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Medical

Alternative Medicine – Avenue for Medical Tourism

2011/12/06 – 7:14 AM

The history of alternative medicine is a rather interesting one, and has its
origins in traditional methods of medicine. Alternative medicine has been
in existence since time immemorial. Being a primeval science, this medicinal
system has been known to man since the early days of his time on Earth. Using
natural ingredients to prevent and cure most illnesses has perhaps been man’s greatest foray into medical science. Traditional medical practitioners aimed at prevention of diseases associated with an increase in resistance of the human body. As an expert rightly pointed out, “The study of the history of alternative medicine is fascinating on a variety of levels, not just concerning other and often better ways of preserving and restoring health.” Practised for thousands of years, alternative medicine includes systems like
Acupuncture, Ayurveda and traditional Asian medicine. Alternative medicine branches
out from the Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments and
therapies. CAM is often combined with formal, conventional medicine, integrating
both medical practices, in order to give the best results to patients. It can be said that
the earlier methods of medicine were attempted at achieving a balance between bodily
and natural energy. Energies were sought as positive and negative energies, where
positive energies were to bring in happiness and health and negative energies an
incapacitation of resistance to face any ailments. Matters of utmost importance in
deciding therapies or treatments in these earlier medical systems were factors like
one’s lifestyle, one’s habits of eating and one’s occupational pressures. The earliest use of traditional remedies dates back to 2800 BC in China.
Practised all over the world in more than a hundred disciplines, alternative medicine
has aided medical tourism in an unprecedented manner. Using alternative medicine
and following alternative medical practices not only removes any possible additional
affects of the illness but also increases the resilience of the body. It is generally
claimed that natural remedies are not only less inimical to human physiology
but they also help in retaining body pliancy. Systems of natural, traditional
medicines use a combination of ingredients to restore the bodily constituents. In
fact, natural remedies are considered more as food, given their natural constituents.
Since alternative medicine is based on completely natural methods and there is
no usage of any chemicals, there is no danger of any interference with the organic
system. A holistic approach as opposed to looking at a set of symptoms and a
treatment that delves into the root-cause of an illness are some of the distinct and
highly acknowledged features of alternative medicine. It is also opined that
widespread use of modern medicine has deteriorated the immune system in the
human physiology and has resulted in these modern medicines becoming less
effective. It is also often said that alternative medicine is the only way to cure
some incurable diseases. A Brief History of Alternative Medicine
 The history of alternative medicine can be traced back to some 5000 years, when the Chinese and Indians discovered traditional and Ayurvedic therapies to heal the body and the mind. The real objective was to identify the deterrents in the body system which caused ailments, and
strengthened the body’s immunity. The therapies mainly incorporated self-care, lifestyle
changes and various preventive measures. The normal practices that were followed in the early stages of the history of alternative medicine include the extractions of the bark of willow trees. Many kitchen ingredients were also used for treating patients. The treatments were considered as the blessings of God, as it brought immense relief to the writhing bodies and prayer was considered as one of the strongest weapons in waging war against ailments.
Source: “A Brief History of Alternative Medicine”, http://www.med-help.net/med-history-of-alternativemedicine.
html Alternative Medicine and Medical Tourism Today, alternative medicine holds out immense potential in attracting medical
tourists. For example, India is likely to become a major hub for medical tourism,
with revenues from the industry estimated to grow from US$333 million in 2007
to US$2.2 billion by 2012, says a study by the Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) and McKinsey.3 The major competitive advantages that India faces are cost
effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
The world has witnessed the development of many traditional as well as modern
systems of medicine in the 20th century. Path-breaking discoveries like penicillin,
technological advancements in modern surgery, major research advancement in stem
cell research and genetic structure, and the development of traditional medical systems
like traditional Chinese system of medicine, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Homeopathy,
Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and others have all been a part of developments in the
omnipotent territory of global medicine. The major competitive advantages that India
has are cost effectiveness and traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Naturopathy.
The last few years have seen countries with their own individual expertise attracting
tourists from all over the world and promoting medical tourism like never before. India In India, medical tourism in alternative medicine has its ancestry in South India
and some places in North-Eastern India. Internationally famed for its natural remedies and therapies, Kerala’s schools of medicine have embraced Siddha,
Naturopathy and Ayurveda in treating their patients. These traditional medical
practices are estimated to attract high-end medical tourists from Europe and
Middle Eastern countries. The vital advantages that a country like India faces
with regard to medical tourism are its traditional therapies like yoga and Ayurveda
combined with tourist attractions in states like Kerala and north-eastern states.
Naturopathy, a therapeutic system based on natural remedies, trusts natural
elements like air, water and sunlight, combined with therapeutic massages and
conditioning and toning of the human body. Naturopathy believes that the human
body has the capacity to heal on its own, provided it is in a healthy environment.
With a holistic approach to well-being, Naturopathy believes that the three
physical entities – the physical body, the supernatural soul and the mind – must
be integrated through natural energies. “A recent survey shows that 76% of global
drugs are consumed by USA and European countries. We believe that freedom
from diseases and drugs can only be achieved by living a natural life style.”4
Ayurveda, the most ancient health care system, takes its ingredients from nature.
The use of herbs, materials like gold and mercury and many household ingredients
make this science easily accessible to common man. Ayurveda claims to cure diseases
like diabetes with the aid of nature. The Siddha medical system, which is a part of
Ayurveda, employs herbs, minerals and advanced scientific techniques under ancient
principles of medical science to cure many chronic diseases. It is named as one of
the most complicated and intricate forms of medicine. Siddha considers nature
and man as one essential entity. It claims that physiological characteristics like
human aging can itself be arrested with natural remedies.

