Over the last 20 years medical tourism has continued to grow rapidly, spreading out from mainly the US to other countries in Europe, Asia and recently, Africa. Travelling patients who seek medical attention do so either due to the lack of facilities, lack of medical expertise or high costs of medical care in their home countries.

The avoidance of waiting time may also be a factor for medical tourism especially in countries where medical expertise is not a problem such as the UK or the US.

Medical transplants, cosmetic or complex cardiovascular and dental surgeries among a number of other reasons are the most sought after by many international patients. Medical tourists are subject to a variety of risks, which may include deep vein thrombosis, tuberculosis, amoebic dysentery, paratyphoid, poor post-operative care and many more.

As at 2014, the market size was estimated at USD 38.5-55 billion, based on approximately eleven million cross-border patients seeking medical care worldwide. Its rapid growth over the years, caught the attention of the US based Joint Commission (JC) who launched an international affiliate body for accreditation of international hospitals – the Joint Commission International (JCI ), years back in 1999.

In order to receive the Gold Seal of Approval from the JCI, an international hospital must meet the same set of rigorous standards set forth in the US by the Joint Commission. More than 600 hospitals and clinical departments around the world have now been awarded JCI’s Gold Seal of approval and the number has been growing by about 20% per year.

Below are top destinations for Medical tourism.

Jordan
In 2012, through their Private Hospitals Association, Jordan managed to attract 250,000 international patients accompanied by over 500,000 companions. Having a total revenues exceeding 1B US$. Jordan was awarded the Medical Destination of the year award in 2014 in the IMTJ Medical Travel Award.

Israel
Israel is another top destination for medical tourism. In 2010, Israel treated 30,000 medical tourists, mostly from the former Russia.

Iran
This year (2015) it’s estimated that 150,000 to 200,000 health tourists come to Iran for medical treatment. The number is expected to rise to 500,000 in the next 2 years.

South Africa
South Africa is the first country to emerge in Africa as a medical tourism destination. Most international patients travel to South Africa for dental care.

Brazil
In Brazil, Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo was the first JCI-accredited facility outside of the US. More Brazilian medical facilities have since been similarly accredited over the years.

Canada
With about 30 – 60% reduction in cost compared to the US, Canada has a major medical tourism spot.

Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, there are two Joint Commission International accredited (JCI) Hospitals. Both are in San Jose, Costa Rica. The Deloitte Centre for Health Solutions reported a cost savings average of between 30-70% off US prices.

Cuba
Research shows that many Americans are now visiting Cuba to get their nose done, breast augmentation, knees fixed, vitiligo treatment, alcohol and drug rehab, laser eye surgery and so on. We also hear that the numbers are increasing at about 20% per year. This is not leaving out other countries who also visit Cuba for the same reasons.

Ecuador
Ecuador is becoming more recognized as a Medical Tourism destination. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranked Ecuador as the 6th most improved healthcare systems in the world.

United States
The United States happen to be a country on both end of the international patients list. The availability of advanced medical technology and sophisticated training of physicians are cited as driving motivators for growth in foreigners travelling to the U.S. for medical care. Low costs for hospital, citizenship and other factors are cited as major motivators for some tourists who travel to America. The McKinsey & CO. study estimated that 750,000 American medical tourists travelled from the United States to other countries in 2007.

China
China remains a notorious place for medical tourism, but yet a top destination for international patients who need organ transplant. Investigations into organ harvesting have been carried out and Investigative journalist Ethan Gutmann estimates that the “organs of 65,000 Falun Gong and “two to four thousand” Uyghurs, Tibetans or House Christians were “harvested” in the 2000-2008 period alone. It is very likely that each person who travels to China for an organ causes the death of another human.

The risk associated with China is that you may go there for a transplant and end up being used for organ harvesting.

Hong Kong
All 12 of Hong Kong’s private hospitals have been surveyed and accredited by the UK’s Trent Accreditation Scheme since early 2001.

India
India is becoming 2nd medical tourism destination after Thailand. Its medical tourism sector is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 30%, making it a $2 billion industry by 2016.

New Zealand
In 2008, it was estimated that on average New Zealand’s surgical costs are around 15 to 20% the cost of the same surgical procedure in the USA.

Singapore
Singapore has a dozen hospitals and health centres with JCI accreditation. More here: http://www.hfmagazineonline.com/medical-tourism-a-complete-tourist-guide-based-on-facts-and-figures/

cc @lalasticlala