Category Archives: Medical Tourism/Health Tourism

Turkey’s rise in world health tourism will double in revenue

Yeni Safak :

Turkey’s rise in world health tourism will double the revenue the country makes from treating foreign patients in 2014, according to Minister of Health, Mehmet Muezzinoglu.

“Russians and citizens of the Turkic republics top the list of foreign patients who prefer Turkey. We aim to double this year’s USD 2.5 billion medical tourism income in 2014”, Muezzinoglu said, assessing his Ministry’s yearly performance.

“Beginning in 2014, two successive 5-year plans will be put into action to further improve Turkey’s status as a regional healthcare hub that can serve the surrounding region of about a billion people”, Turkey’s Minister of Health noted.

Hosting a large number of world-class healthcare facilities and internationally accredited hospitals, Turkey welcomed some 270,000 foreign patients seeking high-quality and affordable treatment in 2012, up from 74,000 in 2008.

Planning to introduce tax-free healthcare zones specifically tailored for foreign patients, Turkey’s Ministry of Health intends to increase the number of medical tourists to 500,000 by 2015 and 2 million by 2023.  IIT

source: http://www.balkans.com / Balkans.com / Home> Business Section / Balkan.com Business Correspondent / December 18th, 2013

Costa Rica dental tourism – attaining beautiful teeth and healthy gums

TRAVEL TO COSTA RICA AND COME BACK WITH YOUR TEETH WHITE AND ROOT CANAL DONE

Costa Rica dental tourism – Attaining beautiful teeth and healthy gums is everyone’s dream and most often it remains a dream because the costs involved to undergo different dental procedures are too high especially now that Obamacare has been implemented. But your dreams of having a perfect and engaging smile can still come true if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone and travel abroad to get your much needed dental care at a very minimal cost; almost half the price of what you have to pay at home.

DentalCT21dec2013

I am pretty sure you are now excited to check the soonest flight available to the nearest dental destination spot from where you are located but hold your horses! We first need to discuss about the things you have to consider before jumping on a plane.

The first thing you need to know is that you are not alone in making this decision. According to Josef Woodman, CEO of Patients Beyond Borders, the estimated number of Americans who crossed the international border in 2012 to get dental care was around 400,000 and the projected increase in percentage for 2013 is around 20 per cent. These dental tourists usually go to Mexico, the U.K., the Philippines, Costa Rica, and India for their dental needs.

The second thing you have to take into consideration is how to find the best dentist for you. The first step in finding a good dentist is by referral. If you have relatives or friends who were once a dental tourist you may want to check with that person his or her experience abroad and the quality of dental care he or she received. If you do not know of anyone who received dental care abroad, you can always search online. Check the dentist’s web site to get a feel of the services he or she offers and the kind of clinic he or she is running. You can also read reviews on forum sites for more information about the dentist you are considering on visiting, just remember to be wise and filter the information you are getting on line as there are some dentists and their staff who write false reviews about themselves to get patients.

The third thing you must do before flying is have a basic idea of what is involved with the dental procedure you will be undergoing like implants, crowns and root canals. You should communicate with the dentist via e-mail or phone and make sure to ask about everything and anything that may be bothering you. If that dentist does not respond right away or does not answer all your questions then you better look for another dentist. If he or she cannot find time to answer you then that means that he or she won’t have time for you when you finally meet in person and he or she will just rush things thru.

The last thing you have to think about is the follow ups, aftercare and recourse in case of dental emergency or malpractice. Before going abroad make sure to contact a local dentist who can take care of your aftercare needs or dental emergencies once you get home from your dental vacation. Make sure to keep a record of any dental procedure you have undergone so that the next dentist who will take care of your dental needs will be well informed and be able to provide you with the best care. You should also contact the local health organization or government department in charge of dental practice in the country you are visiting so you can get information about your rights as a dental tourists and the steps that can be taken in case of dental malpractice.

source: http://www.eturbonews.com / eTN Global Travel Industry News / December 09th, 2013

Medical Tourism in the Country

To promote Medical Tourism in the country, Ministry of Tourism has extended the Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme to include Medical Tourism in its purview from February, 2009. The Ministry provides financial support under the Market Development Assistance Scheme (MDA) to following approved Medical Tourism Service providers engaged in Medical Tourism, subject to adherence to scheme guidelines and availability of funds:

(i)                Representatives of Hospitals accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) and the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals and Healthcare Services (NABH).

