Involvement of Government Bodies Blows New Life into the Medical Tourism Sector

If we are to believe the latest statistic by Patient Beyond Borders, about 1.4 million people in the United States alone are anticipated to travel outside the country to receive medical assistance. In a brief discussion with some of the research analysts at Allied Market Research, it becomes clear that medical tourism market has gained great popularity with a sudden increase in the number of people planning on getting economical and high quality medical care. These industry experts, who have long been involved in the study of the share and size of the medical tourism market outline that from Asia to the Latin America, government bodies, hospitals, and medical facilities are trying to improve their medical tourism destinations in these regions. 

Popular spots for medical tourism market 

Costa Rica’s medical care system has topped the list, slightly above the healthcare assistance provided in the United States in 2016. Figures presented by Huffington Post revealed that approximately 15% of the foreign tourists visit Costa Rica for cost-effective healthcare services. The article further indicates that a knee replacement surgery that costs close to $34, 000 in the United States, costs about $9,500 in the nation boasting of its biodiversity. The medical tourism market is also flourishing in Colombia. 

Between 2012 and 2013, the industry soared by over 55% in the country. Third on the list is Mexico. The country has long been preferred for its cost-effective healthcare systems, proximity to the United States and Canada, modern facilities and doctors trained in U.S. Several private clinics and healthcare institutions have been eyeing the country and already have established hospital chains and affiliated clinics and hospitals. Some of the big names include the CHRISTUS Health located in Irving, Texas. Speaking of medical tourism market in Asian countries Malaysia has gained fame globally for offering medical care at affordable process. Over 79.5% of the tourists in the country arrive from countries including Thailand and Singapore. 

Fig. 1 Per Capita Healthcare Expenditure, by Geography, 2012–2013 (US$)

 

Government bodies shows great interest in medical tourism industry 

Government bodies worldwide are seen helping hospitals and medical institutions that promote medical tourism. Cabinets are approving different recommendations presented by different committees to improve the medical tourism. Jordan made a bold move when the government approved of certain recommendations to assist medical facilities promoting medical tourism industry in the country. A committee that was headed by the health minister took a closer look at the hurdles obstructing the growth of the sector in the country. The initiative is believed to discover sustainable solutions and enable the local population and tourists to gain optimum benefit from quality healthcare expertise and medical care systems available. 

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In a latest incident, the health minister of India disclosed that the medical tourism market in the country has grown by 28% over the past 3 years. The minister also confirmed that the Center is keen in promoting the industry by granting the much talked about e-medical visas for international tourists. Recently, South Korean government too expanded its support for wellness tourism to lure the health-conscious travelers by combining its existing content with local services including beauty, food & public saunas as well as oriental medicines. Finally, Malaysian government is seen stepping up its effort to challenge initiatives taken by Thailand, Singapore, and India. The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council caught the attention of everyone in the medical tourism market when it introduced a year-long association with a domestic tourism agency.  

New task forces announced by medical tourism promoters 

Countries worldwide are now focusing on increasing their existing task force to improve the current medical tourism programs. Such initiatives are helpful in suggesting effective measures for promoting a country as a destination for medical care. Besides, the task force operates in an inter-ministerial approach and gathers feedback from different ministers heading the railways & civil aviation, tourism, and others. There are several countries that has both developed and tasked with the aim to make serious development on their medical tourism programs. The trend gained popularity when mayor of Columbia announced a new task force for improving medical tourism. Government made it clear that Convention & Visitors Bureau are also an important part of this task force.

Megan McConachie, the communication manager revealed that there were no serious efforts made earlier to advertise such an important part of the sector. She said "Columbia has always had people coming here and seeking medical treatment, because it's such a big part of our economy, and because we have so many resources locally." McConachie continued "This is just going to be a chance to kind of team up and streamline the kinds of experiences that patients and their families have while they're here." In 2015 Anbumani Ramadoss, the Health Minister has emphasized on setting up team under the chairmanship of the Director General of Health Services to assess various opportunities for helping India grow as a health destination. The health minister was addressing his audience at ASSOCHAM Conference on Health Tourism.

Countries expected to enjoy exponential growth in years to come 

Demand for medical treatment owing to their less cost has enabled new countries enter the medical tourism market. Yes, many Indian medical practitioners brought in by the SSPHL to perform highly complicated open heart surgeries will soon make Fiji a favorable destination for medical tourism. SSPHL seems determined to promote the country as destination, especially for joint replacements and heart surgeries. Brazil is not only a favorable destination for athletes but is attracting many seeking cost effective choices for cosmetic surgery. Despite the recession in the country, the number of cosmetic surgeries are increasing by ten percent every year. According to the statistics released by Brazilian Society for Plastic Surgery the country stands second to the U.S, when it comes to the number for cosmetic surgeries being performed. Another country preparing itself to tap a greater inflow of patients from China is Australia.  

So with these developments and more, we can expect the medical tourism market to undergo a huge transformation. 

 

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