Medical-Tourism-Trends---Dec'10.pdf

7/27/2019 Medical-Tourism-Trends---Dec'10.pdf

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Medical Tourism Trends


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Table of Contents

1. Analyst View

2. Industry Developments2.1 Eastern System of Medicine: Ayurveda,

Naturopathy, Yoga and Meditation2.2 Cosmetic Surgery: A Growing

Medical Tourism Business

3. Country Developments

3.1 US3.2 Brazil3.3 Bahamas3.4 UK3.5 Germany3.6 India3.7 Malaysia3.8 Thailand3.9 Japan3.10 Taiwan3.11 China

3.12 Philippines3.13 Korea3.14 UAE3.15 Turkey3.16 Israel3.17 Iran3.18 Jordan3.19 Mexico3.20 Lebanon3.21 Singapore3.22 Iraq3.23 Sri Lanka

3.24 Colombia


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Analyst View

Health tourism is playing animportant role in the tourism marketsince the 18th century. It is a basketof services to patient-tourists whowant their medical treatments donein foreign countries. Medical touroffers them savings, quality,

immediate services, convenienceand travel opportunities. This sectorhas huge potential for future growth.

Currently, the global medicaltourism industry stands at anestimated value of over US$ 60Billion and is expected to exceedover US$ 100 Billion over the nexttwo years. This industry isexperiencing an exciting phasewhere international and nationalactivities are taking place to boost

the health sector. In recent years,India, Thailand, Singapore and

Malaysia have become preferreddestinations with medical expertiseand travel destinations to enjoymedical vacation.

The reason behind travellingfor medical purposes is low costservices available in the Asiancountries. Apart from this, hospitalsare providing high quality andprofessional treatments. Thehospitals are going for accreditationprogrammes to maintain theirstandards as provided in hospitalsof the US and UK that has become

the main reason for people to lookabroad for medical healthcare.

A new trend has been seen withmedical patients to visit abroad foralternate system of medicine. Thisled to the emergence of Yoga,

Ayurveda and Naturopathy as themost demanding choices for renewalof body, mind and spirit with medicaltreatment. Other segments, whichare source of attraction in the

medical tourism industry, are kneereplacement surgery, cosmeticsurgery, laser treatments and weightloss. One of the emerging segmentsis genetically engineered babies thatgained the attention of parents tohave babies according to their wish.

Looking at the future growth ofthis sector, private companies,hospitals, travel agents andinsurance agents are also putting inefforts to offer best packages atcompetitive low price with qualityservices to attract medical tourist.

Global medical tourismindustry stands at an

estimated value of overUS$ 60 Billion and is

expected to exceed overUS$ 100 Billion over the

next two years


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Industry Developments

The medical tourism industry has shifted itsstrength from surgical and non-surgical healthcareprocedures towards eastern system of medicine like

Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Yoga andMeditation. These alternative systems of medicinelead to perfect physical and mental health. Tourists aremade to feel relax and refresh along with the cure ofdiseases that attract them most towards suchsystems. These alternative traditional treatments areexpanding aggressively in Malaysia, Thailand andIndia.

These methods are safe and nontoxic thanconventional therapies and cost is relatively lesser

than surgical treatments. Rejuvenation and relaxationtherapies are offered by the Asian countries at theirworld class spas. India is providing cosmeticmakeovers through Ayurveda. Kerala (an Indian state)is concentrating on Ayurvedic way of treatments forthe visitors and tourists and has gained the title of 'Cityof Ayurvada'. Thailand has set up spas and massagescentre in hotels and near airports.

Eastern System of Medicine: Ayurveda,Naturopathy, Yoga and Meditation

The countries are putting up efforts to set upquality services near tourist destinations like coastalareas to offer tourist escape with healthcarepampering in one package.


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Cosmetic surgery can remove deformities andenhance a person's appearance. An increasingnumber of people from both developed and developingcountries prefer to go overseas for cosmetic surgery

because of cost benefits. This has given strongimpetus to the medical tourism industries of those

Cosmetic Surgery: A Growing MedicalTourism Business

countries, which are equipped with state-of-the-artcosmetic surgery infrastructure and attractive touristdestinations. These countries provide a combinationof surgical expertise along with cutting edge plasticsurgery procedures, treatments and therapies.

Analyzing the cosmetic industry at the countrylevel, we have found that developing countries likeIndia and Taiwan have performed well. Besides, thegovernment support is essential for the developmentof cosmetic industry. They are combining thecosmetic treatments with medical tourism to attractpatients with advanced infrastructure and low cost.Besides, other Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysiaand Singapore have become the favorite destinationsfor the Breast surgery, Buttock lift, Face lift, Hairreplacement, Laser skin resurfacing and Reshaping ofthe nose. India is preferred for liposuction cosmetic

surgery.

