The medical tourism industry has been booming in Asia for quite a while now. In fact, some Asian countries are consistently on the lists for the most popular medical tourism destinations! The standard of care is phenomenal and these Asian destinations are beautiful places to recover from a medical procedure. Here are the top five medical tourism destinations in Asia!
Thailand
The government in Thailand has placed a high focus on fostering their medical tourism market, and the work has certainly paid off. The “Land of Smiles” boasts an impressive medical tourism market, with 66 JCI accredited hospitals in the country. That’s the highest number of any country in Southeast Asia! The JCI, or Joint Commission International, accreditation is important because it indicates that a facility has achieved certain standards for safety and quality of care, two things that put the mind of a medical tourist at ease when choosing a facility for their procedure. The World Health Organization has called Thailand’s healthcare system “world class,” an impressive nod from an important group. Procedures Thailand is known for include breast implants, dental procedures, and gender reassignment surgeries.
Singapore
Long known as the best medical tourism destination in Southeast Asia (some say this title has been overtaken by Thailand, however), Singapore is an excellent choice for your medical tourism trip. While the cost of living is known to be quite high, the cost of healthcare in Singapore remains low – especially for those traveling from somewhere like the US. The patient experience in Singapore is unrivaled among Asian countries, with more than 15 hospitals dedicated entirely to medical tourists – staffed with English speaking doctors and well accustomed to foreign patients. Facilities in Singapore boast cutting edge technology and patients report high satisfaction rates. While the costs of procedures may be slightly higher than in surrounding countries like Thailand or Malaysia, patients willing to pay a little more (although still far less than they would at home!) for the best possible standards of care should consider making Singapore their medical tourism destination. Top procedures include hip and knee replacements, cardiac surgeries, fertility treatments, and cancer treatments.
India
Along with Thailand and Singapore, India is one of the top three most popular medical tourism destinations in Asia. In fact, these three countries account for roughly 90% of Asia’s medical tourism market. India’s physicians and surgeons are highly trained in their practice and deliver quality care to international patients. Due to foreign investment in the industry, India’s medical tourism market is only going to grow. There are also many agencies that cater to medical tourists, helping to arrange everything from visas to accommodation to sightseeing. Patients traveling to India for medical care can expect to save up to 85% on their procedures. Alternative medicine, cardiac surgeries, bone-marrow transplants, and hip replacements are some of the most common procedures for medical tourists in India.
Malaysia
An emerging medical tourism destination, Malaysia should be on your list of possible locations to take your medical tourism trip. The health ministry in Malaysia regulates the prices charged by private medical facilities, meaning the cost of care remains reasonable even at the best facilities. Malaysia is one of the top destinations for medical tourists coming from other Asian countries, who often travel there for low-cost routine screenings and checkups. Malaysia is also a popular medical tourism destination for Muslim patients, with physicians and surgeons who are familiar with Muslim customs and facilities offering Halal food and prayer rooms. There are a number of facilities in Malaysia that staff international doctors who speak English and European languages, and these facilities welcome thousands of international medical tourists every year. Cosmetic surgeries, weight loss surgeries, and orthopedic procedures are common for international patients in Malaysia.
South Korea
For patients seeking only cosmetic surgeries, South Korea is the perfect choice of medical tourism destination. Home to a robust beauty industry and hundreds of beauty clinics, it should be no surprise that the cosmetic surgery market in South Korea is also among the very best. The South Korean government is very welcoming to medical tourists, having built facilities for international patients and making it easy to obtain visas for visitors coming to receive medical care. The medical technology in South Korea is also internationally regarded as some of the best — robotic surgery technology is currently in development! The most popular procedures for international patients include all kinds of cosmetic and plastic surgery.
Medical Tourism Insurance
Whether you are planning to travel to an Asian country or another part of the world for your medical tourism trip, we have insurance products that can help reduce your risk. Reach out today to learn more.