Naturopathy has evolved medical tourism in India in more than one ways.
With its systems of medication using all natural ingredients to restore the holistic
disease-fighting nature of the human body, the medicine has created increased
chances of its own survival through tourists from all parts of the world visiting
India to reap its benefits. As Vitthal Kamat of the Kamat Group of Hotels says,
“With Naturopathy and Ayurveda along with the world renowned tourist attractions
and heritage places, the tourism sector can grow in leaps and bounds.”5 Naturopathy
in “KayaKalp”, a naturopathy centre in Himachal Pradesh, run by the Vivekananda Medical Research Trust in India has served medical tourists in detoxifying, immunizing and rejuvenating through Yoga, Pranayama, Panchkarma, Meditation and Naturopathy. Its therapies are claimed to be drug-less and extremely natural. Naturopathy takes the help of Ayurvedic preparations for healing processes like Panchkarma and improvement of blood circulation. India’s pioneer in alternative therapy – medical tourism, Kerala, has visitors
from all over the world in the months of June, July and August. These months are
looked upon as the best period for cure of bodily ailments through Ayurveda.
High quality medical facilities provided at low prices are the main tourist attraction
in Kerala. Mr. M Narayanan, head of Poovar Island Resort says that there are
tourists from countries like Australia, Europe and Germany. The packages offered
in these Ayurvedic spas include services like Ayurvedic oil massages, powder
massages, vegetarian diets, detoxification programs and a lifestyle change. In fact
it is little known that Ayurveda includes not just massages, but a whole gamut of
services like herbal and natural diet plans, natural healing therapies, and therefore
a full-fledged medical system. Ayurveda Gram, a unique Ayurvedic Institution in Bangalore offers Ayurveda
in its wellness form to medical tourists. It offers services like Customized Yoga,
Pranayama, Meditation, and a vegetarian diet to boost metabolism. Its sprawling
campus full of medicinal herbs and natural surrounds helps in the processes of
cure for specific ailments like Arthiritis, Spondilytis, Cholesterol, Sinusitis, Peptic
Ulcer and Obesity. Other therapies by Ayurveda Gram include Stress Management
therapies, Panchkarma and rejuvenation therapies. AYUSH, the department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha
and Homeopathy was formed under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act,
1970. One of the most recent awareness activities undertaken by AYUSH was a
health fair organized in parts of Hyderabad, Chennai, Indore and New Delhi.
AYUSH ensured that the major Ayurvedic, Unani and Siddha manufacturers in
India participated in this health fair. Another famous Ayurvedic centre in India is the C V N Kalari Centre for
Ayurveda. Kalari is one of the approved Ayurvedic centres recognized by the
Kerala Tourism Department.6 Kalari has its customers from many foreign countries. The centre specializes in Marma Chikitsa (the application of pressure on specific
nerve points) and other special practices of healing. Having both therapeutic and
rejuvenative aspects in them, these specialized healing procedures take extensive help
of Ayurveda to treat the ailing.
Some Ayurvedic resorts have formulated Ayurvedic kitchens that help improve
the effectiveness of oil treatments. Diet regimens, detoxification programs and other
processes that give a glowing skin to the customer are very popular. Some of these
Ayurvedic resorts also arrange for cooking classes to help their customers acquire
and maintain the lifestyle that they are introduced to in these spas and resorts.
Ananda, an Ayurvedic Spa in the Himalayas is one of the most famous destination
resorts in India. It offers specialty Ayurvedic packages like Aroma therapy massages,
reflexology programs for rejuvenation, stress release programs, personalized Yoga
sessions, body composition analysis and weight reduction programs through Yoga
and Ayurveda. Ananda claims that its packages and therapies cure many ailments
like headaches, nausea, climatic disorders, facial paralysis, insomnia, asthma, neuralgia
and does general improvement of metabolism. China The 3000 year-old method of traditional medicine in China has gained popularity
as the world’s most popular medicine, being used by more than a quarter of the
world in treating even chronic diseases like cancer, AIDS, allergies and heart diseases.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses medicinal herbs, therapeutic exercises
and acupuncture to cure ailments. TCM diagnoses illnesses based on the five elements
theory and the yin-yang theory. The five elements theory base their evaluation on the
five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water to establish a connection between
human physiology and pathology and the natural environment.7 The movement of
these five elements constantly rules the functioning of the human body and thus
establishes the interdependence of both. The yin-yang theory calls for comprehending the bright and dark sides of
the universe, in other words, the opposite properties of the universe.8 The relative
nature of yin and yang represents the interrelationship between substance and function. As traditional chinese medical practitioners say “Only with ample
substance can the human body function in a healthy way; and only when the
functional processes are in good condition, can the essential substances be
appropriately refreshed.” Chinese herbal medicine is more known as Chinese materia medica. This includes
Chinese crude medicine, prepared drugs in pieces, traditional Chinese patented
medicines and simplified Chinese medicinal preparations. Chinese herbology, a major
aspect of TCM addresses the art of combining medicinal herbs.10 It visualizes the
entire human body’s balance of energies and spirit to treat a medical condition.
Herbs are combined into different potions of various characteristics for the sake of
different individuals being treated by TCM practitioners. Herbs like Astragalus,
Ginkgo, Ginger, Green Tea, Siberian Ginseng and Garlic are used to treat several
ailments. Around 300 mineral and animal extracts and 400 formulae are used to
cure diseases, in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture, as part of TCM is used to unblock the flow of vital energy through
the human body.11 One of the oldest healing techniques in the world, this traditional
method aims at “restoring health through simulation of specific points on the body.”12
Ailments like nausea, addictions and some kinds of pains are claimed to be treated
with the help of acupuncture. Taking advantage of its abundant human resources, China is luring medical tourists
into its web of alternative medical therapies. Wellness packages in China come at
