Medical Tourism Thailand
Posted on March 14, 2007
Filed Under Destinations
Medical tourism in Thailand is a rapidly growing industry. Also known as; healthcare travel; health tourism; and medical travel, this is one of the most important segments of the Thailand’s tourism and health-care sectors. In 2005, one Bangkok hospital took in 150,000 treatment seekers from abroad.
Cost is one of the biggest attractions to westeners. For example a coronary artery bypass surgery at Bumrungrad International hospital would cost around US$12,000, as opposed to $100,000 back in the States.
Thailand’s lower labour costs mean significant savings on procedures, especially compared to hospitals in the USA. You also get a more personalised level of nursing care than you would in hospitals back home.
It’s not just westeners that choose Thailand as the number one health tourism destination. Other Asians (many from Japan) come here for low cost, high quality medical treatment. In Bangkok General Hospital, they have a Japanese wing and the Phyathai Hospitals Group provides interpreters in over 20 languages (as well as English).
The standard of healthcare in Thailand is highly regarded in the USA. The US Consular information sheet rates the Thai healthcare system highly on quality, especially the facilities in Bangkok. Most doctors in Thailand actually hold US professional certification.
Thailand has been a top healthcare travel destination for quite some time. Over one million people travel here each year and it has a growing number of hospitals with JCAHO accreditation.
Risks and Rewards
Medical tourism does carry risks. If there any complications you might not be covered by insurance. Also, you might not be able to seek sufficient compensation through malpractice lawsuits. Having said that, malpractice insurance does constitute a large part of the costs in the west.
That said, Thailand can offer everything from cardiac surgery to organ transplants at a price significantly lower than in the USA or Europe, in a safe, clean environment.
In most cases you’ll be able to communicate with the doctors/surgeons prior to departing for your medical treatment. Sometimes you can even meet “face-to-face” through video conferencing.
Primary Medical Tourism Destinations Thailand
Some of the top healthcare travel establishments in Thailand include; Bangkok International Hospital; BNH Hospital; Bumrungrad Hospital; and Samitivej Hospital…
Bangkok International Hospital
Bangkok International Hospital has first class facilities and is widely recognised as the leader in medical tourism within Thailand. It’s also home to some of the latest advancements in medical treatment.
BNH Hospital
The BNH Hospital has been around since 1898. It was formerly called the “Bangkok Nursing Home”. It has a long tradition of dealing with foreign patients and has won various coveted awards.
Bumrungrad Hospital
The Bumrungrad is one of Thailand’s leading hospitals. It offers a wide range of services available for overseas patients; it even has an International Department, dedicated solely to foreigners.
Samitivej Hospital
The Samitivej Hospital is located on Sukhumvit Road right in the centre of Bangkok. It forms part of a group of hospitals and has branches in the Srinakarin area of Bangkok as well as Sriracha in Chonburi.
Primary procedures:
Cosmetic Surgery in Thailand
Typical cosmetic services in Thailand include; chin lifts; breast enhancements and reductions; and rhino surgery. In Thailand you’ll find international-standard cosmetic surgery at local prices.
Laser Sight Correction in Thailand
There are a number of lazer clinics (Lazik clinics) in Thailand where they provide the same service you would receive at home but at a significanly lower price.
Cosmetic Dentistry in Thailand
Thailand has a number of clinics offering a wide range of cosmetic dentistry services. Popular treatments include; laser and chemical teeth whitening and corrective surgery. Again, treatment reaches international standards but costs are a lot lower.
Thailand has become one of the most popular medical tourism destinations in the world because of its extremely high standards, world-class facilities, state of the art hospitals, and of course, low costs.
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