Argentina, Mexico and Costa Rica popularity asdestination for cosmetic surgery is rising. They offerfacilities with the world class hospitals and clinics.


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Country Developments

US

Rush hospital, group to study medical tourism

October 25, 2010, Rush University Medical Center workingwith a national group of academic medical centers received a$500,000 grant designed to boost medical travel to the US. The

grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce will be used inpart to better quantify the number of foreigners coming to theU.S. for medical care.Source: Chicago Business

Brazil

Porto Alegre Sponsors at Medical TourismConference

September 9, 2010, Porto Alegre Health Care Cluster isthe first public-private organization focused on Medical Tourism

in Brazil, uniting the city government, representativeassociations, hospitals and doctors on a great health, wellnessand hospitality supply chain.Source: Health Tourism Magazine

Germany

Germany increases health insurance prices

November 25, 2010, The German government hasdecided to increase health insurance prices due to the rising costof healthcare and hoping to increase income from inbound

medical tourism.Source: Treatment Abroad

Increase in GCC tourists visit to Germany

October 10, 2010, Germany is focusing on increasinghealth tourism in the country. Many German hospitals are havingspecial offers for Arab guests, such as, Arabic language supportfor patients and accompanying relatives. GNTO had been

promoting Germany intensively in the Gulf region to boost traveland tourism.Source: Arabnews

Bahamas

Medical firms targeting the Bahamas

October 26, 2010, The tourism minister has announcedthat many companies are interested in offering health-relatedservices in the Bahamas for which, they are trying to get the

approval from the National Economic Council. Increasing effortsof medical companies will help in stimulating medical tourism.Source: The Tribune

UK

UK: British government funds major academicstudy of medical tourism

October 15, 2010, The British government will be fundingthe 18-month study of medical tourism led by an academicfrom the University of York. The study will help in examining the

motives of people for travelling across national boundaries toreceive treatments such as, dental services, elective surgery forhip or joint replacement, cosmetic surgery, and fertilitytreatment etc.Source: IMTJ


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India

Financial support to medical tourism serviceproviders

November 15, 2010,Medical tourism service providers willbe given financial assistance as medical tourism is includedunder Marketing Development Assistance scheme. The tourismministry has sanctioned Rs.12.47 lakh as MDA to 10 medicaltourism service providers for the current year.Source: Sify Finance

Medical Tourism drives Hip Resurfacing Surgeryvolumes in India

November 13, 2010, India has become a global destinationfor high quality Hip Resurfacing surgeries as large number of

patients from all over the world are coming to India to undergo highquality Hip Joint Surgery at world-class internationally accreditedJoint Replacement Centers due to low cost of surgery than othercountries like the US, the UK, or Canada.Source: Release-news

Tamil Nadu becoming hub of medical tourism

October 27, 2010,Tamil Nadu has been emerging as amedical tourism hub by attracting more and more tourists. Thestate has also refurnished its Malar Hospital and changed itsname to Fortis Malar Hospital. The new revamped and upgradedhospital will help in providing quality healthcare to touristsvisiting for cure.Source: ExpressBuzz

Focus on niche tourism, Pillai tells industry

October 8, 2010, IANS Planning Commission MemberSecretary, Sudha Pillai stressed the need to promote niche

tourism with special focus on medical wellness. The tourismministry is planning to encourage public-private partnerships forthe development of tourism facilities such as, conventioncentres, health, and rejuvenation facilities.Source: Sifyfinance

HP to organise Ayurveda Mela

September 22, 2010, The government launched aspecial programme to promote Ayurvedic health care systemwith the central government's assistance. Himachal Pradeshwould be second state after Kerala to introduce this system toboost tourism.Source: IBN Live

Gujarat announces several incentives for buildingup to 22-storey high hotels and hospital

September 10, 2010, The Gujarat Government announced aslew of incentives to encourage building up to 22-storey high hotelsand hospitals to provide modern facilities to tourists from different paof India and abroad. Urban Development Minister also announced incentives for the hospitality industry and medical tourism.Source: Orissa Diary

Medical Tourism Expo announced by IWHTA inMumbai, India

August 9, 2010, IWHTA announced 'Medical Tourism Expo2010' - The largest and most comprehensive medical tourism exin Asia to be organized in Mumbai on 2-4 December, 2010.International patient groups, India based employer groups (withunits in the USA and Europe), Insurance executives, Hospitals,Facilitators, Doctors, investors and entrepreneurs will take part toenhance the medical tourism industry in India.Source: PR Log