(ii)             Medical Tourism facilitators (Travel Agents/Tour Operators) approved by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

The Ministry of Tourism also organizes road shows in the overseas markets, participates in travel marts, and creates brochures, CDs, films and other publicity materials for promotion of Medical Tourism.

Medical Tourism is also an emerging niche segment of Tourism Industry in India. The total Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India & percentage of foreign tourists who came for the purpose of Medical Treatment during the period 2009 to 2011 is as follows:

2009

2010

2011

Total FTAs(in numbers) Total no. of Foreign tourists who came for medical treatment Total FTAs(in numbers) Total no. of Foreign tourists who came for medical treatment Total FTAs(in numbers) Total no. of Foreign tourists who came for medical treatment
5167699 113689 5775692 155944 6309222 138803

This was stated by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family

Welfare in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today.

*********

MV/GM

source: http://www.pib.nic.in / Press Information Bureau, Government of India / Home> Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / Release ID:101717 / December 13th, 2013

Medical Tourism Booming In Baja California

Photo by Jude Joffe-Block Above: Walt Michaels of Las Vegas receives an eye exam in a Mexicali ophthalmology office.

Photo by Jude Joffe-Block
Above: Walt Michaels of Las Vegas receives an eye exam in a Mexicali ophthalmology office.

Medical tourism to Baja California has risen nearly 18 percent since 2010, Mexico’s Frontera newspaper reports.

The head of Baja California’s medical tourism cluster, Karim Chalita Rodríguez, told Frontera that more than 500,000 visitors have sought medical or dental care in Baja California this year.

Most medical tourists are from California, but Mexican border cities are making a big push to attract visitors from inland states as well. As we’ve reported, a van service drives people from Las Vegas to Mexicali monthly for medical services.

The trip, at just $30 round-trip, is subsidized by the Mexicali tourism board. Authorities have even managed to get around the long border waits that might scare people off by offering special lanes to speed medical tourists back to the U.S.

More and more Latin American countries are trying to get in on the medical tourism boom. As we recently reported, a Nicaraguan hospital is advertising to the Latino population in the U.S., hoping to lure them to the Central American country for cheaper hip replacements and artificial knees.

But these countries might soon face a new challenge in the Affordable Care Act. If it works as planned, insurance companies should cover many of these procedures for U.S. residents. If so, Latin America’s plastic surgeons and others offering purely esthetic procedures may be getting the bulk of American medical tourists in the future.

source: http://www.kpbs.com / KPBS / Home> News / by Jill Replogle / Monday – December 16th, 2013

St. Luke’s cited as a world-class med tourism destination

Manila : 

Temos, a German-based healthcare accreditation organization, has recognized St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) as a world-class medical tourism destination due to its two hospitals’ reputation in medical excellence and quality services and facilities.

Hospital records show that a significant number of people admitted to St. Luke’s hospitals are international patients.

The most common procedures they avail of are executive check-ups, orthopedic surgery and general surgery.

The SLMC has hospitals in Quezon City and Global City.

“With the Temos double certification for both hospitals, international patients are assured they will get affordable and the best patient care on par with the best in the world while local patients will also benefit from our high quality medical and patient services,” said Dr. Alejandro Dizon, SLMC SVP for Quality and Patient Safety and Chief Quality Officer.

The Temos assessors conducted in October a two week-long inspections of both hospitals’ medical and non-medical services for medical tourists.

SLMC officials said this certification from Temos will contribute to the Philippines’ efforts to remain competitive in the region’s medical tourism industry, which is currently dominated by Thailand, Singapore, India and Malaysia.

source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com / ABS-CBSnews.com / Home> Metro Manila / December 05th, 2013