Category Archives: Medical Tourism/Health Tourism

Medical tourists seek experimental services

Linda Stewart used a Kelowna-based company to arrange a medical tourism trip in May 2010 to get an experimental treatment for MS in India. Stewart is one of the unknown number of Canadians using medical tourism to access experimental treatments not offered in Canada.

Photograph by: Linda Stewart , Vancouver Province

Vancouver:

Linda Stewart is one of the unknown number of Canadians using medical tourism to access experimental treatments not offered in Canada.

The 57-year-old was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 38 and was using a wheelchair when she saw a news report in 2009 on a controversial MS treatment known as a “liberation procedure” which removes blockages in veins to address a condition known as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency.

Stewart arranged her surgery in May 2010 with Meditours and paid $15,000 U.S. for treatment in India. To her, it was well worth it.

“Before, I was very handicapped, I had no feeling in my hands and most of my legs and feet and extreme cramping. . . . I’d lost pretty much all my voice,” she said.

“I have feeling now in my feet, the cramping is almost totally gone, my voice is back.”

Stewart said she did her research and had few reservations.

“I was a travel agent so I have no fear of travelling at all, and I did look into the hospital and the doctor — he was more qualified than most people in Canada.”

Indian hospitals, she said were “absolutely immaculate,” with leading-edge technology and staff who spoke English. Her doctors even followed up by email.

Perhaps because her experience was ideal, Stewart doesn’t support regulation, but cautions patients to “do the research.”

“If you can go there and get it done with good doctors and good facilities and for so much cheaper and have a vacation included, why not do it?” she said.

“I really would do it again tomorrow. I was on the fastest track to a nursing home you ever saw. This made my life more bearable.”

Vancouver Province

eoconnor@theprovince.com

FACTBOX:

Top spots for medical tourism:

— Asia has established destinations in India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Emerging centres include South Korea, Philippines and Indonesia.

— The Caribbean is trying to draw the North American market with Barbados, Cayman Islands and Jamaica building capacity.

— Eastern European countries such as Poland, are also hot spots, particularly for MS treatments.

— Mexico and Latin American countries are popular destinations for cosmetic and dental surgery, notably Brazil and Costa Rica.

source: http://www.MontrealGazette.com / Home> Health / by Elaine O’Connor, PostMedia News / April 08th, 2012

Sheikh Hamed opens Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi:

Shaikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Crown Prince’s Court, has stated that “the healthcare sector is a top priority for President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the UAE leadership is committed to providing the best healthcare services in the country.

We will continue to create the right environment to attract more investments in the different economic sectors, in general, and in the healthcare sector, in particular.”

This statement came during the inauguration of the Burjeel Hospital, a pioneering healthcare and wellness facility in Abu Dhabi. Burjeel is the first of its kind in the region to offer advanced and world-class services across specialisations, combining the best personnel, equipment, technologies and specialized integrated services.

During his visit, Sheikh Hamed inspected the various treatment facilities at Burjeel Hospital, including the dental clinic, diagnostic imaging centre, operating rooms, neonatal ICU, Royal Suite, paediatric clinic and fitness centre. The hospital, on an area of over 70,000 square metres, will offer more than 200-beds and provide the entire range of specialised healthcare services, including a state-of-the-art surgery department, capable of delivering comprehensive treatment.

“The idea for Burjeel Hospital was born out of the vision of Abu Dhabi to become amongst the most advanced centres for healthcare services in the region,” said Dr Shamsheer VP, Managing Director. “Burjeel has been envisaged as a truly international medical facility that will offer cutting edge healthcare services, administered by some of the finest medical expertise available.”

With its state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure and use of latest technology, Burjeel is set to provide a big boost to the UAE’s medical tourism industry. The country has immense potential to become a leading player in the region in this segment considering its emphasis on high-end tertiary care.

