Citizens of developed nations will benefit immensely from medical tourism. It offers an inexpensive window for healthcare. You have access to a multitude of medicine and culture. It’s a great way to combat legal limitations on drugs. Moreover, medical destinations abroad may sometimes provide with more relaxing and friendlier environment for recovery.
Top global medical destinations
Countries such as Singapore, South Korea and Thailand are amongst the top medical destinations. The healthcare policies in these nations are welcoming towards foreigners. The costs are comparably lower than the west. They have state of art healthcare facilities. The procedures are a lot quicker and effective. It’s easier to travel to and around these destinations.
If you want cheaper alternatives, you are looking at Malaysia or India. Malaysia is pretty much an inexpensive version of Singapore. Then, there is Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong with top notch medical facilities too. Let’s discuss on why these countries rank so high as global medical destinations.
Why South East Asia and Gulf?
These are places that are very open to foreigners. Dubai, Singapore and Malaysia are modern societies. They like to learn from other cultures and practices. Collective knowledge works at best here. There is diversity and learning based on that. They have a forward approach to medical procedures and equipment.
Why not Europe?
If you consider Europe, they are largely made up of locals. Barring England, most other counties favor anti-immigration policies to different extents. The locals have a sentimental attachment to the old school medical practices. In most cases, the hospitals are just backwards in time. Moreover, the bills aren’t helping too.
Cost savers: India and Mexico
When it comes to cutting down the costs, you can’t overlook India or Mexico. India seems to be more of a global destination. Mexico happens to be the little escape from tall bills for Americans. In India, the costs of healthcare are 70-90% less than U.S. or Canada. Bypass surgeries that cost over $100,000 costs just under $10,000 in India. It can be even lesser in Mexico.
Cosmetic surgery destinations: Brazil and Thailand
Brazil has become the top spot for getting plastic surgeries. They are everything like Venezuela, minus being inaccessible. Girls get breast implants for sweet sixteen birthday gifts here. A facelift that costs $6000 in the U.S. is just under $2000 here. Thailand excels at being a cosmetic as well as medical destination. Working with a western medical travel agent is essential. Unsuspecting travellers who travel unprepared can get scammed by fake doctors. Not knowing the local language makes people vulnerable.
Tech Savvy: South Korea and U.S.A
South Korea and U.S.A deploy cutting-edge technology in healthcare services. The former offers it a lot cheaper than latter. South Korea offers insurance coverage to medical tourists too. It typically covers stress disorders, injury, death caused by bad treatment, etc… Well trained staff counts as a huge bonus. The steep healthcare costs in the U.S don’t stop travellers with deep pockets. U.S healthcare system treats over 800,000 medical travellers annually.