low costs and without any side-effects, thanks to proliferated Traditional Chinese
Medicine. Several massages and spas have been set up in recent times that provide
mental health and physical well-being to medical tourists with the help of Chinese
medicinal herbs. Wellness apartments are established for the purpose of serving
senior medical tourists. These wellness apartments facilitate these tourists in
practising their own hobbies and also conducting medical activities like Taiji. Germany Germany’s alternative medical practices have their origins in Homeopathy, a
medical system that was developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician.
Homeopathy considers symptoms as disturbances of vital forces that have
connection with the human body. Homeopathic advocators believe that this
medical system has the ability to cure acute diseases like flu, cold, pains, depression
and fatigue, constipation, irritability other than chronic diseases. It is claimed to
cure allergies and allergic disorders like Eczema and Asthma. Moreover, this
medical system is child friendly, in the sense, that the medication given by
homeopaths is sweet to the tooth and therefore acceptable. Homeopaths are known
for debonair and their hands free treatment of patients. They concentrate more
on the patient’s state of mind and attitude towards life. The preparation of different
potions in Homeopathy is done mostly with the help of herbs, minerals and
animal extracts. Also, it is often reasoned that since the dosage that homeopaths
prescribe is in such minute constitutions and because they come in dilutions of
substances like water and alcohol there is no chance of any side-effects.
Germany also stands famous for its herbal remedies. Regulated by Commission
E14 on the purity and pharmaceutical activity, these herbal medicines in Germany
have come a long way in preventing and curing many diseases like cancer, AIDS and
other serious ailments. Most physicians in Germany are required to be educated in
Alternative therapies, so that it serves complimentary to modern medical treatments.
As Mark Blumenthal, chairman of the American Botanical Council points out, “Most
of the clinical research that’s conducted on the leading herbal medicines in the United
States comes from Germany.”15 With more than 300 spa towns, Germany has become the premier destination
for health and wellness in Europe.16 One of the most famous resorts in Germany
is the Baltic Spa Resort in Warnemunde. Situated on the shore of the Baltic Sea,
it idealizes the sea as a “homeopathic pharmacy” and claims that “it contains all
important trace elements and has a similar composition to human blood”17 Sea water is said to have revitalizing effects in treating bodily ailments like respiratory
illnesses, sleep disorders and obesity. Other than these, mental disorders like
depression, anxiety and agony are claimed to be cured with the help of the sea.
Sea breeze is said to be specifically effective in treating cardio-vascular as well as
dermatological conditions. Major advantages that Germany faces are in terms of
both cost and quality. As Axel Steller, the CEO of the Arab German Health
Foundation points out, “In the US, operations are four to five times more expensive
as they are in Germany”. Japan Japanese medicine is known as Kanpo or Kampo, a herbal medicine that forms part
of well-researched modern clinical methods and also traditional methods of
medicine. A Japanese variant of the traditional Chinese medicine or the Oriental
medicine, Kanpo adheres to the body’s natural instincts and natural mechanism
of healing. For this purpose, medical treatment involves diagnosis of the tongue,
abdomen and pulse. At each stage of the treatment, different formulae that are
necessary to bring the body back to normalcy, are prepared by the physician.
These herbal medicines are regulated by the Japanese Government. Kanpo
medicine is used to cure many acute and chronic ailments like cardio-vascular,
respiratory, digestive, reproductive and dermatological conditions and immune
system corrections and even disorders like bedwetting, high cholesterol and
hepatitis. Though Kanpo therapies take longer than usual to work, this medical
system uses some very natural diagnosis and treatment methods and concepts
like water, blood and air to identify bodily symptoms. Also, it is claimed that
these herbal medicines produce no side-effects because of their natural
compositions. Japanese therapists of Anma visit countries like India and Singapore
to help in promotion of health tourism. Anma, a traditional Japanese massage, is
said to be a complete form of Shiastu19 that treats the body to release blood flow
in a proper manner to rejuvenate the body. Apart from attracting tourists for its natural herbal medical treatments, Medical
tourism in Japan has become popular thanks to its volcanic areas that have allowed
the formation of some hot mineral water springs called Onsen. Japanese Onsen serve as places where the ailing can get alternative treatments to modern medical
practices. These have medicinal properties that heal wounds, alleviate pains and
replenish energy levels. Senior tourists and people suffering from many kinds of
aches and pains come flocking to these mineral water springs. The healing
properties of these springs are accentuated by the surrounding volcanic soil that
is composed of many minerals and curative elements. Outlook of Medical Tourism in Alternative Medicine Alternative medicine is here to stay, claim some traditional medical practitioners.
Given its perceived advantages over the modern medical techniques and the expensive
western medicines, alternative medical therapy is gaining ground in many developing
as well as developed countries. Practices like Ayurveda and Homeopathy claim that
surgery may always be the last option in case of treatment of an ailment. Natural
medicines like herbs and minerals can all be partaken as food and not medicines as
such, since their composition is all natural. Alternative medicine is used in conjunction
with modern medicine to treat many chronic ailments like diabetes and AIDS. This
helps modern medical practitioners to evolve a closer relationship with the patient
and cure him to a greater extent, thus giving him a new perspective to life. It follows
that one should never overlook the disposition of the traditional cures suggested by
our ancestors. These provide a standpoint from where one can comprehend the
profundity of traditional and alternative medicine, and gauge the tremendous potential
of alternative medicine in medical tourism. Please seek author’s permission for reprint. Send a reprint request to kirrti82@gmail.com. References
1. www.hinduonnet.com
2. “Kerala”, www.takekerala.com
3. “Prospects of Medical Tourism in India”, www.mpiweb.org
4. “Medical Tourism push for Penang and Langkawi”, http://thestar.com.my
5. www.wikipedia.com