“At Burjeel, our outstanding healthcare services are complemented by a healing touch, which is rare to find in today’s fast-paced world. We understand the region and its requirements, and our medical infrastructure is capable of giving a new dimension to medical tourism in the UAE,” said Dr Shamsheer.

Dr Charles Stanford, Chief Executive Officer at Burjeel Hospital, said: “In addition to the sense of hospitality that the Hospital reflects, the Burjeel Hospital is all about sophistication. At Burjeel, we have the right mix of medical expertise, technology and wellness infrastructure to offer patients in the UAE a truly international healthcare environment.”

Burjeel Hospital will be fully functional in a phased manner in the coming months. Currently it has begun operations of its Out Patient Services which includes consultations in different specialties, dental services, specimen testing and diagnostic imaging.

The services launched today also include Out-Patient Department Clinics offering family medicine, paediatric, vascular surgery, general surgery (consultation only) and nephrology. More clinics are set to open in the coming weeks.

Burjeel Hospital marks an important milestone in the UAE’s healthcare sector. With the opening of the hospital, patients who previously needed to travel abroad looking for high quality healthcare, can find it right here in the UAE.

The hospital has been designed to combine high-quality medical technology with top-of-the-line facilities. Burjeel has established centres of excellence in association with the world’s best health service providers. These centres of excellence will bring together highly accredited medical experts across almost all specialisations. Additionally, each department within the hospital offers an aesthetic ambience to put patients at ease.

Burjeel Hospital has a total of 32 suites and 88 rooms, with duplex Royal suites spreading over 557 sq m, rooms and suites across six categories with varying levels of luxury and comfort. Particular attention has also been paid to the comfort of relatives and friends staying with in-patients.

Additionally, the hospital provides 10 operating rooms, including a state of the art Hybrid OR, intensive care units (separate units for medicine, neonatology, new born, cardiac and surgery), delivery suites, dialysis facilities, and clinical departments. The hospital features two pharmacies, a fully-equipped gymnasium with state-of-the-art fitness and equipment, a spa, and a multi-cuisine restaurant.

The ground and 6-storey hospital also has a large basement parking, adding to the convenience of visitors.

source: http://www.KhaleejTimes.com / Khaleej Times Online > Nation / by WAM / April 03rd, 2012

Traveling 4 Health and Retirement and Overseas Radio Network Partner on Innovative and New Radio Program

Seattle, WA (PRWEB) April 05, 2012

Traveling4Health&Retirement (THR), North America’s one resource for travel, destination locations, retirement, and medical travel news announces “Know before you Go” a new talk-radio program in the Traveling4Health media family.

Traveling4Health’s mission is to share information, experience and inspiration and to help Americans better understand their health and wellness options whether traveling for medical treatment or retiring overseas.

The THR radio program has become an exciting tool in this regard. Each program mixes interviews with guest subject experts, thought provoking topics, and call-ins with questions, comments and opinions.

Traveling4Health&Retirement and “Know before You Go” radio programming connects vacationing aficionados and the traveling baby boomer with timely travel information by renowned experts in medical science, world travel, and technology.

“If you have questions about how to unlock the power of medical travel or overseas retirement to improve your quality of life, we invite you to join us in practical discussions about medical travel and the helpful information about the consequences of travel with health and wellness and overseas retirement destinations,” said a THR spokesperson.

THR looks forward to exploring retirement adventures and medical travel strategies with listeners, on the radio.

Show host, Ilene Little, CEO of Traveling 4 Health and Retirement, monitors weekly discussions between the audience and prominent medical providers, healthcare executives and retirement consultants.

“We talk about the experience of foreign-patients in medical centers of excellence throughout the world,” says a THR representative, “as well as our favorite destinations for medical travel or living seasonally or full time abroad. Along with exciting destinations, the show host discusses general topics such as:

  • How to search popular destinations for overseas retirement that match a Baby Boomer’s needs for healthcare and long-term care,
  • How to unlock the financial power of medical travel to get needed treatments more affordably,
  • Where to find trustworthy doctors and dentists, and
  • Who you need to know to get local knowledge about traveling destinations.

