecology, ophthalmology, dentistry, neurosurgery and traditional Korean medicine are also very popular with foreign tourists.
Have a Plan in Mind?
If you are interested in medical tourism, we recommend that you consult local and overseas doctors before you decide to set out. If you are concerned about the language barrier, you can consider using translation services provided by a medical tourism agency to conduct remote consultations with overseas doctors with the help of an expert. That way, you can obtain more comprehensive treatment information and advice on diagnosis and treatment.
After that, you need to verify the credentials of the medical institution, such as whether the institution is a hospital or a clinic, whether it is qualified to provide medical services to overseas tourists, whether it is certified to an international safety standard, etc., to ensure that you can receive high-quality medical treatment and care .
Finally, since foreign medical systems may not have your personal medical records at hand, before departure, you need to double-check the types of documents required by the foreign medical institutions, such as outpatient or inpatient medical records, medication history, physical examination results, etc., to prevent your treatment from being hampered due to missing documents.
More Information
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