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Medical

Medical Tourism Network Thailand, Study Report

2011/12/06 – 7:05 AM

on approval of the strategic plan to develop Thailand as a “Medical Hub of Asia”, the plan aims to promote related sectors consist of medical care services, health promotion tourism, and Thai herbal & health products. The core business in the medical care services is the private hospitals and the number is now up to 256 private hospitals all over the country. In addition, there is more than a hundred of private hospitals be able to accommodate the foreign customers. Since 2002 the number of foreign customers in Thailand is high and has risen every year. There were 1.42 million foreign customers using medical care services in Thailand and created revenue up to 37,300 million Baht particularly in 2007. The medical care services distribute revenue to other linkage industries, for example, pharmaceutical, medical equipment, medial tourism, hotels, restaurants, etc.; consequently, the growth bring about job creation and economic expansion overall. Accordingly, the importance of those businesses to tourism industry caused Tourism Authority of Thailand to study “the Structure of Business Investment in the Medical Tourism Industry” related to the major industry : private hospitals and its linkage industries in order to obtain useful data to further develop strategies and policies to promote and bolster the medical tourism industry. Purposes of the Study

Increase the competitiveness of the entrepreneurs and investors of both large-sized enterprises and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Support medical tourism-linkage industries.
Promote investment in the tourism industry.
Reduce investment problems and obstacles in dealing with the government sector.

Scope of the Study

Target group : The target of this study can be divided into 3 groups as follows;
Major industry entrepreneurs: The names of the private hospitals with the potential to accommodate foreign tourists or customers were sorted out from the official national private hospital list of Therapeutic Disease Division, Department of Health Support Services, Ministry of Public Health (Data on September 2008). It is found that there are 132 private hospitals nationwide which are eligible for this study.
Linkage industry entrepreneurs: 37 linkage industry entrepreneurs with the potential to accommodate foreign tourists or customers were chosen by purposive sampling so as to be the sample of each industry.
Experts and policymakers: 12 medical tourism public organizations and associations were chosen.

Major competing countries: The potential competing countries in the same region with the goal to promote their medical tourism and to attract foreigners to use medical care services within their countries, namely, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and South Korea were chosen.
Target areas: In this study, the target areas are divided into 3 areas by the potential in terms of tourism and medical care services, and in each area, there are potential private hospitals as follows;
High Potential Tourism Provinces : 92 Potential private hospitals.
Medium Potential Tourism Provinces      : 29       Potential private hospitals
Border Provinces : 11       Potential private hospitals

Terms: Medical Tourism refers to the traveling with the objective to obtain medical care services in standard hospitals or medical centers. The activities include treatments, health prevention and health rehabilitation, for example, check-up, medical treatments, dentistry, cosmetics surgery, transsexual surgery, etc. This study disregards holistic health or health promotion tourism Potential private hospital refers to the hospital which fulfils the following criteria:

Provides medical care services with modern medical equipment and technology by specialist doctors, convenient and quick services with hospitality, and has the potential to support foreigners. There should be health treatments services, e.g.
Medical Check up
Medical Treatments
Dental Treatment
Lasik
Cosmetic Surgery / Plastic Surgery
Physical Therapy

Target foreigners including;
Leisure Tourists
Medical tourists who intend to use medical care services, excluding wellness tourists who intend to use healthy services, e.g. spas, Thai massage and etc.
Expatriates

Has the potential to accommodate foreign tourists with supporting facilities and personnel, such as
Having personnel to take care of foreigners, e.g. interpreters and the foreign client care staff, etc.
Having facilities for foreigners, e.g., rooms, international foods, cable TV, magazines, and etc.