Frequent guests will include Shai Gold, an American healthcare executive and CEO of International Triage, LLC, David Mair, an American risk-management consultant and CEO of Soter Healthcare, author Kristin Eckland, ACNP-BC, MSN, RN, Nurse Practitioner in Thoracic Surgery, Life Planning Network retirement consultants, world-renown medical and dental physicians, and medical services providers recommended by Traveling4Health&Retirement members.

Traveling4Health radio news “Know before You Go” is the first Internet radio programming offering leading travel, vacationing, and destination medical and healthcare discussions among healthcare professionals, travel aficionados, and journeyers ready to discover the ultimate in living life to the fullest in their own backyards and worldwide.

Ensuring a well-planned and organized medical vacation or retirement adventure requires not only thoughtful but mindful travel planning. Traveling4Health&Retirement recognizes the need for reliable and alternative sources for expats, retirees, and vacationers seeking the affordable and the enjoyable in travel around the globe.

Shai Gold of International-Triage, LLC has managed over 3,000 medical cases and 150 Million dollars in international medical services. He agrees thoughtful and organized travel planning is a comforting travel advantage and an essential safety consideration. “We emphasis value, safety and comfort for the medical traveler and his/her escorting family member,” says Gold, “in addition to expert medical oversight and clinical case management.”

Travelers will receive practical advice to rethink the range of preparation necessary when planning an international living location or a journey for medical tourism. Quality of accommodations, fresh water and food sources, local health care provision, tropical, cool, or climatic environs, and personal safety during traveling are relevant considerations with destination and location planning.

Partnering with the Overseas Radio Network, Traveling4Health&Retirement will offer the finest in destination locations for medical treatment opportunities, and retirement vacations introducing listeners to sources from the world’s leading medical and international living experts.

Be a caller on the show to participate in recording sessions. Sign up for THR’s health and retirement radio show newsletter to receive email alerts about scheduled recording sessions.

The definitive resource in global health trekking, Traveling4Health&Retirement presents the newest achievements, advancements, and developments in vacationing, retirement and destination travel. Travelers, medical professionals, and people desiring to learn more about Traveling4Health&Retirement’s growing user community and health providers may visit Traveling4Health&Retirement at http://www.Travelling4Health.com. Persons or care providers interested in becoming a member with Traveling4Health&Retirement’s online community should contact Ilene Little at +1.888.844.1005; Fax: +1.888.844.1005; Skype at Ilene.Little for additional information.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/4/prweb9368625.htm

source: http://www.DigitalJournal.com / PRWEB.com Newswire / April 05th, 2012

Health Tourism in Thailand

Increasing this, it is also famous for its traditional Chinese remedies and subordinates Beijing Explore Institute of TCM, Zhaobingnan Medical treatment center of Dermatosis. This hospital employs almost 1300 staff in conjunction with 150 high -rank professional medical specialists, twenty one national and 2 municipal famous TCM medical doctors.

Piyavate Medical center -Located with Bangkok, Thailand, your Piyavate Hospital is yet another world’s largest and best hospitals. It’s medical staff generally includes Thai Board Credentialed and American Board Physicians. The key features that helps make this hospital for the reason that most renowned and among the list of largest in the modern world is its capacity to give medical services to patient by utilizing modern technology and contemporary equipment. It offers almost every type of physical exam including diabetes test, DNA test, stress test and any other form of physical examination.

Medical center Clinica Biblica – Established in the year 1929 and situated Costa Rica, Clinica Biblica is actually another largest personal hospital. The hospital actually features a 50 million dollar infrastructure and globally known for providing among the list of world’s best service proposed by its orthopedic together with bariatric surgeries.
Precisely what is the Risk? According to the Institute of Medicine, over 100, 000 accidental deaths occur in hospitals every year. And that’s here in the U. Ohydrates. Hospitals are a dangerous place to be, and you want to spend as little ever experience in one as they can. So there are risks everywhere, and probably greater risks outside of the U. S.

