Medical Tourism - An Introduction

Medical Tourism is expected to be a 100 billion dollar industry. The main reason for the high growth is the long waiting period for medical procedures, non-availability of medical services and the high cost of treatment. In recent years the medical tourism industry has gained the status of a nationalised industry in more that fifty countries.

Earlier, people used to travel abroad to get treatment for procedures like knee or hip replacement, which were essential for the survival of a person. With changing times people travel abroad to get medical tourism procedures such as reproduction procedures (surrogate pregnancy, artificial insemination and laboratory fertilization which may be considered unethical or anti-religious in their country) and cosmetic surgery.

Medical tourism procedures available vary depending on the country, and no one country is popular for all procedures. People travel to the South American country of Colombia to get cosmetic and transplant surgeries done. China is well known for its stem cell treatment that it provides. India is famous for hip replacement and heart surgeries; whereas New Zealand is a recognised medical tourism destination for fertility and non-acute surgical procedures. Germany on the other hand is famous for Cancer and Spine related surgeries.

So it is important that you are aware of the medical treatments which are offered in various countries before you plan treatment.