Private hospitals can be divided into 3 sizes as follows;

A small sized hospital refers to the hospital with 31-50 beds.
A medium sized hospital refers to the hospital with 51-150 beds.
A large sized hospital refers to the hospital with more than 150 beds.

High Potential Tourism Provinces refers to a major tourism destination with the high potential to provide tourism and medical care services, including the following provinces.
 

Bangkok Metropolitan Area and its vicinity
Central Region                    Hua Hin – Cha-am Districts (Prachuapkhirikhan and Phetchaburi)
South Region                      Phuket and Koh Samui (Suratthani)
North East Region                Udonthani
North Region                      Chiang Mai
East Region                                    Pattaya (Chonburi)

Medium Potential Tourism Provinces refers to a minor tourism destination with the moderate potential to provide tourism and medical care services, including the following provinces.
 

Central Region                    Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, and Ratchaburi
South Region                      Songkhla (Hatyai), Trang, Krabi, Nakhonsithammarat,Ranong and Chumphon
North East Region                Nakhonratchasima, Khon Kaen and Loei
North Region                      Nakhonsawan, Phitsanulok, Maehongson and Sukhothai
East Region                                    Rayong and Chanthaburi

Border Tourism Provinces refers to a tourism destination or area connected to the neighboring countries which has the moderate potential to provide tourism and medical care services, including the following provinces.
 

Chiang Rai
Tak
Mukdahan
Nong Khai
Ubonratchathani
Nakhonpanom
Sakaeo
Trat
Yala (Betong)

Cheap price (not expensive) means having lower medical costs with the same medical service provided by other countries. Worth money means the satisfaction obtained after using services. Although the expense is higher, the consumer is willing to pay and feel worth money with reasonable price. Business partnerrefers to an organization or a company which has some degree of involvement with one another, for example, being suppliers, customers, and distributors, etc. This includes the businesses linkage to raw materials, intermediate goods, final goods, and services. The business which can share their customers with each other is also included. Generally, business partners usually support each other’s business operation. Distributor refers to a general person, a legal person, or an organization which is officially assigned as a product and/or service distributor of a particular company or organization. 1.) Situation of Global Medical Tourism Medical tourism gains high popularity from tourists around the globe. Regarding the data provided by “Bworldonline” and “ITRI Industrial Economics & Knowledge Center, IEK”, it is stated that in 2005 there were 19 million medical tourists worldwide, generating revenue of up to 20,000 million US dollars in total. It is also projected that this industry would be larger, double in size in fact, equivalent to 40 million medical tourists worldwide or revenue of 40,000 million US dollars in 2010. There are several important factors facilitating the growth of medical tourism industry as follows; First, most people of developed countries, especially the US, are not in the public health insurance system. Regarding the report of the US Census Bureau conducted during 2007-2008, it is found that 86.7 million Americans or 29% of all do not have any health insurance. Second, the US health service costs tend to continuously rise, resulting in an increase in medical costs. Currently, the US has the world’s highest medical costs. Third, the medical care services in developed countries, e.g. the US, Canada, England, Sweden, Italy, etc. usually have a long waiting list, so it takes very long time to access the services in those countries. Fourth, the medical costs in developing countries and Asian countries are significantly cheaper than the costs in the US and the European countries. Fifth, currently, the quality of medical care services in developing countries and Asian countries is equivalent or even higher than the one of developed countries. Sixth, due to the cut off the rising medical costs of some large sized companies in the US, they tend to prefer medical outsourcing by letting their staff get medical treatments abroad with lower medical costs. Major Market Leading Countries Currently, Asia is considered as the world’s highest potential medical tourism continent and generates revenue of up to 3.4 billion US dollars from foreigners’ expenses, or equivalent to 12.7% of the global market, which is estimated to be 26.77 billion US dollars in total. In fact, the growth of medical tourism in Asia is projected to grow at a CAGR of 17.6% during 2007-2012.
 
www.tourisminvest.tat.or.th(Source)
Medical Tourism Network

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Medical

Med Journeys – Safe Medical Tourism

2011/12/06 – 7:00 AM

Medical tourism, also called medical travel, has been going on for years and shows no signs of stopping – as a matter of fact, the industry is growing – yet many people have legitimate concerns about the practice of traveling outside of the united states for medical purposes. Chief among those concerns is, understandably, safety.

Safety is always on the wise traveler’s checklist of worry. Especially when traveling to a country with a low median income such as those that attract medical traveler’s. Add to those mundane concerns the normal issues facing a patient on the way to the doctor or hospital as well as the questions a regular patient doesn’t have to ask: will my medical provider speak English? Is the hospital in a safe area? Do the staff adhere to AMA standards of practice and equipment?