Indian Hospitals, Wellness and Medical Tourismplayers join forces to make India the GlobalHealthcare Destination

August 3, 2010,Leading Indian Hospitals, Healthcareproviders, Medical Tourism players have come together to form anorganization - Indian Medical Travel Association (IMTA) that aims towork together to have India a heading tellurian healthcare destinatioSource: News Tube

Medical Tourism Association Announces StrategicInitiatives for Much Awaiting Global Healthcare &Medical Tourism Congress 2010

July 20, 2010, The Medical Tourism Association, announcenew strategic initiatives under the theme progress in motion for

global healthcare stakeholders, allowing them to discover & learabout intense topics of medical tourism, extending networkingopportunities and creating knowledge sharing possibilities betwegovernment, insurance, healthcare and tourism professionals.Source: Market Wire

Team to market India as medical tourism destinatioin Britain

July 18, 2010, Representatives of Indian healthcare sectorare visiting Britain to market India as an efficient and cost-effectivmedical tourism destination.Source: Economic Times


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Malaysia

Malaysia to Seek Assistance from India to Help inRecruiting Doctors

November 15, 2010, The Malaysian Government hasdecided to approach its Indian counterpart for assistance to hiremedical specialists to boost medical tourism in the country. Thecountry is also seeking assistance from Pakistan and Egypt.Source: Topnews

Malaysia pushes health and wellness tourism

October 29, 2010,The Ministry of Health has selected 35of Malaysia's best private hospitals for promotion of health andwellness tourism and will continue efforts to facilitate access tomedical services. Tourism Malaysia is working with operators toaugment the growth of the segment as medical tourism is astrong potential market.Source: TravelBlackboard

Malaysia Govt relaxes ad rules for private clinics

September 23, 2010, In realization of the need to send outthe right information to the public on the country's medicalfacilities and to promote medical health tourism, the governmenthas decided to relax and liberalise its previously stringentadvertising rules and allow some 7,000 private clinics and 200over private hospitals nationwide to advertise their services.Source: The Sunday Daily

M'sia earned RM10 bln in medical tourism lastyear

September 21, 2010, Medical tourism is well developed inMalaysia, and it took in patients from nearby countries that

included Indonesia, Thailand and The Philippines for treatmentunder specialist.Source: Tourism Ministry

Thailand

TAT presents 12 finalists of Thailand MedicalTourism Blog Contest

November 30, 2010, The Tourism Authority of Thailandhas organized the Thailand Medical Tourism Blog Contest to

promote medical tourism in Thailand with prizes worth up toUS$20,000. The TAT Selection Committee has selected the 12finalists based on reputable profiles relevant to tourism and

medical tourism to compete in the final round in Thailand.Source: Eturbonews

Thailand pins hopes on medical tourism

October 25, 2010, The Tourism Authority of Thailand haslaunched a new portal for visitors to find information on medicaltourism in the country, to boost medical tourism. The countryseeks to position itself as a global leader in the field. TraditionalThai medicine practitioners are also listed on the website alongwith their level of accreditation and standard.Source: The Independent

Thailand Organizes Medical Road Show in GulfRegion

October 6, 2010, Thailand has planned to organize amedical road show in the gulf region to intensify awarenesscampaign in the region. The road show will also help to promoteThailand's expertise and specialization in providing cutting edgehealth and medical care to people.Source: Qatar Tribune

Phuket eyes 'huge' medical tourism boom

July 31, 2010, The government is developing Pukhet city

as a medical tourist destination under its five-year plan for 2010to 2014 to boost medical tourism by spending 3.13 Million bhat.Source: The Nation Thai Visa Forum


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Japan

Medical Tourism Promoted by Japan

November 29, 2010, Japanese travel agencies arepromoting medical tourism in a tie-up with the government. Thetravel agencies have started offering medical tours to Chinese

people that enable them to receive medical checks at a top-notch hospital before enjoying shopping and visiting a spa resort

in Japan.Source: Jiji Press Ticker Service

Japanese government looks online to attractmedical tourists

October 21, 2010, The Japanese government is planningto expand medical tourism by providing information on websitesof Japanese embassies and consulates. The plan is to make thecountry's advanced medical services accessible to wealthyChinese and Asians as medical travel is now a part of thegovernment's strategy to boost the economy.Source: Treatment Abroad

