Medical tourism or health tourism:
Is the travel of people to another country for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment in that country.
Traditionally, people would travel from less developed countries to major medical centers in highly
developed countries for medical treatment that was unavailable in their own communities,
The recent trend is for people to travel from developed countries to third world countries
for medical treatments because of cost consideration, though the traditional pattern still continues.
Another reason for travel for medical treatment is because some treatments may not be legal in the
home country, such as some fertility procedures.
Is the travel of people to another country for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment in that country.
Traditionally, people would travel from less developed countries to major medical centers in highly
developed countries for medical treatment that was unavailable in their own communities,
The recent trend is for people to travel from developed countries to third world countries
for medical treatments because of cost consideration, though the traditional pattern still continues.
Another reason for travel for medical treatment is because some treatments may not be legal in the
home country, such as some fertility procedures.
Medical Tourism in Medellin, Colombia
Medellin’s prestige as an important center for medical treatment and
aesthetic procedures has spread beyond the country’s borders to accomodate
patients from all over the globe! Every year, thousands of foreigners from
Central America, the Caribbean, Israel, Spain, England, Italy and the United
States come to the city of Medellin for medical procedures.
The most common treatments are plastic surgery, refractive surgery, dental
procedures, transplants as well as treatments related to heart problems and
cancer. Most clinics and hospitals are now aware of their international reach
and have appointed staff to assist foreign patients. As well, third party groups
have organized to help assist the medical tourism industry including Salud Sin
Fronteras (Health without Borders).
There are many factors that help to make Medellin a leading city in this
emerging industry.
LOCATION – One of the first and foremost factors is the amazing climate the
city enjoys experiencing spring-like weather year round. This is mainly due to
its location in the highland tropic regions of the northern Andes mountains. The
near perfect weather makes recuperation as enjoyable as it can be and the after
care quality is top notch to boot.
DOCTORS – Also a factor is the sheer amount of well qualified doctors and
surgeons in the city that come from prestigious medical schools such as the
University of Antioquia, the University Pontifica Bolivariana, the Fundación
Universitaria San Martín and the Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud (CES) to name
a few. Many doctors and dentists graduate and specialize from these medical
institutions and centers. As well, a good number of local health professionals
pursue their studies abroad, where they have the opportunity to receive
additional training and expertise.
COST – Cost of treatment is a big incentive for most who decide to take the
trip to Medellin for their elective surgery/procedure. Often times as much as
50% less than that of comparable procedures in the USA, Europe or elsewhere, it
is easy to see how many patients ultimately choose Medellin as their destination
of choice in the emerging medical tourism industry.
Medellin’s prestige as an important center for medical treatment and
aesthetic procedures has spread beyond the country’s borders to accomodate
patients from all over the globe! Every year, thousands of foreigners from
Central America, the Caribbean, Israel, Spain, England, Italy and the United
States come to the city of Medellin for medical procedures.
The most common treatments are plastic surgery, refractive surgery, dental
procedures, transplants as well as treatments related to heart problems and
cancer. Most clinics and hospitals are now aware of their international reach
and have appointed staff to assist foreign patients. As well, third party groups
have organized to help assist the medical tourism industry including Salud Sin
Fronteras (Health without Borders).
There are many factors that help to make Medellin a leading city in this
emerging industry.
LOCATION – One of the first and foremost factors is the amazing climate the
city enjoys experiencing spring-like weather year round. This is mainly due to
its location in the highland tropic regions of the northern Andes mountains. The
near perfect weather makes recuperation as enjoyable as it can be and the after
care quality is top notch to boot.
DOCTORS – Also a factor is the sheer amount of well qualified doctors and
surgeons in the city that come from prestigious medical schools such as the
University of Antioquia, the University Pontifica Bolivariana, the Fundación
Universitaria San Martín and the Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud (CES) to name
a few. Many doctors and dentists graduate and specialize from these medical
institutions and centers. As well, a good number of local health professionals
pursue their studies abroad, where they have the opportunity to receive
additional training and expertise.
COST – Cost of treatment is a big incentive for most who decide to take the
trip to Medellin for their elective surgery/procedure. Often times as much as
50% less than that of comparable procedures in the USA, Europe or elsewhere, it
is easy to see how many patients ultimately choose Medellin as their destination
of choice in the emerging medical tourism industry.