Global healthcare tourism will be worth $100 billion by 2012

Posted on 19. Apr, 2011 by admin in News

Arabian Travel Market has revealed its plan to introduce a dedicated pavilion for the medical tourism sector at the 2011 show (May 2-5), initiatives that are supported by the rise in healthcare travel.
According to consultants McKinsey and Company, global healthcare tourism will be worth $100 billion by 2012. In a recent survey published by Dr. Prem Jagyasi, 35 countries were recognised as healthcare tourism providers of which the UAE came eleventh.
Services typically sought by travelers include elective procedures as well as complex specialised surgeries such as joint replacement, cardiac surgery, dental surgery and cosmetic surgery. However, virtually every type of health care, including psychiatry, alternative treatments, convalescent care are available.
Many healthcare professionals have agreed that price is driving much of this fledgling industry sector. According to the University of Delaware in the US, the cost of surgery in India, Thailand and other Asian Destinations can be one-tenth of what it is in the United States or Western Europe. For example a heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the US, costs of cosmetic surgery is even cheaper.
With the development of the 435 acre Dubai Healthcare City, the UAE is positioning itself as the regional centre of excellence, rather than trying to compete with lower cost destinations such as Thailand and India and others.“The UAE is clearly promoting itself as a quality destination for medical tourism,” said Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director, Arabian travel Market. Dubai in particular has invested wisely in healthcare infrastructure. Over the last few years 14 hospitals have been accredited to Joint Commissions International standards in the US, the world’s leading accreditation organisation.

Tags: healthcare travel.medical tourism