Weighed against these concerns are the many benefits of medical travel. Specifically the opportunity to see a foreign country and have a desirable or necessary medical procedure at a fraction of the cost of the procedure alone back home in the USA. Furthermore, many procedures are not covered by standard medical insurance or are outright forbidden. Going across a border eliminates that from the equation. Then there is the extra recovery time that money savings affords you. Naturally none of these benefits outweighs a botched medical procedure, unsafe practices or a dangerous or unhygienic destination. So how is the potential medical traveler to proceed?

First, find a medical tourism liaison such as Med Journeys that has a network of internationally accredited hospitals in secure locations. A reputable medical travel company with customer testimonials and a track record of successful facilitations is the ticket to a safe and fulfilling medical travel experience. Such a company will have inspected the hospital to which it will send you and ensured they are properly certified. JCI is the standard certification, and many hospitals throughout the world adhere to that standard.

First and foremost on the medical tourist’s mind is usually cost, and that is alright. Low cost medical care is usually the medical traveler’s primary motivation. When considering safety, let cost be a foregone conclusion. Your medical tourism company will be doing everything to find you the best fit, price included. But the biggest concern should be one simple question: Is medical travel safe. And the answer is, if you employ the simple step of engaging a reputable facilitator, yes.

A medical travel facilitation company takes the guesswork out of traveling overseas for a medical procedure. They know each hospital’s track record, what country is best for what medical discipline and how to get you the very best cost combination possible while keeping your travel risk free.

Medical travel is a growing sector with a growing number of consumers AND facilitators, making it more reliable than ever. Undertaking medical travel without a professional facilitator is generally not a safe proposition. Think of it as being akin to seeking a medical procedure without a doctor’s advice. At best it’s a gamble, at worst it’s a tragedy waiting to happen.

In this age of affordable, reliable travel and ever-climbing medical standards medical travel can be as safe as a trip to your local hospital. Be sure to research your medical tourism company well. Do they have client testimonials? A wide selection of hospitals and countries? A history of success? If so, you’re on the path to a positive experience. If not, keep looking – the right facilitator is out there waiting for you to find them.

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Medical

Rising costs of insurance policies led to more individuals considering medical tourism

2011/11/30 – 9:05 AM

Time has changed and with time its various notions. 60 is the new 40. Age is no more a hindrance in the lives of people,they want to live and experience everything defying the bars of age. And for prolonged lives people are becoming health conscious. Initially getting insurance policies seemed to be the safest bet. But with changing lifestyles and sedentary habits, the risks of diseases have also increased in manifolds and therefore the premiums on health insurance too.
The insurance companies consider every detail of an individuals life such as-History of medical issues, Ill health in past, Age, Weight, Occupation, amount of travel, smoking, drinking.On basis of the aforementioned factors,they advice an insurance policy considering all the health problems which can arise during a persons lifetime. But this policy most of the time proves to be a really costly affair for a person. And the expenditure is many times more than the actual cost.

Therefore, there has been a paradigm shift towards other green pastures such as “medical tourism”. Medical tourism is the practise of a patient “outsourcing” health-care services to an area outside of his/her home country. Along with availing medical services, the medical tourist can also involve themselves in some leisure activities in foreign lands. In medical tourism, patients have an advantage of travelling to foreign lands where they can avail treatment at a low price.
India is gathering fame in the medical tourism markets. The Indian advantage lies in the fact that the cost of treatment is comparatively very low in India, A kidney transplant which costs about $2,00,000 in the US is performed at $20,000 in India. Along with the low cost, large pool of efficient doctors and surgeons in India and less waiting periods have led a large amount of people from west and middle east to travel to India.
Patients are finding it better to spend money on treatment on foreign lands rather than getting involved in the costly quagmire of insurance policies. Medical tourism has come a long way and it will continue to grow by leaps and bounds.
For More information on medical Tourism or Treatment option abroad Please Contact

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Medical

Four things to check out for picking right medical tourism company!

2011/11/30 – 8:50 AM

There are lots of people getting attracted towards medical tourism company as they are the ones that can provide high quality services that too at cheaper prices. In case you are also looking forward to it you will find innumerable companies out there but then you need to make sure that you have selected right one. Here are five things that can help you to pick out right medical tourism company for your medical needs:
Recognition or certification by a genuine medical tourism organization:
Medical Tourism Association is the foremost as well as international nonprofit making association for the medical tourism and global healthcare industry. The main aim is to offer best quality of health care services for the patients that are in requirement of it. In case the medical tourism company you are looking forward to has MTA certification then it shows that it has met the excellence standard in health care.

