Medical tourism has become a real boom in the 21st century. According to Patients Beyond Borders, millions of patients from all over the world turn to hospitals abroad every year, contributing to a global industry worth $24-40 billion.
There are several reasons for the popularity of medical tourism, including the following:
- treatment with the use of advanced medical technologies and the latest diagnostic procedures;
- the opportunity to get advice from a world-class specialist;
- avoiding long queues at local clinics.
Hospitals in many countries offer high-quality healthcare at a reasonable price. Therefore, it can be challenging to choose the best medical tourism destinations. Even in the most advanced country, treatment has positive and negative aspects, so it is essential to have reliable support nearby.
Medical tourism agencies are professional companies that specialize in organizing the treatment process for clients coming from abroad. Specialists working in this field arrange a trip for clients abroad and accompany the patient directly to the hospital, make his stay in the country as comfortable as possible, solve all problems that arise, etc.
Medical curators save you time studying foreign healthcare offers and provide information about the highest quality healthcare services, hospitals, doctors, hotels, flights, etc.
Next, we will tell you about the top 5 promising areas of medical tourism and the best medical tourism companies.
Germany
Germany has a reputation as one of the leaders in oncology treatment. There are several advanced treatment centers in this country where world-known specialists in treating various types of cancer work. As a rule, patients come to Germany from all corners of the globe because they cannot access specialized care in their home country.
The best medical tourism companies:
- MedTour24;
- Airomedical;
- IPS-Germany.
Spain
The country is popular with patients from the UK, France, and the USA. According to WHO, Spain has the seventh best healthcare system in the world. Doctors in Spain perform up to 2.4 million operations annually. Well-known hospitals, such as the Teknon Medical Center in Barcelona, offer comprehensive treatment of diseases related to neurology, oncology, orthopedics, hematology, and plastic surgery. The picturesque beauty of the Mediterranean coast of Spain is another factor contributing to the development of the medical tourism industry.
The best medical tourism companies:
- Med Valencia;
- Valenia Health Services;
- MedicalHelp Spain.
Thailand
Surrounded by tropical beaches, magnificent Buddhist temples, and picturesque ancient ruins, Thailand has been included among the best countries for healthcare abroad. It meets thousands of patients from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Europe annually.
According to IMTJ, more than 60 JCI-accredited hospitals in Thailand offer the most modern technologies and competent personnel with experience performing the most complex operations. As a result, the treatment cost in Thailand is significantly lower than in other countries. Patients can save 50 to 80% of the price by choosing Thailand rather than Europe or the USA.
The best medical tourism companies:
- Lotus Medical;
- Clinic Soi;
- Thailand for Healthcare.
Israel
Israel was included in the list of medical tourism leaders, primarily due to its worldwide reputation, high-quality healthcare, and world-famous hospitals. Many complex procedures for treating oncological and cardiovascular diseases are available in Israel at reasonable prices. In addition, the Ministry of Health regulates the qualifications and certification of Israeli doctors, some of whom have earned a reputation known worldwide. As a result, Israel is rightfully considered the best provider of healthcare services.
The best medical tourism companies:
- RST Global;
- IS-Med Treatment in Israel;
- Medisra Center.
- Turkey
More than 300 hospitals in Turkey have close ties with various American and European organizations. Some include Johns Hopkins, the Mayo Clinic, and the Sloan Kettering Memorial.
Accessible and personalized treatment in Turkey is another critical factor responsible for the large influx of foreign patients. Treatment packs in Turkey cost half of what is shown in Europe or the USA. In addition, these packages include many services such as patient transportation, accommodation, language assistance, etc. Turkey is best known for treating oncology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, cardiac, and orthopedic diseases.
The best medical tourism companies:
- Hermes Clinics;
- MCAN Health;
- Medilife Group.
The choice of the country for treatment, as always, is yours. Do you need high-quality healthcare and guaranteed results? Try Germany. Do you have a limited budget? Use the services of Turkish hospitals. Do you, like most medical tourists, need high-quality treatment at an affordable price? Israel may be the best choice in this case.
References:
- Patients Beyond Borders: Everybody’s Guide to Affordable, World-Class Healthcare
- UNWTO: Exploring Health Tourism
- CDC: Travel to Another Country for Medical Care
- AiroMedical: Treatment in Germany (advantages and benefits)
- Regiondo: Health Tourism in the EU: Facts and Figures
- Statista: Number of Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited medical facilities in Thailand
- ResearchGate: Medical Tourism in Asia: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and India
