Group wants medical tourism banned

Posted on May 28, 2012 | Comments Off on Group wants medical tourism banned

JAF says Lagos State public officials should be stopped from seeking medical treatment abroad

The Joint Action Front (JAF), a pro-labour civil society coalition, has requested that Foreign Missions in Nigeria place a ban on Lagos State public officials seeking medical treatment abroad.

In a press statement jointly signed by the group chairperson, Dipo Fashina, and its secretary,  Abiodun Aremu, JAF questioned the rights of the public officials and their relatives to go on medical tourism at a time when the state health sector is in crisis.

The group said that the action was “criminal, and must be disallowed.”

“This is sequel to the information available to us that senior officials of the Lagos State Government and their relations are leaving the country for medical treatment, at very great cost to the taxpayer, while the greater mass of the people suffer under the current situation,” the statement read.

The group said the state government has violated international and national labour laws by sacking 788 doctors earlier this month.

Consequently, doctors in federal hospitals went on a solidarity strike in support of their colleagues, grounding activities in public hospitals in the state.

JAF blamed the state government’s “arrogance and insensitivity” for the ongoing crisis.

Government, by its action to sack the doctors, according to the report, has “left the poor, underprivileged and vulnerable to sudden death.”

“Therefore, JAF urges your Excellencies to ensure that no functionary of the Lagos State Government or their families should be granted Visa to travel abroad to seek medical treatment until the current situation is resolved,” the statement further read.

The group urged immediate resolution of the crisis, and told the state government to unconditionally revert the sack order.

source: http://www.dailytimes.com.ng / Article / by Gbenro Adeoye / May 27th, 2012

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Posted in Associations/Organisations/Government/NonGovernment, Medical Tourism/Health Tourism, Others

Gallery

Visitor Insurance Leadership Award for NRIOL

Posted on May 27, 2012

Richmond, Va., May 25, 2012/PRNewswire via COMTEX/ International Services Inc. (d.b.a. NRIOL), providers of Health Insurance for Visitors & Health Insurance for International Students within the US and abroad, earned the 2011 Excellence in International Healthcare/Medical Tourism Leadership Award at … Continue reading →

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Govt mouthpiece bats for surrogacy tourism

Posted on May 21, 2012 | Comments Off on Govt mouthpiece bats for surrogacy tourism

Ahmedabad:

Branding surrogacy as “reproductive tourism”, the official mouthpiece of the Gujarat government has described the practice as a money-spinner for both the state and the surrogates. This comes even as issues surrounding commercial surrogacy continue to be debated.

“Today in this fast-paced technological world, remote solutions such as surrogacy have now become common realities. Some of us would deridingly call it a womb-on-rent, when a woman bears a child for someone else…,” says an article in the latest issue of The Gujarat.

The quarterly magazine, published by the state Commissionerate of Information, carries a cover story on Swami Vivekananda and has a “special feature” on reproductive tourism.

Written as a first person narrative of a personal visit to a town in south Gujarat, the article, titled Where the storks dare to fly…, states: “It is indeed remarkable that one small city in Gujarat has turned into reality, what might seem to be a distant dream for the rest of India. The state has set a precedent in embracing humanist ideas by facilitating reproductive tourism, which has proved immensely valuable.”

Talking about the surrogates — mostly women from poor socio-economic backgrounds, who get paid between Rs 2.5-Rs 4 lakh for bearing a child mostly for childless NRIs or foreigners — the author writes, “Apart from empowering the surrogates, it is bringing a lot of revenue for the state… furthering its development.”

The article focuses mostly on the surrogacy clinic of Dr Nayana Patel that thrives in Anand. The home of India’s milk revolution is described in the article as “unassuming town which has made an indelible mark on the world map for reproductive tourism”.

“Cynics may argue on the ethics of the process. But can cynics give a child to a childless couple and empower surrogates not only through financial independence, but also through a sense of working for a noble cause?” Dr Patel is quoted as saying in the article.

While the government has been promoting medical tourism for about a decade now, the tourism policy does not carry any mention about surrogacy or its promotion. “We cannot patronise any one discipline,” state Health and Family Welfare Minister Jaynarayan Vyas told The Indian Express when asked about the government’s official stand on surrogacy.

“It is one of the accepted medical fields that has its own accepted nuances and standard practices. There are several IVF clinics in Gujarat that are run by highly trained and capable professional doctors. However, like any other law it has its own hazards,” added the minister who felt that surrogacy in India had “deep roots” and could be traced to “Vedas” and “Puranas”.

However, last week’s incident wherein a 30-year-old surrogate mother died at an Ahmedabad hospital while carrying a kid for a American couple, has added a new dimension to the debate on surrogacy. The woman, Premila Vaghela, was eight-month pregnant and is survived by two children.

While the Vaghela family refused to speak to on the issue, Dr Patel from Anand said, “At present, the contracts signed between the surrogate mother and the couple (whose baby she is carrying) does not talk of any compensation in case of death of the surrogate mother. Those who agree to become surrogates are told well in advance about the complications involved in pregnancy.”

