Medical Tourism: Advantages Of Offshore Health Care

Medical Tourism can be defined as the provision forOne major reason that medical tourism is attractive
patients to travel offshore in search of faster,to many people is that it offers medical treatments
cost-effective and safer medical and surgicalat a comparatively low cost. Moreover the public
procedures. A combination of various differenthealthcare systems in developed countries are very
factors have led many people from industrializedmuch overburdened and traveling to foreign land for
countries to migrate in order to get high qualityimmediate treatment is often a solution to the
medical treatment. The various reasons are the costproblem. Medical tourism is popular and generally
issues, ease and affordability of international travel,accepted because it provides the patients with
long frustrating queues in many nations and above allmedical assistance accompanied by five-star
improving technology standards of health care intreatment and exclusive vacations. Thailand and India
many countries of the world. Both the health sectorare among the emerging popular spots for medical
and the tourism industry help to facilitate the processtourism. The Government of India has successfully
in these countries.exerted its leadership to assist in the development of
The concept of medical tourism actually traces backthe medical tourism industry in the country.
to ancient Greece, where pilgrims and patients fromIndia is one of the leading players in the medical
all over the Mediterranean came to the sanctuary oftourism industry today. Cosmetic surgery and dental
healing god, Asklepios, at Epidaurus. In the 18thtreatments is usually what the medical tourists have
century the wealthy Europeans from Germanybeen looking for, but recent studies reveal even eye
traveled to the Mediterranean spas. The 21st centurysurgery, kidney dialysis and organ transplantation are
has taken the medical tourism industry beyond theamong the most common procedures sought by
wealthy and the desperate providing low costmedical vacationers. In particular, India excels in
treatment and transportation services. The leisure,open-heart surgery, pediatric heart surgery, bone
fun and relaxation together with health care attachedmarrow transplants and cancer therapy. Indian
to it have made medical tourism a common form ofhospitals are equipped with the latest electronic and
vacation.medical diagnostic equipment. Indian pharmaceuticals
Medical tourism presents an opportunity for hospitalsmeet the stringent requirements of U.S. Food and
to tap the potential of the international healthcareDrug Administration and even qualify for the
market and eventually leverage their business. TheAmerican standards for quality of care.
advancement of medical technology, increasedThe medical tourism in India has become one of the
transportation facilities and necessity of immediatebooming business sectors. Marketing ones facilities
quality healthcare has encouraged the healthcarewith informative websites outlining the transparent
providers to go global. Medical tourists travel greatpricing schemes and availability of latest medical
distances to seek world-class doctors and hospitals.accoutrements are the trend of the day. As more
The healthcare providers worldwide are investing toand more patients from affluent nations look for
acquire the cutting edge technology and venture intoeffective options in India, the medical tourism
the areas of latest medical research. They evenindustry has been expanding at a fast pace.
provide lucrative non-medical services such asDevelopments will of course lead to various other
hospitality services, spa facilities, and pick-up serviceseconomic activities where the main element will
to facilitate the stay and treatment of theiralways remain quality.
international clientele.