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Contrary to appearances, medical tourism is not an invention of the last century. Its roots go back to antiquity. Before the Greeks began to lay votive offerings depicting healed body parts in the temple of Asclepius, the tribes inhabiting modern Switzerland traveled to today’s Germany and France to iron-rich waters. In 2018, the global medical tourism market was worth nearly $ 59 billion, and forecasts for 2026 were $ 142,2 billion. However, something unforeseen happened.
- We consider the city of Epidaurus, where the temple of the Greek god of medicine Asclepius was located, to be the cradle of medical tourism.
- Until the mid-XNUMXth century, medical tourism was the domain of wealthy people
- Last year, Poland was ranked 29th in the ranking of the most attractive countries for foreign patients
- Dubai, Abu Dhabi, UAE and Saudi Arabia have become emerging stars in the global health tourism market
- The coronavirus pandemic caused a 94 percent drop in revenues for Thailand’s top hospital serving foreign patients
- You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page
Medical tourism was born a few thousand years ago
More than four thousand years ago, the Sumerians built healing complexes around hot springs with sanctuaries equipped with flowing pools. The temple of Asclepius, the god of medicine, in ancient Greece was both a hospital and a sanatorium. Medicines for various ailments manifested themselves during sleep. In Epidaurus, situated on the Saronic Gulf, the ruins of this building have been preserved, and today we consider this place to be the cradle of medical tourism.
The Romans built resorts with thermal spas, and the barbarian tribes inhabiting Europe at that time visited the hot springs. Yoga and Ayurvedic medicine developed in the East.
In the Renaissance, Europeans rediscovered the healing properties of hot springs. In the XNUMXth century, people became interested in recreational activities. The seaside resorts of Great Britain were built with the belief that sea water and the local air had a healing effect.
The spa’s mineral water was used to treat skin infections, digestive ailments and rheumatism. In Switzerland, other cities grew up around the healing springs (St. Moritz, Lausanne, Interlaken and Baden). People also came to Austria (Vienna), Hungary (Budapest) and Germany (Baden-Baden and Wiesbaden) for treatment.
The construction of the railway increased the influx of patients to distant resorts. With the advent of the industrial revolution, new technologies translated into numerous innovations in the field of medicine.
In the early XNUMXs, the United States drew the attention of patients around the world. The country has become a must-see for anyone looking for the most modern standards of medical care. Wealthy patients from developing countries preferred to be treated in European and American medical centers instead of at home.
This tendency began to reverse at the end of the XNUMXth century. Less affluent Western patients began to travel to the Far East, Latin America and Eastern Europe, where they were provided with a treatment quality similar to their home country at a much lower price. And when, incl. due to the appearance of low-cost airlines, travel costs began to fall, treatment abroad became even more profitable. The medical tourism industry has entered a phase of exceptional development.
What are the trends in medical tourism?
The reasons for going abroad for treatment vary depending on the patient’s country of origin. The main reasons for travel from so-called developed countries to developing countries are lower prices and comparable quality of medical care.
However, there are also opposite situations. Patients go to highly developed countries because they do not have access to the most modern methods of treatment or because innovative therapies are used only there.
In some countries, such as Thailand, you can submit to practices that are not allowed elsewhere. The main reason for medical trips to developing countries is dental treatment and cosmetic surgery. In rich countries, newcomers treat cancer and apply stem cell therapy. In contrast, Thailand and Turkey lead the way in plastic and cosmetic surgery, including sex reassignment.
An interesting example of a country worth visiting for treatment is also Cuba. Medicine under Fidel Castro was the apple of the apple of the eye of the socialist authorities and stood there at a really high level. In Cuba, it is possible to treat diseases that until now were considered incurable, such as the diabetic foot. Additionally, the therapeutic methods developed there are not used anywhere else.
Since 2014, the International Medical Tourism Association has published a ranking of the most attractive countries for the industry. The quality of services, medical facilities, standard of facilities and their surroundings are assessed. Last year, Poland took 29th place in this ranking (out of 46 countries). The most attractive countries are: Canada, Great Britain, Israel, Singapore and Costa Rica.
The medical tourism market flourished until the end of 2019
Most people choose the option of treatment abroad, when it comes to comprehensive dental treatments. In old Europe or the USA, a Hollywood smile costs a lot. Citizens of Western European countries go to Eastern Europe, and citizens of the United States go to Mexico. For four implants in the US we will pay about 15. dollars, and in Latin America less than half of that. Even with the cost of travel and subsistence added, the game is worth the candle.
Asian countries such as Thailand, India, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea have become the destination of millions of Americans seeking high-quality and affordable dental care, cosmetic, orthopedic and bariatric surgery.
European countries, including France, Germany and Poland, are also trying to get a slice of a billions-of-dollar cake. Specialized medical centers have been established in the Middle East, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia to compete in the global health tourism market.
As competition increased, the service network began to expand. New marketing strategies have emerged. In 2015, Turkish Airlines introduced a 50% discount on airline tickets for people who will benefit from Turkish healthcare. In 2017, the Indian government introduced a medical visa, allowing foreign patients to stay in the country for up to 60 days. The visa also provides for the possibility of entering India three times a year. In the United Arab Emirates, you can also purchase a special medical tourism package, covering the costs of treatment, accommodation, transport and recreational activities for foreign patients and their families.
The UAE’s marketing strategies have proven to be profitable. Medical tourism-related air traffic grew and the value of the medical services market in 2018 was over $ 3,3 billion (compared to $ 2,2 billion in 2014). The value of the Indian medical tourism market has also increased by 18%, reaching $ 2019 billion at the end of 9.
Will medical tourism survive the pandemic?
The coronavirus pandemic has been ruining the global economy for several months. It also practically reduced the number of trips. The medical tourism industry is among the most affected. Does it have a chance to survive?
Due to widespread financial difficulties, the limitation or suspension of many air connections, and the suspension of the operation of intermediary agencies, medical tourism has practically disappeared.
In the first week of June 2020, the number of flights from the USA fell by 65,1%. Compared to the same period in 2019. Likewise, the number of Chinese airline passengers has decreased by around 87 million, and some experts say the entire sector will recover over the years.
Many facilities specializing in the treatment of foreign patients have canceled planned procedures, and leading medical tourism centers are struggling to survive. One of Thailand’s top hospitals serving overseas patients, Bumrungrad Hospital saw a nearly 94 percent drop in revenue in the second quarter of this year, from $ 23,2 million last year to $ 1,4 million. The hospital, where more than half of the patients are foreigners, estimates that the closure of the borders will reduce its income by 46 percent.
It is true that governments and tour operators offer foreign visitors more and more attractive packages, but the situation has not improved yet. Mexico launched the # Come2MexicanCaribbean program in mid-June. Tourists joining the program receive a number of bonuses, including free hotel stays and car rentals. Healthcare is also trying to revive a dying business. Introduced, inter alia, free insurance in case of coronavirus infection. Services are launched that enable direct telephone access to doctors of various specialties.
Either way, the future of medical tourism remains uncertain. Only the further course of the pandemic will ultimately decide whether and when it will start functioning again.
See also:
- How tourism contributed to the second wave of the COVID-19 epidemic?
- I study myself – because I want to live – a nationwide social campaign has been launched
- Controversial diseases that didn’t really exist
- They made Polish medicine famous
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