Nevertheless magic of the free-market does give you some protection. There is a ton of money flowing to countries and international private hospitals that practice high-quality treatments. If a hospital fails to provide quality assistance, you can bet its customers goes elsewhere, particularly if they’re just choosing among all over the world.

That influx of unusual patients (together with money) is actually enticing more western-trained doctors to go back home, so the options are actually rising, and the quality and prices carry on and improve. I believe that if you use care in choosing your provider together with structuring your procedure, the risks are no greater than having surgery within the U. Ohydrates.

How to Research your options Keep in mind that most health insurance still will not cover for treatment beyond your U. S., particularly if you are traveling specifically to receive medical care. So check with your insurer if the money necessary the treatment will exceed your allowable.

Your Joint Commission with Accreditation of Professional medical Organizations certifies hospitals here in the U. Ohydrates. These are are just some of the reasons why many feel it will probably be worth it to travel world wide in order to own their procedure performed at Yanhee Standard Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

There are many other plastic surgery treatments that are performed at Yanhee too, besides the usual procedures that so many know about. Yanhee’s Plastic Surgical treatment department also snacks those that may need hair removal in their Varicosity Clinic and the ones that may need hair treatment to counteract hair loss on their Hair Restoration and Hair Treatment center. The Permanent Dental Tattoo Center supplies clients with procedures to make permanently and visually pleasing results for a skin.

source: http://www.kitchenart-ist.com / Home / March 30th, 2012

Medical Tourism Growing at Over 30 Percent Per Annum

Seoul, Korea:

The number of foreign patients visiting Korea has been soaring at an annual rate of over 30 percent since 2009. The figure rose 35.9 percent from 60,201 in 2009 to 81,789 in 2010, and is estimated to have exceeded 110,000 last year, up 34.5 percent, according to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute.

The target for this year is 150,000 medical tourists, marking growth of 36 percent, it added.

American patients topped the list with 32.4 percent in 2010, followed by Chinese (19.4 percent), Japanese (16.8 percent) and Russians (7.7 percent). Foreign patients spent an average of W1.31 million per person on medical expenses here (US$1=W1,133).

“Attracting three to four patients with serious illnesses creates a comparable economic effect to exporting a Hyundai Sonata,” the institute said.

People from Kazakhstan paid the highest medical bills, or W3.78 million on average, followed by Russians with W2.97 million and Mongolians with W2.58 million, as many of them came for expensive treatments for cardiovascular or other serious diseases.

Japanese patients spent the least amount of money, or W840,000 on average.

U.S. patients visited Korea largely to undergo medical check-ups or seek treatment from dentists, while most Chinese patients got treated by beauty therapists or plastic surgeons, and Russians sought cardiovascular or orthopedic surgeons.

Japanese mostly sought herbal and skin treatments. They accounted for 76 percent of the total number of foreign patients visiting Oriental medicine clinics, and 35 percent of those seeking dermatologists.

“Many Japanese want to receive simple treatments like acupuncture or skin care during their short visit” to Korea, said a director at the institute.

Meanwhile, Chinese patients, mostly women in their 20s or 30s, accounted for 66 percent of the total number of foreigners visiting plastic surgeons in Korea.

“Recently, an increasing number of older Chinese visitors have also been coming to get medical check-ups here as part of tour programs,” the director said. “As Korea begins to be recognized for its advanced medical skills, the number of foreign patients with serious conditions is on the rise.”

In the southern port city of Busan, Russian patients account for 35 percent of foreign patients visiting clinics. Many hail from the eastern region of Vladivostok and show symptoms of cardiovascular, hip or disk diseases, the institute said.

source: http://www.english.chosun.com / / April, 02nd, 2012