Category Archives: Reports,Features, Statistics

Istanbul , (KUNA):

Turkey is attracting large numbers of patients from all over the world, seeking medical care in private hospitals, with thousands of health tourists visiting the country each year.

Dr Ilker Erdogan who works in a private hospital in Istanbul, told KUNA on Saturday that many foreigners prefer to be treated in Turkey in different departments like orthopedic, urology, heart surgery, ophthalmology, back and neck surgery, hair transplant, cosmetic surgery, dental care, gynecology, and nose, ear, and throat surgery, along with other medical departments.
Experts say that patients choose Turkey for medical care due to the moderate costs in hospitals, with the presence of experienced doctors, the nice weather, and the chance to see the country’s tourist attractions.
Health tourism in Turkey had increased in the last three years, with the number of patients reaching 74,093 tourists, and 250,000 last year.
Turkey aims to attract about 500,000 tourists by the year 2015 to gain a USD seven billion in income, while raising the number to two million tourists by 2023, in the country’s 100th foundation anniversary, gaining USD 20 billion.
Istanbul, Kayseri, Adana, and Gaziantep, are the most attractive cities for health tourists, putting Turkey among the 10 largest health tourism destinations in the world. Moreover, patients from Germany, Holland, and France, form the majority of the health tourists in Turkey, followed by Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan.(end) ta.ag KUNA 271457 Jul 13NNNN’

source: http://www.kuna.net.kw / Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) / Home> World News / July 27th, 2013

Washington, DC : 

Nicaragua seeks to improve its position in the growing sub-sector of medical tourism, which generated US$4.8 million in revenues in 2012 and is continuously growing each year, according to specialists.

In Central America, the country that has most developed its medical tourism is Costa Rica, where 100,000 tourists arrive each year seeking medical treatment and prevention, leaving more than US$300 million in revenues according to the study about health tourism market conducted by the investment consultants Calvet & Associates.

According to Raul F. Calvet, President of Calvet & Associates, Nicaragua could receive US$27.2 million in 2020 in this type of tourism and the figure could reach US$105.2 million by 2025. These projected revenues include charges for patients in lodging, food and tours for the patients visitors, said Calvet. According to the study, about 80 percent of medical tourism patients travel accompanied by a family member or a friend.

Medical tourism patients travel mainly to receive plastic surgery, orthodontics, ophthalmology, cancer treatment and general medicine.

Nicaragua already has a hospital certified by the Joint Commission International, which grants a prestigious accreditation that is recognized by medical tourism operators with a presence in the United States, Canada and other developed countries.

The advantages of Nicaragua include low costs of medical services and direct flights to several cities in the United States, where millions of central Americans reside representing a high potential of tourists.

For Central America, the largest market for medical tourism is the United States due to its proximity and for being the largest spender on health care as a percentage of gross domestic product with 16 percent.

PRONicaragua is the Nicaraguan Investment and Export Promotion Agency, established in 2002. It is a non-profit, public-private institution whose mission is to generate economic growth and job creation in Nicaragua by attracting high-quality foreign direct investment. The agency provides complimentary support services to qualified investors seeking investment opportunities in our country. For further information, please contact us at (505) 2270-6400 or  http://pronicaragua.org

source: http://www.world.einnews.com / World News Report / Ein Press Wire / Washington-DC , July 14th, 2013

THE country’s teaching hospitals may soon become medical tourist centres to Africans in need of medical attention.

The Chairman University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital Board, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose stated this in Ilorin, yesterday, during a one-day seminar on industrial harmony, and attended by stakeholders.

The theme for the event was: ‘Promoting Industrial Harmony in a Multi-disciplinary Organisation’.

Buoyed by the level of state-of-the-art equipment at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Anifowose said the Federal Government should be commended for its policy towards improving the health sector via procurement of more instruments and training of hospital personnel.

She said: “Looking at Nigeria’s health sector, one can’t say that one is absolutely satisfied. But the government is doing what is possible within its limited resources. For example, the UITH has, at present, some equipment I never thought could be possible to have.

“Besides, I can mention many teaching hospitals in Nigeria, today, that have the capacity to handle complex medical operations. I was a beneficiary, so I know what I am saying.

“Again, I am now surprised at the space of time with which medical personnel attend to their patients. So, I believe that people all over the world, especially those in Africa should now be coming to Nigeria for medical tourism.” .”

The board chairman, while speaking on the brain drain syndrome that had in the past negatively affected the health sector, said: “Availability of medical equipment is making them to return into the country.”

Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director, (CMD) of UITH, Prof. Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, said that the need to make staff more committed could not be divorced from motive for the seminar. .

He disclosed that leaders of all the existing units at UITH attended the seminar.

Olatinwo praised union leaders at the hospital for shunning local strike actions and participating at national strikes only when there were reasons for such.

The hospital boss said workers at the UITH remained members of a big family, adding that only a holistic attitude to work could lead to major breakthrough in the nation’s health sector.

Speakers at the event included the National Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Isa Aremu, and the Director General of Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) Ilorin, Dr. Niyi Olanrewaju.

source: http://www,ngrguardiannews.com / The Guardian, Nigeria / Home> National / by Abiodun Fagbemi, Illorin / Saturday – July 06th, 2013