Health Tourism News

Thailand is high up there on the list of the most visited medical tourist destinations. And why not, the country has some top quality hospitals, well-qualified doctors and endless miles of sandy white beaches – not to mention beautiful climate and a rich, eclectic culture. In fact, it’s a medical tourist’s ‘paradise on earth’.

The Thai Government has also gone the extra mile to ensure that an continuous stream of tourists are making their way to the country’s hospitals and exotic island resorts. The Government has designated the next two years as the Thailand Investment Year 2008-2009 with a strong focus on medical tourism. Of the 15.7 million visitors expected to visit Thailand this year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims for nearly 1.4 million medical visitors.

Most of the medical tourists who visit Thailand come from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom and the Middle East. The Bumrungrad Hospital, the Bangkok General Hospital and its affiliates Samitivej Hospital and Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital are very popular with medical tourists. Almost 40%-60% of the patients in these hospitals are medical tourists from western countries. The majority of the patients that visit these hospitals from abroad come in for some major surgery. Orthopedic procedures, heart and cosmetic surgeries are commonly performed on medical tourists. These visitors stay in these top-notch hospitals for a week or two before heading to a resort to rest, recuperate and enjoy a vacation by the beach.

Cost is a major aspect that lures in tourists to Thailand. The fact that a bypass surgery costs just one tenth of its cost in the USA is a key deciding factor for many tourists. Also, the Thai Government has invested heavily in the infrastructure of hospitals in and around prime tourist attractions. Equipment and management standards in most of these hospitals meet ISO standards. Thai doctors and surgeons are as qualified as their western counterparts with many having specialized training from hospitals in US and Europe.

All in all, a medical tourist who heads to Thailand gets to enjoy the best of both the worlds – world-class healthcare and an out-of-this-world vacation. And all this at an affordable cost. Now, who wouldn’t be interested in such an inviting proposition?