New organization to promote medical tourism toJapan

July 15, 2010, The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry ofJapan plans to launch a new organization in 2011 with the soleaim of increasing medical tourism to Japan. The governmenthas identified the provision of advanced medical services toforeign visitors at domestic hospitals as a potential growth areafor the nation's medical industry.Source: International Medical Travel Journal

Taiwan

Taiwan Set for Big Slice of Medical Travel Pie

November 29, 2010, Taiwan is going to develop itsmedical tourism sector from 2011 with plans to build five hubsaround the island and an advertising blitz. The five hubs will bebuilt on a 22-hectare site next to Taoyuan International Airport,with investment estimated at $330 Million.Source: CRIEnglish

Joint force needed to develop medical tourism:organization

November 22, 2010, The Taiwanese government hasdecided the collaboration between private and public hospitalsto make Taiwan a popular medical tourism destination. Thegovernment is also assisting Taiwanese hospitals in meeting thedemands of foreign patients.Source: Focus Taiwan

Taiwan Land Development eyes medical tourismmarket

September 28, 2010,Taiwan Land Development Corp.announced its plan to build three healthcare villages in Hualien,Kiment and Hsinchu, capitalizing on the surging popularity ofmedical tourism.Source: China Post

TAITRA helps reel in NT$100 million for Taiwan'smedical tourism

September 27, 2010,Under the promotional mission theTAITRA, from January to September this year, brought 19groups from China, Southeast Asia and Australia to experienceTaiwan's advanced medical services, realizing total profits of

around NT$20 million (US$638,496).Source: Focus Taiwan

Jordan

Prime Minister forms medical tourism committee

October 25, 2010, The Prime Minister of Jordan hasformed a committee for medical tourism. The committee hasbeen tasked with drawing up plans to enhance the status ofmedical tourism in Jordan.Source: Ammonnews


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China

China to attract medical tourists

November 22, 2010, China's Yanda Group and ChineseUniversity have decided to cooperate in education, research,and diagnosis to attract medical tourist from other countries.China has also introduced a for-profit hospital system to allow

private capital to invest in medical services, while allowingforeign capital to have hospital ownership.Source: Donga news

ZION in China to promote medical tourism

October 27, 2010, China has formed a Guangzhou-basedZion Health Control and Youth Rejuvenation Center (ZION) to

promote medical tourism in the country. The visitors can join thiscenter, which will offer them medical services at centers in China.Source: TaipeiTimes

Korea

Developments in Korean medical tourism

November 9, 2010,South Korea clinics and thegovernment are trying hard to build up its medical tourism sectorto attract foreign tourist. Korea currently attracts around 50,000medical tourists annually. The government has revisedimmigration rules to allow foreign patients and their families toget long-term medical visas and has altered laws to permit localhospitals to form joint ventures with foreign hospitals.

Source: Biomedme

Korea Marks US$55 M of Tourism Surplus in 2009

September 21, 2010,Ministry of Culture, Sports andTourism, attributed the rise to the visa documentation processbeing simplified for Chinese visitors, as well as Korea's hostingof the 2011 general meeting of the UN World TourismOrganization and a legal framework encouraging medicaltourism to the country.Source: ArirangPhilippines

Philippines competes for medical tourists

November 08, 2010, The government and the privatesector have partnered to form Health and Wellness Alliance inthe Philippines. The alliance includes hospitals, clinics, spas,and other medical tourism providers to compete with othercountries. 39 hospitals and clinics around the country are alsoaccredited under the government's medical tourism programme.Source: IMTL news

Tourism department plans to bring in 3.3 millionforeign tourists this year

September 13, 2010,The Philippine Association of Health

Organizations in Medical Tourism promoted Philippines asmedical travel destination in the Employer Health CareCongress and World Medical Tourism Congress in Los Angelesthis September.Source: Tourism Congress

Philippines medical tourism launchesinternational accreditation program

August 12, 2010, A globally-recognized accreditationprogramme has been launched in the Philippines to improve thequality of care among local healthcare providers and developthe country's medical tourism products and offerings.Source: Travel Weekly


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Mexico

Hospitals' Certification Halts Medical TourismGrowth in Mexico

November 23, 2010, Hospital certification delay hasaffected the expansion of medical tourism in Mexico as only fewhospitals have certification for privately insured patients. Thedelay is due to the lack of information on requirements and

processes.Source: Global Insight

MEXICO: Baja business groups launch medicaltourism campaigns

November 10, 2010, Hospitals and clinics in Tijuana havecreated business groups to target the potential U.S. medicaltourists. The business group has launched medical tourismcampaign to attract tourists.Source: IMTJ News