Good relationship with JCI accredited abroad hospitals:
JCI refers to Joint Commission Accreditation and it was launched in 1999 for offering standards to the hospitals. These standards are basically given for international usage. This will help the international patients to find out whether the particular hospital meets international quality or not. The companies that have great links with JCI should be preferred. In case you do not pay attention to this then there are chances that you might have to compromise on quality.
Organised team with medical background:
It is quite certain that the company is related to medical tourism which means that it is from the medical industry and so should have people that are from medical background who are into handling the stuff related to it. In fact the staff should be with inspiring educational background.
Assistance relating to travel and vacation:
Medical tourism has gained so much popularity for not only providing quality services and cheaper price but also for providing travel opportunities. Hence it is essential that you check out medical tourism company that also offers assistance regarding vacation and travel packages. This will include everything from visa and travel bookings to airport support, mobile phones, telephone card, international airlines bookings, etc.
These are the four things that you need to check out in order to get right company for medical tourism. So what are you waiting for check these fur points and get best treatment along with vacation for yourself!

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Medical

Get medical treatment in cheap and efficient way through medical tourism company!

2011/11/30 – 8:34 AM

In case you are very sure about some treatment being very costly for you to afford then one of the very good thing about which you can think of is medical tourism company as it is one of the cheap as well as efficient way to get treatment from outside country. This has been possible mainly due to the advents made in the medical field in the developing countries as well as globalization.
 
Now it is possible for you to get affordable treatments throughout the world. In case your budget does not allow you to get the treatment within your own country then this can be a very good option for you. In case you are the residents of developed country then this can possibly your choice.
 
There are many countries in the world wherein the health care facilities are very expensive and the reason behind this is that majority of the medical treatments are included under health taxes. However there are some of the cases in which the cost of the treatment cannot be covered under insurance. In such cases spending much on the treatment can badly hamper your savings.

 
There are chances that you might not be aware but then you need to know that some of the surgeries related to dental or knee replacement can be done through medical tourism companies. When you select this it will prove to be very affordable to you even though you travel to some other country, get operated and get back to your country. In fact you will find that you have saved some amount which you might have to pay otherwise. 
 
This all thing is possible mainly because of globalization. On top of that government in these countries motivate this for the simple reason that they can get foreign exchange in return of the treatment. All these things will actually be managed by the medical tourism company you will apply for.
 
You can ask these companies to search for the cheaper treatment alternatives as compared to your country. From these companies you will be able to get all the information that is required by you and this is possible through their network. They will actually suggest you packages and it is possible for you to customize this as per your requirement.
 
The tour with these companies will comprise of travel expenses, accommodation, medical treatment expense and also site seeing. In case you require personal caretaker it will be provided to you.
 
So are you looking forward to opt medical tourism company for your medical requirements?

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Medical

Medical Tourism Worldwide

2011/11/30 – 8:32 AM

Medical tourism is a huge industry and growing rapidly, because medical assistance and treatment are needed primarily. Travelling within country to seek medical assistance is called medical tourism. People also travel to another country is called cross border medical tourism. There are numerous medical service providers available providing assistance about hospitals, doctors, health insurance, medical packages according to budget and travelling arrangements including VISA.
Medical tourism is alone generating business of $40 billion worldwide with the growth of 15% every year. Hence many countries are promoting medical tourism these days such as India, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, Cuba, Singapore, Jordan and Malaysia and many more. They are providing cost effective medical packages as compare to Europe, America and Australia. For instance a heart bypass surgery cost in USA is $ 1, 35,000 and in India is $ 7,000 approximately. Such price difference is the major reason for medical traveller to travel cross border for medical assistance. However, in Europe, America and Australia most of the expertise belongs to Asian countries. Hence they trust the treatment being provided in these countries. Destination like India, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are preferred by medical travellers because of these countries leisure tourism also.

Many People from Europe, America and Australia travel to seek medical assistance out of their country. However, they have free medical treatment facility in their own countries excluding dental and cosmetic surgeries, but to get this privilege they have to wait longer. Also many people from Middle East and Africa travel abroad for medical assistance. The reason is they don’t have advance infrastructure and technologies in their own country with highly qualified expertise. People from Asia may travel within another country in Asia like India, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore etc or travel to Europe and America to seek medical assistance.
If we concern about cost, these days some countries in Asia like India, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore providing cost effective medical packages. These countries have advance infrastructure and technologies with highly qualified medical professional. They have selling slogan “First world treatment at third world price”. This means patients find quality treatment like Europe and America at the best low possible price.

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Medical

Sound health is now more affordable due to medical tourism

2011/11/30 – 8:15 AM

It is true that world has come very much closer with globalization, privatization and liberalization. But it has definitely become healthier because of Medical tourism. Anyone who has a bit of knowledge about the variations in the costs of medical health around the globe can surely understand this concept very easily.
Very few people were able to relate medicine with tourism in the initial phases of medical tourism. The main reason for this was that according to a large population tourism was meant only for healthy people who visited the foreign destinations either to see different sites, meet their loved ones, for sports or for business purposes. Though exceptionally, people went abroad for medical treatments but that too not for cost effectiveness, but due to unavailability of medical care in their domestic nations.

