Dr Elias Tsakos MD, FRCOGDirectorEmbryoClinic IVF, Greece

“Fertility tourism in Greece;Success story”

Dr Elias Tsakos

• Medical Director of EmbryoClinic IVF, Greece • UK trained Gynaecologist• Fellow of Royal College of Obstetricians &

Gynaecologists, London• Member of BFS, ESHRE, ASRM • Board member of Association of Greek Fertility

Specialists • Board Member of Thessaloniki Med Toursim

Council

CV & “conflicts of interest”

Thessaloniki, Greece

Fertility tourism in Greece.Success story

Contents

1. Global turnover. Sources2. Market leaders3. Specialties involved4. Source countries5. Destination countries6. Why people travel abroad for treatment

Medical tourism .

• Medical Tourism takes place when individuals travel to receive medical (usually elective surgery) treatments.

• Journeys may be short distance, long–distance and even intercontinental.

Medical Tourism

5th century BC

The first recorded medical touriststravelled to the small territory near Athens,Greece, called Epidauria.

This territory was the sanctuary of thehealing God Asklepios

Greece Map

Hippokratis 460-377 BC

Fertility tourism to Greece. Success waiting to happen.

Medical Tourism Destinations

Asia: China, India, IsraelThe Americas: United States, Argentina, Brazil, Europe: Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain Africa: South Africa

Most advanced technology

Better-quality care

Quicker access to care

Lower-cost care

Discretionary procedures

Why people travel abroad for treatment

40%

32%

9%

4%

15%

McKinsey Quarterly, 2008

Why Greece

Greece potential and infrastructure to rank among the top Medical Tourism destinations and become an international "brand name"

Reality in Greece

Promoting Greece as a top health tourism destination,1. DIALYSIS CENTERS 2. ORTHOPEDIC TREATMENTS & REHABILITATION3. PLASTIC - COSMETIC SURGERY 4. FERTILITY TREATMENTS5. EYE SURGERY 6. DENTAL SERVICES7. CARDIAC SURGERY

http://www.medicaltourismgreece.com.gr/Fertility-treatments.

• the practice of traveling abroad to undergofertility treatment

Fertility Tourism

Fertility Tourism

• Personalized care• Higher success rates • Short waiting lists • Low cost• Legislation

Why abroad

IVF Abroadtop tips for a safe & successful journey

• The majority of IVF units are private –competition

• Modern facilities - state of the art equipment.• ISO Certified• Low cost• No waiting lists• Success rates• Location• Personalised - specialized care

Why Greece

In-vitro fertilization has high success inGreece

Visitors of fertility centres may combinehigh standard treatment with vacation inideal holiday destinations

Warm climate improves results Cost is ½ vs UK and around ¼ vs USA !

(even allowing for travel expenses)

Why Greece

http://www.medicaltourismgreece.com.gr/Fertility-treatments.

• NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES• BALKAN COUNTRIES• EUROPEAN COUNTRIES• USA• CANADA • AUSTRALIA

“NICHE” sources of patients

GREEK DIASPORA

TOP 50 COUNTRIES WITH THE LARGEST GREEK DIASPORA

USA 3,0 million (m) Greeks.Australia 0.7 mGermany 0.35 mCanada 0.35 m

www.ggae.gr (General Secretariat for Greek Abroad)

2008 Deloitte Development LLC

US: Cost Estimation

Deloitte, 2008

• USA $ 20 K

• Canada $ 12 K

• UK $ 10 K

• Australia $ 8 K

• Greece $ 1-3 K

IVF Cost worldwide – own eggs(inclusive of pre-IVF tests + drugs)

www.ivf.net.cost

• USA $ 35 K

• Canada Not available

• UK $ 15 K --- limited availability

• Scandinavian countries limited availability

• Australia, Germany Not available

• Greece $ 3-5 K

Donor egg IVF treatment

www.fertilitytreatmentabroad.com, www.advancedfertility.comwww.ivf.net

• Italy limited availabity (illegal until 2014)

• Germany illegal

• Austria illegal

• Turkey illegal

• France limited availability

Donor egg IVF treatment

Sources: www.fertilitytreatmentabroad.com, i www.advancedfertility.comwww.ivf.net

