Medical tourism- know about top destination & guidance

Medical tourism is known as medical travel or global healthcare. It refers where peoples travel one country to another country to receive medical facility, while at the same time receiving equal to or greater care than they would have to get in their own country, and are travelling for medical care because of affordability, better access to care or a higher level of quality of care. Earlier Medical travel usually referred to those who travelled from less-developed countries to major medical place in highly developed countries for treatment which is unavailable in their country. However, in recent years it may equally refer to those from developed countries who travel to developing countries for lower-priced medical treatments.

India has evolved to become one of such top-notch medical travel destinations which boasts to provide affordable yet qualitative treatment, thus scoring high on several aspects, including patient satisfaction, quality hospitals and renowned doctors to name a few. “Domestic Medical Tourism” is where people travel in the same country where they leave; they travel to another city, region or state to get medical service.

Why Traveling Internationally for Medical Tourmism?

• Peoples are travelling for medical care because of affordability, better access to care or a higher level of quality of care.
• People travel to developing countries for lower priced medical treatments.
• People may travel also for medical services which may be unavailable or illegal in the home country.

Top Medical Travel Destinations in the World:

• Thailand: Foreigners seeking treatment in Thailanda is popular destination for medical tourism, attracting an estimated 2.81 million patients in 2015, up 10.2 percent. In 2013, medical tourists spent as much as US$4.7 billion, according to government statistics. According to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, Malaysia reportedly received 641,000 foreign patients in 2011, 728,800 in 2012, 881,000 in 2013, 882,000 in 2014, 859,000 in 2015, and 921,000 in 2016. The majority of the foreign patients seeking medical treatments in Malaysia are from Indonesia, with smaller numbers of foreign patients coming from India, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Europe, the USA and the Middle East. Revenue from medical travel to Malaysia grew from MYR 299 million in 2008 to MYR 511 in 2011 to MYR 683 million in 2013.
• India: India is becoming the second most medical travel destination after Thailand. India is the great destination of medical travel because quality with the affordable cost; people can get quality treatment at a lower cost if we compare with other developed countries. A person coming to India for his/her medical treatment can save anywhere between 30 to 70 per cent, including the cost of tickets & accommodation. It is one of the grown sectors in India. In October 2015, India’s this sector was estimated to be worth US$3 billion. It is projected to grow to $7–8 billion by 2020. Foreign patients travelling to India to seek medical treatment in 2012 about 171,021, 2013 numbered about 236,898 and 2014 numbered about 184,298 respectively. United States, United Kingdom, Bangladeshis, Russia and Afghans have been the largest source countries for tourism to India. It is also very easy to get visa for tourism for medical reason in India.
• Other courtiers the top Medical Travel Destinations in the World are Brazil, Malaysia, Turkey, Mexico, Singapore & Costa Rica etc.

Some problems you may face in Medical Tourism:

• Communication may be a problem: If you travel for medical treatment you may face language problems, because in every part of the country there may speak a different language.
• If you don’t have any experience or connection you may face problems to find the best medical service provider & service.
• Medication may be counterfeit or of poor quality in some countries
• Time: It may take some time to get treatment & recovery; you have to spend that time in that country. Flying after surgery can increase the risk for blood clots.
• You need to apply for visa properly, in correct time.

What You Can Do if you planning for Medical Tourism:

• If you are planning to travel for treatment, contact at least before 4–5 weeks & take necessary advice from medical service provider where you are travelling for treatment. Discuss general information for healthy travel and specific risks related to the procedure and travel before and after the procedure.
• Check the qualifications of the health care providers who will be doing the procedure and the credentials of the facility where the procedure will be done. Know about the approximate cost of the treatment.
• Better to contact a good Medical Tourism company, which may help you to know the best medical service provider information, approximate the treatment cost & also minimize language problems. The Medical Travel Company can also help provide your local interpreter, which may help to solve language problem & also they can guide you.
• Take with you copies of your medical records that include the lab and other studies done related to the condition for which you are obtaining care and any allergies you may have.
• Arrange for follow-up care with your local health care provider before you leave.

Medical tourism companies in India help foreign patients seek affordable treatment at some of the best hospitals in India, which are located across the length and breadth of the country. If you want to get treatment in India you can contact us, we can guide you.