It is today that the world has discovered a very cost effective way of getting medical treatments abroad through the means of medical tourism. Without it no one could have ever imagined that a patient suffering from ailments as severe as cancer to visit a foreign country all on his own, admit himself in a hospital for his treatment and comeback safely without needing anyone else to be with him or her.  This would surely have been considered a joke a few decades ago.  But today it has become possible because of health tours arranged by various medical tour companies.
You must be curious to know about what kind of packages must be offered by these companies. There are chances that even you know someone who needs such a service. For your information these tourism companies are very professionally run and have their web portals online. You can just go to the search engine and type the related terms to find out several companies offering medical tours for selected ailments such as dental surgery, knee replacement, heart surgery, cancer treatment etc. you just need to check out what destinations they have tie ups with and are they reachable to you. Usually you can discuss these facts on a contact number provided on the websites.
Medical tourism is certainly a very affordable way of finding cure for your diseases if they either are not available in your home country or are rather expensive to fit in your budget. You also need not worry about the quality of treatment since the difference between the costs is not due to any kind of compromise with the quality but due to purchasing power differences in the currencies of different countries largely.

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Medical

Health Tourism in India (where a patient travels to another country for medical treatment)

2011/11/30 – 8:14 AM

Health Tourismis a concept where a patient travels to another country for medical treatment in order to save costs, or get treatment faster or even to avail of better medical facilities. Most patients from countries like USA and UK travel to developing countries such as India for treatment because India offers some of te cheapest pricing options of treatment, offers a good holiday, there are no waiting lists or queues to stand in, the doctors are comparable to anyone in the world and finally, language does not pose a problem as most people speak English. 
To make this medical tour convenient medical tourism facilitator like www.medicyatra.com is offering all the support to make the traveler’s experience memorable.

Why would someone travel to India and not to Thailand ?
Although the cost difference between treatment in India and Thailand is not much, India offers what you call a language advantage – a patient would surely prefer a country where English is widely spoken. Also, it is believed that the facilities in India are more suited for International patients.
India is also working hard to increase it’s infrastructure to better suit the needs of patients coming to India for treatments such as heart surgey, knee replacement, other orthopaedic treatments, cosmetic surgery, eye care, dental treatment or any other treatment for that matter. This is one of the primary fields which India intends to explore during the coming years.
How can you trust Indian Doctors?
Well, many highly qualified doctors have had some form of training from abroad , specially USA and UK. Indian surgeons and doctors are known for their skill and research throughout the world.India is known for its Doctors Worldwide.
India has over 150000 medical tourists each year and this figure is rising at a high pace. Some recent programs recently on BBC and CNBC have reinstated the fact that medical tourism is a good idea if – you want to save costs, you need the treatment to be done at your time and convenience, you need a high quality budget incorporated.

For more information visit www.medicyatra.com
connect with us on facebook @ www.facebook.com/medicyatra.

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Medical

Take Advantages o Infertility Treatments in India and Enjoy the Bliss of Parenthood

2011/11/30 – 8:10 AM

Infertility basically is considered to be the inability of a person to conceive. Both men and women can suffer from infertility. A woman can also be termed infertile when she is not able to carry the child for the entire term of pregnancy. There can be various causes of infertility. Those include tubal problems, problems regarding ovulation, sperm problems, age related problems and there can also be unexplained infertility. There are several clinics in India which offer infertility treatments to the couples trying to reproduce. The range of treatments offered by those clinics is vast.
Basically 3 types of treatments are provided to cure fertility problems. The categories include assisted conception, surgical treatments and medicines to improve fertility.
The medicinal method is primarily used in case of female infertility. Medicines administered by doctors, help in regularizing and normalizing the ovulation process. Ovulation is the process in which eggs get released from ovaries in women which may be fertilized by the sperm of a man. When ovulation does not occur normally or gets delayed, fertility problems occur in women. Hormones called gonadotrophins control ovulation. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormones keep the ovulation regulated in females. If there is any kind of problem in secretion of these hormones, infertility may occur. Medicines like Clomifene, medicines containing gonadotrophins and Metformin can be prescribed to treat infertility.

Doctors may also advise to opt for surgical solutions. Surgery can be conducted to treat fallopian tube related problems. In some women the tubes may be blocked, in others it may be scarred due to accidents, infection or disease. The keyhole surgery will help in removing such problems in the tubes. Women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome can undergo surgeries in the ovaries known as ovarian drilling. Heat is applied to destroy the cysts in ovaries thereby curing infertility in women. Women suffering from Endometriosis can also undergo surgery to cure infertility. Blockage of sperms due to problems in epididymis in males can be treated through surgery.
Finally the assisted conception method can also be opted for by couples to have baby. The first process if IUI or Intrauterine Insemination. A plastic tube is used to place sperm in the uterus of the woman. The advantage is that the fertilization can be timed by artificially placing the sperm while the woman is ovulating. However, one must have healthy fallopian tubes so that the egg can pass through the tube and reach uterus. IVF or In Vitro Fertilization is a process where fertilization takes place outside the body. Eggs and sperms are fertilized by mixing them on a glass and keeping them in a laboratory. The objective is to form an embryo from there. That is why this process is also known as ‘test tube’ process.
GIFT or Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer is another process in which fertilization is done outside the body but the fertilized egg is again placed in the fallopian tubes or uterus. ICSI or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is a process in which a sperm is injected in the egg directly. This is normally used in case of male infertility or low sperm count. Egg donation is also another method which is similar to IVF.

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