• Thessaloniki is a major commercial in South East Europe.• International airport with daily flights from most European

major cities• Low cost airlines base centre (easy jet & ryan air)• Excellent roads to Balkan countries and Turkey• Cheaper by around 30-50% vs Athens • Multicultural - Cross road of civilizations – East meets West

Why Thessaloniki

Homework

• Internet• Reviews• Success rates• Convenient travel• Regulations, standards (eg ISO,

HFEA), qualifications of scientific personnel

IVF Abroadtop tips for a safe & successful journey

Tips for patients

The promise

The reality …

The promise …

The promise …

The reality…

The promise …

The reality …

Contact potential units

• Complete forms• Skype interview with treating Gynaecologist

(and not an administrator / coordinator)• Assess level of expertise• Assess communication• Assess honesty

Why Greecetop tips for a safe & successful journey

Initial visit

• Take along all medical records• Assess staff, facilities, services, communication,

information• Assess time dedicated to your visit

and compassion

Why Greecetop tips for a safe & successful journey

y

Who do I trust with my family dream?

IVF Abroadtop tips for a safe & successful journey

Fertility show

London

Conferences

IVF in Greeceroad Shows

Dr Elias Tsakos FRCOGMedical Director

IVF Abroadtop tips

for a safe & successful journey

Dr Elias Tsakos FRCOGMedical Director

Dr. Athanasios TolikasGynaecologist

Dr. Dinos KarakoulasAnaesthetist

Dave GibbonConsultant Embryologist

Eros NikitosLaboratory Director

Gilda HassidisClinical Embryologist

Chrysoula DoukakiClinical Embryologist

Dimitra MyronidouMidwife

Daphne MavropoulouMidwife

Electra BaloutoglouAdministrative Staff

Katerina AmvrosiadouAdministrative Staff

Edlira GegaAuxiliary Nurse

Anastasia NikaLab Technician

Dr. Kanelina BimpaBreast Specialist

Our Teamtop tips for a safe & successful journey

Dr. Nikos TsagiasGynaecologist

IVF Abroadtop tips for a safe & successful journey

Your IVF journey,

our support,

Your future

Dr Elias Tsakos FRCOGMedical DirectorEmbryoClinic IVF, Greece

IVF Abroadtop tips

for a safe & successful journey

Initial visit

• Meet the Gynaecologist who will be treating you

• Visit the operating theatre and the IVF laboratories

• Meet the Embryologists

Why Embryoclinic top tips for a safe & successful journey

More homework

• Answer the core question:

Do you trust this Clinic with your treatment?

Why Embryoclinic top tips for a safe & successful journey

Success rates

• Read and compare statistics• Look for logical explanation to the high success rates

portrayedE.g.: diagnostics, 7 day / week operation, senior scientific team performing procedures, infrastructure of lab to high standards, routine application of success-boosting techniques, intense cycle monitoring, etc

Why Embryoclinic top tips for a safe & successful journey

Top tips

• Do your homework• Visit the potential IVF Clinic• Meet the treating Team• Take time to reflect• Trust your instinct

IVF Abroadtop tips for a safe & successful journey

Our team has experience

to assist in setting up this

start up.

Fertility show

London

Leeds

Why Greecetop tips for a safe & successful journey

Dr Elias Tsakos FRCOGMedical Director

IVF Abroadtop tips

for a safe & successful journey

Dr Elias Tsakos FRCOGMedical Director

Dr. Athanasios TolikasGynaecologist

Dr. Dinos KarakoulasAnaesthetist

Dave GibbonConsultant Embryologist

Eros NikitosLaboratory Director

Gilda HassidisClinical Embryologist

Chrysoula DoukakiClinical Embryologist

Dimitra MyronidouMidwife

Daphne MavropoulouMidwife

Electra BaloutoglouAdministrative Staff

Katerina AmvrosiadouAdministrative Staff

Edlira GegaAuxiliary Nurse

Anastasia NikaLab Technician

Dr. Kanelina BimpaBreast Specialist

Our Teamtop tips for a safe & successful journey

Dr. Nikos TsagiasGynaecologist

Who do I trust with my family dream?

IVF Abroadtop tips for a safe & successful journey

Your IVF journey,

our support,

Your future

IVF Abroadtop tips for a safe & successful journey