subject: Health Care Without Borders? [print this page] Health Care Without Borders? Health Care Without Borders?
Mexico is hoping to expand its tourist industry to include visitors with heart conditions and cataracts. Indeed, medical tourism, where foreigners travel abroad in search of low cost, world-class medical treatment, is gaining popularity in countries like Mexico. The field has such lucrative potential that Mexican President Felipe Calderon called for Mexico to become a "global health destination." And, with prices at a fraction of those in the US, Canada or Britain, the concept will likely have broad consumer appeal if people can overcome their prejudices about health care in developing countries. Though the quality of health care for the poor in countries like US is undeniably low, private facilities offer advanced technology and procedures on par with hospitals in developed nations. One Mexican hospital director maintains, "In a corporate hospital, once the door is closed you could be in a hospital in America."Health and medical tourism is perceived as one of the fastest growing segments in marketing Destination Mexico' today. While this area has so far been relatively unexplored, we now find that not only the ministry of tourism, government of Mexico, but also the various state tourism boards and even the private sector consisting of travel agents, tour operators, hotel companies and other accommodation providers are all eying health and medical tourism as a segment with tremendous potential for future growth.
What's called medical tourism patients going to a different country for either urgent or elective medical procedures is fast becoming a worldwide, multi billion-dollar industry.
The reasons patients travel for treatment vary. Many medical tourists from the United States are seeking treatment at a quarter or sometimes even more than half of the cost at home. From Canada, it is often people who are frustrated by long waiting times. From Great Britain, the patient can't wait for treatment by the National Health Service but also can't afford to see a physician in private practice. For others, becoming a medical tourist is a chance to combine a tropical vacation with elective or plastic surgery.
Countries that actively promote medical tourism include Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica, Hungary, India, Israel, Jordan, Lithuania, Malaysia and Thailand. Belgium, Poland and Singapore are now entering the field. India is considered the leading country promoting medical tourism, but still Mexico's medical infrastructure, the quality and affordability is better than those supposed health care leaders.
Mexico's National Health Policy declares that treatment of foreign patients is legally an "export" and deemed "eligible for all fiscal incentives extended to export earnings." Government and private sector studies in Mexico estimate that medical tourism could bring between $1 billion and $2 billion US into the country by 2014. The reports estimate that medical tourism to Mexico is growing by 30% a year.
The more people get comfortable with the Internet and higher prices on health care it is easy to lure foreign patients, including from developed nations such as the US, Canada and Britain.
As more and more patients from Europe, Canada, the US and other affluent nations with high medicare costs look for effective options, Mexico is pitted against India, Thailand and some other Asian countries, which have good hospitals, salubrious climate and tourist destinations but too far.
While Mexico with their advanced medical facilities and built-in medical tourism options have been drawing foreign patients to the border. The rapidly expanding demand for high quality care on treatments at affordable prices is on the rise.
But, things are going to change drastically in favour of Mexico, especially in view of the high quality expertise of medical professionals, backed by the fast improving equipment and nursing facilities, and above all, the cost-effectiveness of the package. Medical tourism in Mexico or affordable health care in Mexico is the new trend among North Americans when seeking quality health care close to home.
The Medical Tourism Association and their sponsors have been misleading the medical patients to foreign places like India, Thailand or Turkey and insist they have better and affordable health care than us! But people have smarten up and now a days it is easy to research and find good quality health care. The answer is Mexico, we have some of the top Specialists in cardiology, infertility, orthopedic with lower prices than India and cleaner more modern facilities.
We have JCI accredited hospitals and well known surgeons with excellent safety record. Our Infertility Vida Institute directed by Dr. Efrain Perez Pea with 70% success rate and excellent results at a fraction of the cost in most places. We also represent the only JCI hospital in Jalisco, Hospital Mexico Americano with the latest in technology for cardiology.
Joining The Quality Care Mexico Network is Vida Integra a Weight loss Wellness Center
for treating patients with diabetes and obesity. Integra Weight loss Center is the first and only center that participates and collaborates in clinical studies with Weill Cornell New York Presbyterian Hospital Surgery Center. So why travel to foreign places with foreign religion or customs for at least a 20 hours long flight one way and 20 more on your way back? With over 14 direct flights from US and Canada your best choice is and will be Mexico with Quality Care Mexico "health care without borders"........
