Health Tourism In The Far East

The health tourism industry is booming, and with countries like Singapore vying for a niche in the industry, travelers have the best opportunity to combine medical treatment with a vacation to the beautiful land that is also known to be a shopper's paradise. The country has a reputation for cleanliness and a high standard of private medical care. Rather can concentrate only on offering low medical fees, the country stresses on providing travelers with state-of-the-art medical facilities and an infrastructure that can be compared with the best in the world. A number of medical, dental and alternative therapies await medical tourists to the island.

English speaking medical staff that go about their duties in a structured environment is what makes Singapore an ideal place for health tourism. Even though the country may be more expensive than places such as Thailand and India, the costs of medical procedure are still around half of what US hospitals and clinics charge. Many of the surgeons are trained in the US, which is a major advantage for patients. Patients have the opportunity to recover in the ultimate vacation-like atmosphere and experience the country's great food and rich and diverse culture. Some of the popular procedures that foreign patients opt for are cardiac surgeries, hip and knee replacements, cosmetic surgery, dental surgery, and alternative medicine.

Singapore is home to a significant Chinese population that practice traditional Chinese medicine for a number of ailments. Several health spas offers a range of therapies that include herbal medicine, acupuncture treatments, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, and hot stone massages.

Thailand is another country whose rulers and government are committed to making the nation the leading international health tourism destination. Blessed with natural beauty, a rich culture, amazing food and first class medical facilities, Thailand is the perfect choice for many tourists seeking to combine a medical procedure while on vacation. Cosmetic and dental procedures can be undergone at less than half the cost than countries such as UK and USA.

Affordable airfares and a large English speaking population make Thailand the ideal destination for health tourism. Private hospitals and clinics are equipped with high-tech equipment and are capable of performing heart procedures, hip and joint replacements, and many other types of surgeries. Hospitals are geared towards receiving foreign visitors and have the requisite accreditation from institutions like the JCI or Joint Commission International. Moreover, it is easy to get a second opinion since there are a number of hospitals and physicians that can be consulted prior to undergoing surgery.

Thailand's cosmetic surgeons are well known for performing face lifts, breast augmentation, and tummy tucks procedures - and loads of dental care procedures. A number of successful sex reassignment surgical procedures that include vaginoplasty and facial feminization surgery have been conducted in the country. Dental surgeons are equally renowned with many foreign patients making over three trips in a year for extended dental surgery. A majority of the population practice alternative medicine that can be found at many of the country's wellness spas. Yoga and meditation are also considered a major part of the healing process. Steam baths, saunas, and massages of every kind await the discerning traveler and that too, at an affordable price.