Dr Patel, who has so far overseen birth to 496 surrogate children at her clinic in Anand since 2004, added that though it was “difficult to find insurance companies are who are willing to insure pregnant women”, her clinic had “instances in the past where surrogate mothers were insured for a sum of Rs 2 lakh in case of death”.

source: http://www.ExpressIndia.com / Home> Story / by Avinash Nair / May 21st, 2012

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Posted in Fertility Tourism, Reports,Features, Statistics, Wellness Tourism

Benefits of Medical Tourism for Cosmetic Surgery

Posted on May 19, 2012 | Comments Off on Benefits of Medical Tourism for Cosmetic Surgery

What is medical tourism?

Healthcare costs seem to increase every single year. Most people have health insurance that does not cover all their needs. When coverage is not present, the financial impact can be devastating. A single operation that is not covered properly can result in a lifetime of debt. Worse, many procedures, including most types of cosmetic surgery, are not covered by insurance.

Many people are turning to medical tourism. Medical tourism is when a person travels to another location, generally to another country, to receive healthcare. For many reasons, healthcare costs vary widely across different countries. If the quality of care is the same, it only makes sense to go where the best value is. After all, most people shop around when buying a car or television. Why should a surgical operation be different than other major purchases?

Cosmetic surgery is one of the most common reasons people engage in medical tourism. There are several reasons for this. First of all, most insurance companies will not cover the costs of cosmetic surgery, as it is usually an elective procedure. Secondly, because cosmetic surgery is elective and is normally not urgent, people have time to consider various locations, select an appropriate provider and board a plane for their desired destinations. These steps are not feasible for someone who is having a heart attack, but for people desiring cosmetic surgery, medical tourism is a great way to receive excellent service and save money.

People considering breast surgery abroad, or other types of cosmetic surgery, should be aware of the following risks and insurance coverage:

– While many hospitals in other countries are internationally certified and meet the highest safety standards, some hospitals do not. These hospitals can be risky. However, many hospitals have high reputations are are as safe as any in the world.
– Similarly, some hospitals may charge patients for procedures they do not truly need. It is doubly important to be aware of what your own needs are, and to be on the lookout for possible scams.
– In some countries, various criminals will attempt to swindle foreigners outside of the hospital as well. Some countries may also have different laws and customs. It is critical to be aware of the new environment a different country brings.
– Traveling after receiving cosmetic surgery may be inadvisable. A patient may need to stay in the country for a few additional days before boarding an airplane, as long flights can hamper recovery.
– People with a criminal record may have difficulty traveling to some other countries.
Are you insured for medical and cosmetic procedures abroad? Take note that insurance may cover cosmetic surgery as a pre-existing condition, but find out if the big 5 health insurance companies can offer better.

At the end of the day, what are the pros and cons of going abroad for cosmetic surgery? If you answer ‘yes’ to most of these questions, you are an excellent candidate:
1) Do you want to save money on cosmetic surgery?
2) Are you comfortable adapting to the environment in a foreign country?
3) Do you have a passport?
4) Does your current health insurance policy lack coverage for cosmetic surgery?
5) Can you obtain a sufficient amount of time away from work to allow for a plane flight, an operation, recovery and a return flight?

What is the cost of going abroad for a tummy tuck or other cosmetic procedure? Obviously, the exact price varies from country to country and hospital to hospital, but it is not difficult to find high-quality, modern doctors offering procedures for a fraction of the price you would pay at home. The operation can be done quickly and conveniently. While you are abroad, you can enjoy more traditional types of tourism as well. It is really not a hassle at all. In fact, medical tourism can be quite a rewarding experience, as well as an excellent way to save money.

source: http://www.breakingtravelnews.com / Home> Focus / May 18th, 2012

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Posted in Medical Tourism/Health Tourism

greener vistas: Eco-tourism gets a fillip, wellness centres, cycling tracks planned

Posted on May 17, 2012 | Comments Off on greener vistas: Eco-tourism gets a fillip, wellness centres, cycling tracks planned

The Delhi Tourism department has invited proposals to develop a wellness centre at the Garden of Five Senses near Saket. This move is in line with the department’s promotion of eco-tourism at various locations across the city.

The initiative also includes two development projects along the Najafgarh drain with a plan to develop cycling tracks and a broad walkway in green spots at Chhawla and Kanganheri in the upstream reaches.

The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Ltd (DTTDC) has floated tenders for a transactional advisor, and hopes to appoint a private company to develop the two spots over the Najafgarh drain by early 2013.

According to the plan, which does not involve cutting trees, the department wants to develop a sunset point and a restaurant in the two-acre land at Chhawla. “A broad walkway would be developed over the trees to give a pleasant and greener view to tourists,” a Delhi tourism official said.

About two-km upstream of Chhawla is another spot measuring 11 acres, which has been rounded off by the department at Kanganheri. “We have already created 12 platforms for tents to be set up. Toilets and bathrooms have also already been developed. The private player will now come with camping equipment. We have created a cycling track with barricades and the complex will also have a restaurant,” the official said.

Officials agree the quality of water in the Najafgarh drain is not good. “But it isn’t too bad either, since the water has fish. Water in the drain is cleaner upstream of Chhawla as compared to the rest of the drain,” the tourism official said.

The estimated cost for the development of the complex is Rs 4.5 crore, the official said.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / Home> IE> Story / Thursday, May 17th, 2012

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Posted in Wellness Tourism