Lebanon

Cosmetic surgery puts new face on Lebanon

November 11, 2010, Lebanon has become a favoritedestination for cosmetic surgery and attracting tourists from Arabcountries like, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan and are alsogetting more patients from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and

Australia owing to low cost factors.Source: The Washington Times

Singapore

Singapore medical tourism business grows

despite competition

November 23, 2010, Singapore is attracting more touristsfrom Russia, Middle East, and Vietnam due to Singapore'sadvanced medical treatments, good service, reasonable prices,and clean & safe reputation. To cater to foreigners, someSingapore medical centers have launched foreign languageoptions on their websites, including Russian and Arabic, andhave also hired translators.Source: The Straits Times

Iraq

Iraq tourism: Slowly but surely

November 16, 2010, Iraq has added new hospitals tofacilitate the country's medical tourism. In Basrah, a newspecialist pediatric hospital accommodating 94 beds is

completed and Turkey's Acarsan Group is going to build five newhospitals costing US$750 Million in Karbala, Basrah, BabilHillah, Missanm, and Nasiriyah.Source: Eturbonews

Israel

Health Ministry to probe Israel medical tourismindustry

November 18, 2010, The Health Ministry has appointed aninvestigation committee to probe the medical tourism industry in

Israel. The committee will help in increasing resources for thedevelopment of medical tourism industry.Source: Haaretz News

Israel ready to attract medical tourism with thegovernment help

October 25, 2010, The Israel Minister of Health aims toupgrade its medical services with an ultimate goal to promotemedical tourism. The government has communicated to allmedical centers and universities to develop cooperation to gainknowledge and experience in the field of medicine.


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UAE

DHA strengthens medical tourism strategy

December 01, 2010,Dubai Health Authority has signedMoU with the MTA to strengthen the medical tourism sector inDubai. The DHA is further building its healthcare capabilities,

policies, and regulations to ensure that it enjoys the sameposition as a healthcare destination and Dubai will also host theregional Medical Tourism Congress in February 2011.Source: TTNworldwide

The UAE Government to raise standards of healthcare and medical tourism

November 2, 2010, The govt. organized council meetingto discuss medical sector services strategy for 2011 to 2013 andto establish a comprehensive global medical system that will

provide high quality medical care services and enhance Dubai'sposition as a destination for medical tourism. The emirate'sstrategy include better health, gaining the best medical services,ensuring quality, capability, and sustainability.Source: Gulfnews

UAE medical tourism on the rise - expected tobring in AED 6.1 billion by end of 2010

August 8, 2010,The value of medical tourism in the UAEis projected to jump to Dh6.1 Billion by the end of 2010, a seven

percent increase compared to the figures of 2009, according tomedical tourism experts.Source: Albawaba

Turkey

Turkish Airlines supports medical tourism

September 17, 2010,Turkish Airlines has prepared asupport package for Health Care Establishments who invest inmedical tourism. Protocols have already been signed withmajority of health care establishments in Medical Tourism. The

package offers special discounts and incentives for those whocome to Turkey for medical treatment purposes.Source: Turkish Airlines

Korea promotes medical tourism to attract protontherapy patients

July 15, 2010,The Government of South Korea has invitedDOTmed News and other media outlets and organizations toSeoul to get the word out about the proton therapy center withinKorea's National Cancer Center in order to become a "radiationvacation" destination.Source: Dot Med News

Iran

Iran Eying Stronger Medical Tourism

October 25, 2010,Iran has initiated proper measures tofacilitate visit to Iran by foreign patients. The country will alsohost the first "Healthy travel" conference of the Organization ofthe Islamic Conference (OIC) and around 80 representatives ofthe 57 OIC member-countries will attend the event, which willhelp in promoting the medical tourism in the country.Source: FARS News Agency

Sri Lanka

Ayurveda to play a dominant role in tourism

November 12, 2010, TheSri Lankan Government ismoving ahead to make 2011 - the year of Visit for travel andtourism. The country's indigenous medical practice - Ayurvedatoo is going to play a dominant role in the country's drive towardsmedical tourism.Source: Asian Tribune

Colombia

Colombia: New Emerging Medical TravelDestination

November 10, 2010,The Colombian government haslaunched a new strategy to promote the country's already highquality and low-cost health services and make them compatiblewith international patients' expectations. The government has

planned "Fam-trips" and international trade fairs as main tools topromote Colombia as a top medical travel destination.Source: Pr- Canada


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Medical-Tourism-Trends---Dec'10.pdf